Can a Nonprofit Chief Executive Earn a Million?

Connor Boyack says a nonprofit chief executive can make a million dollars or more a year, and a president, including himself, can be paid very generously.

The stereotype is hand-to-mouth work, paycheck to paycheck, for a pittance. In many nonprofits that picture is accurate, and the model does not require it. Pay of a million dollars or more shows up at very large nonprofits with large budgets that can carry salaries of that size. The board has to approve the salary, and the pay has to be reasonable for the value provided, set against the organization's overall budget and mission.

Bonuses are allowed as well. A chief executive can earn extra pay for hitting revenue targets or for fundraising a set amount.