The American Philosophical Society, the oldest learned society in the United States, was founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin for the purpose of "promoting useful knowledge." In the 21st century the Society sustains this mission in three principal ways. It honors and engages distinguished scientists, humanists, social scientists, and leaders in civic and cultural affairs through elected membership and opportunities for interdisciplinary, intellectual fellowship, particularly in the semi-annual Meetings in Philadelphia. It supports research and discovery through grants and fellowships, lectures, publications, prizes, exhibitions, and public education. It serves scholars through a research library of manuscripts and other collections internationally recognized for their enduring historic value. The American Philosophical Society's current activities reflect the founder's spirit of inquiry, provide a forum for the free exchange of ideas, and convey the conviction of its members that intel
Executive compensation, broken down
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 9 reported individuals · Filing year 2024
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at Arts, Culture & Humanities organizations in Pennsylvania.
- Base
- $341k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $8k
- Base
- $257k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $28k
- Base
- $252k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $43k
- Base
- $232k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $14k
- Base
- $193k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $14k
- Base
- $139k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $26k
- Base
- $114k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $37k
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CEO Above 90th percentile | $341k | — | — | $8k | $376k $405k |
Dir of Library Officer (Unspecified) | $257k | — | — | $28k | $302k $325k |
Financial Offic Officer (Unspecified) | $252k | — | — | $43k | $301k $324k |
CEO Above 90th percentile | $232k | — | — | $14k | $261k $281k |
Development Direct Unclassified | $193k | — | — | $14k | $222k $239k |
Asso Dir of Collec Unclassified | $139k | — | — | $26k | $176k $190k |
Assoc Dir of Colle Unclassified | $114k | — | — | $37k | $160k $172k |
Assoc Dir of Digit Unclassified | — | — | — | — | $147k $158k |
Dir of Grants & Fe Unclassified | — | — | — | — | $133k $143k |
Teal figures restate each filed amount in 2026 dollars.
Estimated with Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into April 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Plus 34 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2024, the highest total compensation at AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY equaled 2% of the organization's total expenses. The median for arts, culture & humanities organizations is 11%.
Based on 17,098 arts, culture & humanities organizations, each measured at its most recent filing year with reported expenses and compensation.
Funded by
Private foundations whose Form 990-PF Part XV grants matched this organization.
Up 19%
from 2023
From $315k in 2023 to $376k in 2024.
Estimated with Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into April 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Among peers
Revenue and top compensation, plotted against similar organizations. This organization is highlighted in cyan.
Common questions about AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY
What does the Chief Executive Officer of AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY earn?
In 2024, the Chief Executive Officer of AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY received $376,275 in total compensation. This pay is in the top 10% for Chief Executive Officer roles among Arts, Culture & Humanities organizations in Pennsylvania: at least 9 in 10 comparable filings report less. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Chief Executive Officer pay at AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Arts, Culture & Humanities organizations in Pennsylvania, the 2024 pay of the Chief Executive Officer at AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY falls in the top 10%. In 2024, the highest total compensation at AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY equaled 2% of the organization's total expenses. The median for arts, culture & humanities organizations is 11%.
What are AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY's revenue and expenses?
In 2024, AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY reported $20.4M in total revenue and $15.6M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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