THE ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND'S MISSION IS TO PROTECT THE LIVES AND ADVANCE THE INTERESTS OF ANIMALS THROUGH THE LEGAL SYSTEM. THE ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND ACCOMPLISHES THIS MISSION BY FILING HIGH IMPACT LAWSUITS TO PROTECT ANIMALS FROM HARM, PROVIDING FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY CASE STAKEHOLDERS TO ENSURE JUSTICE FOR VICTIM ANIMALS, SUPPORTING TOUGH ANIMAL PROTECTION LEGISLATION AND FIGHTING LEGISLATION HARMFUL TO ANIMALS, AND PROVIDING RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO LAW STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS TO ADVANCE THE EMERGING FIELD OF ANIMAL LAW.
Executive compensation, broken down
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 8 reported individuals · Filing year 2023
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at Animal-Related organizations in California.
- Base
- $171k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $111k
- Benefits
- $12k
- Base
- $46k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $263k
- Benefits
- $3k
- Base
- $245k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $9k
- Base
- $189k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $12k
- Base
- $154k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $13k
- Base
- $154k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $11k
- Base
- $156k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $8k
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
COO (thru 9/29/23) Above 90th percentilevs Animal-Related peers nationwide | $171k | — | $111k | $12k | $322k $352k |
Executive Director (thru 3/31/23) Above 90th percentile | $46k | — | $263k | $3k | $317k $347k |
Chief Programs Officer Chief Program Officer 75th to 90th percentilevs all sectors nationwide | $245k | — | — | $9k | $266k $291k |
Chief Financial Officer Median to 75th percentile | $189k | — | — | $12k | $201k $220k |
General Counsel Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | $154k | — | — | $13k | $189k $207k |
Litigation Director Highest Compensated Employee 25th percentile to median | $154k | — | — | $11k | $173k $190k |
Communications Director Director (Operational) Above 90th percentilevs Animal-Related peers nationwide | $156k | — | — | $8k | $172k $189k |
Executive Director 25th percentile to median | — | — | — | — | $87k $95k |
Teal figures restate each filed amount in 2026 dollars.
Estimated with BLS CPI-U for the West region, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Plus 13 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2023, the highest total compensation at ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND INC equaled 2% of the organization's total expenses. The median for animal-related organizations is 8%.
Based on 3,692 animal-related 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 32%
from 2022
From $243k in 2022 to $322k in 2023.
Estimated with BLS CPI-U for the West region, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Chief Executive Officer pay rose 66% from 2022 to 2023, while revenue fell 11%.
- Chief Program Officer pay rose 9% from 2022 to 2023.
- Chief Financial Officer pay rose 29% from 2022 to 2023.
Pay for the position itself, not any one person. The officeholder may have changed between 2022 and 2023.
Among peers
Revenue and top compensation, plotted against similar organizations. This organization is highlighted in cyan.
Common questions about ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND INC
What does the Chief Operating Officer of ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND INC earn?
In 2023, the Chief Operating Officer of ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND INC received $321,557 in total compensation. This pay is in the top 10% for Chief Operating Officer roles among Animal-Related organizations nationwide: at least 9 in 10 comparable filings report less. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Chief Operating Officer pay at ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND INC compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Animal-Related organizations nationwide, the 2023 pay of the Chief Operating Officer at ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND INC falls in the top 10%. In 2023, the highest total compensation at ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND INC equaled 2% of the organization's total expenses. The median for animal-related organizations is 8%.
What are ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND INC's revenue and expenses?
In 2023, ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND INC reported $18M in total revenue and $17M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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