THE BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION, INC. (THE ORGANIZATION") WORKS TO FIGHT WASTE, CORRUPTION, AND INEFFICIENCY IN GOVERNMENT, IN ILLINOIS BY USING INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM TECHNIQUES, LITIGATION, AND PUBLIC POLICY STUDIES TO EXPOSE PROBLEMS, INFORM CITIZENS ABOUT THE OPERATIONS OF THEIR GOVERNMENT AND LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR SUBSTANTIVE LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS.
Executive compensation, broken down
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 8 reported individuals · Filing year 2024
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at Public & Societal Benefit organizations nationwide.
- Base
- $315k
- Bonus
- $73k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $2k
- Base
- $200k
- Bonus
- $23k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $2k
- Base
- $206k
- Bonus
- $5k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $11k
- Base
- $180k
- Bonus
- $5k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $2k
- Base
- $180k
- Bonus
- $5k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $2k
- Base
- $149k
- Bonus
- $3k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $26k
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
President & CEO 75th to 90th percentilevs Public & Societal Benefit peers in Illinois | $315k | $73k | — | $2k | $402k $430k |
VP of Operations Vice President 75th to 90th percentile | $200k | $23k | — | $2k | $229k $245k |
Editor in Chief Key Employee Median to 75th percentile | $206k | $5k | — | $11k | $227k $243k |
Vp, Development Board Vice President Median to 75th percentile | $180k | $5k | — | $2k | $194k $208k |
VP of Policy Board Vice President Median to 75th percentile | $180k | $5k | — | $2k | $194k $208k |
Investigations Editor Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | $149k | $3k | — | $26k | $184k $197k |
Senior Investigative Reporter Highest Compensated Employee 25th percentile to median | — | — | — | — | $138k $147k |
Investigative Reporter Highest Compensated Employee 25th percentile to median | — | — | — | — | $133k $142k |
Teal figures restate each filed amount in 2026 dollars.
Estimated with Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Plus 25 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2024, the highest total compensation at BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION INC equaled 9% of the organization's total expenses. The median for public & societal benefit organizations is 10%.
Based on 2,608 public & societal benefit 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 4%
from 2023
From $386k in 2023 to $402k in 2024.
Estimated with Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Chief Executive Officer pay rose 4% from 2023 to 2024, while revenue rose 5%.
- Vice President pay rose 39% from 2023 to 2024.
- Key Employee pay rose 27% from 2023 to 2024.
Pay for the position itself, not any one person. The officeholder may have changed between 2023 and 2024.
Among peers
Revenue and top compensation, plotted against similar organizations. This organization is highlighted in cyan.
Common questions about BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION INC
What does the Chief Executive Officer of BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION INC earn?
In 2024, the Chief Executive Officer of BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION INC received $401,754 in total compensation. This pay is in the top quarter for Chief Executive Officer roles among Public & Societal Benefit organizations in Illinois, though not the top 10% of comparable filings. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Chief Executive Officer pay at BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION INC compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Public & Societal Benefit organizations in Illinois, the 2024 pay of the Chief Executive Officer at BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION INC falls between the 75th and 90th percentiles. In 2024, the highest total compensation at BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION INC equaled 9% of the organization's total expenses. The median for public & societal benefit organizations is 10%.
What are BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION INC's revenue and expenses?
In 2024, BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION INC reported $4.5M in total revenue and $4.7M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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