TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS AND INSTITUTIONS THAT MAKE OUR NATION'S DEMOCRACY STRONG BY WORKING THROUGH THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSES TO PRESERVE THE RULE OF LAW AND HOLD GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE, AND TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THOSE EFFORTS.
Executive compensation, broken down
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 12 reported individuals · Filing year 2023
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at Crime & Legal-Related organizations nationwide.
- Base
- $454k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $29k
- Base
- $217k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $29k
- Base
- $207k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $23k
- Base
- $219k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $7k
- Base
- $221k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $205
- Base
- $176k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $29k
- Base
- $190k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $9k
- Base
- $195k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $174
- Base
- $176k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $9k
- Base
- $156k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $21k
- Base
- $175k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $139
- Base
- $168k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $128
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
President and CEO Above 90th percentilevs Crime & Legal-Related peers in District of Columbia | $454k | — | — | $29k | $492k $538k |
Dir. of Oversight & Engagement Key Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $217k | — | — | $29k | $256k $279k |
Chief of Staff Key Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $207k | — | — | $23k | $236k $258k |
Legal Director Key Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $219k | — | — | $7k | $235k $257k |
Legal Director Key Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $221k | — | — | $205 | $229k $250k |
Strategic Initiatives and Ext Aff Dir Key Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $176k | — | — | $29k | $212k $232k |
Senior Counsel Highest Compensated Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $190k | — | — | $9k | $206k $225k |
Senior Counsel Highest Compensated Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $195k | — | — | $174 | $203k $222k |
Senior Counsel Highest Compensated Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $176k | — | — | $9k | $193k $211k |
Legal Director (until 09/23) Key Employee Median to 75th percentile | $156k | — | — | $21k | $184k $201k |
Senior Counsel Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | $175k | — | — | $139 | $183k $199k |
Senior Counsel Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | $168k | — | — | $128 | $175k $191k |
Teal figures restate each filed amount in 2026 dollars.
Estimated with BLS CPI-U for the South region, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Plus 5 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2023, the highest total compensation at DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION equaled 4% of the organization's total expenses. The median for crime & legal-related organizations is 11%.
Based on 3,267 crime & legal-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 41%
from 2022
From $348k in 2022 to $492k in 2023.
Estimated with BLS CPI-U for the South region, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Chief Executive Officer pay rose 41% from 2022 to 2023, while revenue rose 44%.
- Key Employee pay fell 3% from 2022 to 2023.
- Highest Compensated Employee pay rose 19% 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 DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION
What does the Chief Executive Officer of DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION earn?
In 2023, the Chief Executive Officer of DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION received $492,214 in total compensation. This pay is in the top 10% for Chief Executive Officer roles among Crime & Legal-Related organizations in District of Columbia: at least 9 in 10 comparable filings report less. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Chief Executive Officer pay at DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Crime & Legal-Related organizations in District of Columbia, the 2023 pay of the Chief Executive Officer at DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION falls in the top 10%. In 2023, the highest total compensation at DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION equaled 4% of the organization's total expenses. The median for crime & legal-related organizations is 11%.
What are DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION's revenue and expenses?
In 2023, DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION reported $17.8M in total revenue and $13M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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