To conduct research and provide education on national security and on international terrorism. See Schedule O for full mission
Executive compensation, broken down
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 11 reported individuals · Filing year 2024
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at International, Foreign Affairs & National Security organizations in District of Columbia.
- Base
- $438k
- Bonus
- $323k
- Other
- $89k
- Benefits
- $46k
- Base
- $439k
- Bonus
- $323k
- Other
- $32k
- Benefits
- $39k
- Base
- $387k
- Bonus
- $188k
- Other
- $4k
- Benefits
- $50k
- Base
- $394k
- Bonus
- $150k
- Other
- $5k
- Benefits
- $4k
- Base
- $340k
- Bonus
- $150k
- Other
- $23k
- Benefits
- $30k
- Base
- $325k
- Bonus
- $10k
- Other
- $67k
- Benefits
- $36k
- Base
- $232k
- Bonus
- $105k
- Other
- $690
- Benefits
- $48k
- Base
- $263k
- Bonus
- $38k
- Other
- $1k
- Benefits
- $38k
- Base
- $255k
- Bonus
- $38k
- Other
- $690
- Benefits
- $38k
- Base
- $269k
- Bonus
- $38k
- Other
- $2k
- Benefits
- $18k
- Base
- $269k
- Bonus
- $45k
- Other
- $1k
- Benefits
- $7k
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CEO Above 90th percentile | $438k | $323k | $89k | $46k | $905k $961k |
President Above 90th percentile | $439k | $323k | $32k | $39k | $844k $896k |
SVP Senior Vice President Above 90th percentilevs International, Foreign Affairs & National Security peers nationwide | $387k | $188k | $4k | $50k | $638k $678k |
COO Above 90th percentile | $394k | $150k | $5k | $4k | $563k $598k |
SVP (sr. Advisor Mid Year) Senior Vice President Above 90th percentilevs International, Foreign Affairs & National Security peers nationwide | $340k | $150k | $23k | $30k | $553k $587k |
Senior International Fellow Highest Compensated Employee Above 90th percentile | $325k | $10k | $67k | $36k | $448k $476k |
Vp, Development Board Vice President Above 90th percentile | $232k | $105k | $690 | $48k | $396k $421k |
Senior Director Highest Compensated Employee Above 90th percentile | $263k | $38k | $1k | $38k | $349k $371k |
Senior Director Highest Compensated Employee Above 90th percentile | $255k | $38k | $690 | $38k | $341k $362k |
Senior Director / Senior Fellow Highest Compensated Employee Above 90th percentile | $269k | $38k | $2k | $18k | $336k $357k |
VP Board Vice President Above 90th percentile | $269k | $45k | $1k | $7k | $332k $352k |
Teal figures restate each filed amount in 2026 dollars.
Estimated with Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Plus 23 unpaid individuals.
Browse compensation in International, Foreign Affairs & National Security →
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2024, the highest total compensation at Foundation for the Defense of Democracies Inc equaled 3% of the organization's total expenses. The median for international, foreign affairs & national security organizations is 9%.
Based on 3,895 international, foreign affairs & national security 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.
Held steady
from 2023
From $910k in 2023 to $905k in 2024.
Estimated with Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 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 held roughly steady from 2023 to 2024, while revenue rose 36%.
- Senior Vice President pay fell 23% from 2023 to 2024.
- Chief Operating Officer pay fell 6% 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 Foundation for the Defense of Democracies Inc
What does the Chief Executive Officer of Foundation for the Defense of Democracies Inc earn?
In 2024, the Chief Executive Officer of Foundation for the Defense of Democracies Inc received $905,290 in total compensation. This pay is in the top 10% for Chief Executive Officer roles among International, Foreign Affairs & National Security 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 Foundation for the Defense of Democracies Inc compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at International, Foreign Affairs & National Security organizations in District of Columbia, the 2024 pay of the Chief Executive Officer at Foundation for the Defense of Democracies Inc falls in the top 10%. In 2024, the highest total compensation at Foundation for the Defense of Democracies Inc equaled 3% of the organization's total expenses. The median for international, foreign affairs & national security organizations is 9%.
What are Foundation for the Defense of Democracies Inc's revenue and expenses?
In 2024, Foundation for the Defense of Democracies Inc reported $32.5M in total revenue and $30.9M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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