THROUGH STRATEGIC LITIGATION, COMMUNICATION, ACTIVISM, TRAINING, RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, THE INSTITUTE WORKS TO PROMOTE AND DEFEND THE POLITICAL RIGHTS TO FREE SPEECH, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, AND PETITION GUARANTEED BY THE FIRST AMENDMENT.
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 in District of Columbia.
- Base
- $231k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $1k
- Base
- $198k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $27k
- Base
- $195k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $29k
- Base
- $190k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $27k
- Base
- $160k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $24k
- Base
- $145k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $22k
- Base
- $149k
- Bonus
- $3k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- —
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vice President for Litigation Vice President 75th to 90th percentilevs Public & Societal Benefit peers nationwide | $231k | — | — | $1k | $240k $255k |
Senior Attorney Highest Compensated Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $198k | — | — | $27k | $231k $246k |
Senior Attorney Highest Compensated Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $195k | — | — | $29k | $230k $244k |
President Median to 75th percentile | $190k | — | — | $27k | $223k $237k |
Senior Attorney Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | $160k | — | — | $24k | $189k $201k |
Attorney Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | $145k | — | — | $22k | $171k $182k |
Attorney Highest Compensated Employee 25th percentile to median | $149k | $3k | — | — | $156k $166k |
Chairman Board Chair 75th to 90th percentilevs Public & Societal Benefit peers nationwide | — | — | — | — | $96k $102k |
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 6 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2024, the highest total compensation at INSTITUTE FOR FREE SPEECH equaled 7% 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 2%
from 2023
From $235k in 2023 to $240k 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.
Highest Compensated Employee pay rose 15% from 2023 to 2024, while revenue rose 1%.
- Chief Executive Officer pay rose 8% from 2023 to 2024.
- Board Chair pay held roughly steady 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 INSTITUTE FOR FREE SPEECH
What does the Vice President of INSTITUTE FOR FREE SPEECH earn?
In 2024, the Vice President of INSTITUTE FOR FREE SPEECH received $239,889 in total compensation. This pay is in the top quarter for Vice President roles among Public & Societal Benefit organizations nationwide, though not the top 10% of comparable filings. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Vice President pay at INSTITUTE FOR FREE SPEECH compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Public & Societal Benefit organizations nationwide, the 2024 pay of the Vice President at INSTITUTE FOR FREE SPEECH falls between the 75th and 90th percentiles. In 2024, the highest total compensation at INSTITUTE FOR FREE SPEECH equaled 7% of the organization's total expenses. The median for public & societal benefit organizations is 10%.
What are INSTITUTE FOR FREE SPEECH's revenue and expenses?
In 2024, INSTITUTE FOR FREE SPEECH reported $3.7M in total revenue and $3.6M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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