FOUNDED IN 1854, THE MECHANICS' INSTITUTE IS ONE OF THE OLDEST INSTITUTIONS ON THE WEST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES. ITS MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A CENTER FOR INTELLECTUAL AND CULTURAL ADVANCEMENT.LOCATED IN THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT OF SAN FRANCISCO, IT SERVES INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE BAY AREA OFFERING A VIBRANT LIBRARY WITH FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL STAFF, EXPERT INSTRUCTION AND COMPETITION IN CHESS, AND A FULL CALENDAR OF ENGAGING CULTURAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS, AND CLASSES.
Executive compensation
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 4 reported individuals · Filing year 2023
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at nonprofits nationwide, across all sectors.
| Position | Total |
|---|---|
Senior Director of Program Director (Operational) Median to 75th percentile | $108k $117k |
Director of Operations 25th percentile to median | $107k $117k |
Interim Chief Executive Officer 25th percentile to median | $59k $64k |
Chief Executive Officer 10th to 25th percentile | $25k $27k |
Teal figures restate each filed amount in 2026 dollars.
Estimated with San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into April 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Plus 18 unpaid individuals.
Funded by
Private foundations whose Form 990-PF Part XV grants matched this organization.
Down 46%
from 2022
From $200k in 2022 to $108k in 2023.
Estimated with San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into April 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Chief Operating Officer pay rose 2% from 2022 to 2023, while revenue fell 40%.
- Chief Executive Officer pay fell 71% from 2022 to 2023.
Pay for the position itself, not any one person. The officeholder may have changed between 2022 and 2023.
Revenue and expenses over time
MECHANICS' INSTITUTE reported revenue and expenses across 2 filing years.
Common questions about MECHANICS' INSTITUTE
What does the Director (Operational) of MECHANICS' INSTITUTE earn?
In 2023, the Director (Operational) of MECHANICS' INSTITUTE received $107,883 in total compensation. This pay is above the median (the midpoint) for Director (Operational) roles among nonprofits nationwide, across all sectors, within the top half of comparable filings. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Director (Operational) pay at MECHANICS' INSTITUTE compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at nonprofits nationwide, across all sectors, the 2023 pay of the Director (Operational) at MECHANICS' INSTITUTE falls between the median and the 75th percentile.
What are MECHANICS' INSTITUTE's revenue and expenses?
In 2023, MECHANICS' INSTITUTE reported $1.8M in total revenue and $2.7M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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