The mission of National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is to recognize and honor the academically talented students of the United States. NMSC accomplishes its mission by conducting nationwide academic scholarship programs. The enduring goals of NMSC's scholarship programs are: to promote a wider and deeper respect for learning in general and for exceptionally talented individuals in particular; to shine a spotlight on brilliant students and encourage the pursuit of academic excellence at all levels of education; and to stimulate increased support from individuals and organizations that wish to sponsor scholarships for outstanding scholastic talent.
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 Education organizations in Illinois.
- Base
- $404k
- Bonus
- $41k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $38k
- Base
- $187k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $32k
- Base
- $155k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $36k
- Base
- $151k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $13k
- Base
- $137k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $25k
- Base
- $117k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $32k
- Base
- $122k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $24k
- Base
- $111k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $29k
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
President Above 90th percentile | $404k | $41k | — | $38k | $546k $584k |
Vice President and Treasurer Vice President Median to 75th percentile | $187k | — | — | $32k | $251k $268k |
Scholar & Donor Svcs (until 1/24/25) Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | $155k | — | — | $36k | $204k $219k |
Exec. Director of IT Chief Information Officer Median to 75th percentilevs Education peers nationwide | $151k | — | — | $13k | $187k $200k |
Vice President Median to 75th percentile | $137k | — | — | $25k | $185k $198k |
Director of IT Chief Information Officer 25th percentile to medianvs Education peers nationwide | $117k | — | — | $32k | $169k $181k |
Exec. Dir. of Sponsor Services Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | $122k | — | — | $24k | $165k $177k |
Exec. Dir. of Public Information Highest Compensated Employee 25th percentile to median | $111k | — | — | $29k | $159k $170k |
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 21 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2024, the highest total compensation at National Merit Scholarship Corporation equaled 1% of the organization's total expenses. The median for education organizations is 7%.
Based on 26,320 education 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 $523k in 2023 to $546k 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 51%.
- Vice President pay rose 27% from 2023 to 2024.
- Highest Compensated Employee pay rose 31% 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 National Merit Scholarship Corporation
What does the Chief Executive Officer of National Merit Scholarship Corporation earn?
In 2024, the Chief Executive Officer of National Merit Scholarship Corporation received $545,528 in total compensation. This pay is in the top 10% for Chief Executive Officer roles among Education organizations in Illinois: at least 9 in 10 comparable filings report less. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Chief Executive Officer pay at National Merit Scholarship Corporation compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Education organizations in Illinois, the 2024 pay of the Chief Executive Officer at National Merit Scholarship Corporation falls in the top 10%. In 2024, the highest total compensation at National Merit Scholarship Corporation equaled 1% of the organization's total expenses. The median for education organizations is 7%.
What are National Merit Scholarship Corporation's revenue and expenses?
In 2024, National Merit Scholarship Corporation reported $59.1M in total revenue and $44.7M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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