THE NATIONAL STUDENT LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZED TO ADVANCE STUDENTS' RIGHTS TO EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY AND SUPPORTING STUDENT' ECONOMIC MOBILITY BY USING IMPACT LITIGATION AND ADVOCACY TO PROTECT STUDENTS FROM PREDATORY LENDING AND ABUSIVE PRACTICES. OUR FOCUS SPANS THE ENTIRE STUDENT LIFECYCLE,FROM RECRUITMENT AND SUPPORTING STUDENTS' BASIC NEEDS TO EDUCATIONAL QUALITY TO COMPLETE STUDENT LOAN PAYMENT.
Executive compensation, broken down
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 Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy organizations in District of Columbia.
- Base
- $224k
- Bonus
- $22k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $30k
- Base
- $224k
- Bonus
- $22k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $29k
- Base
- $180k
- Bonus
- $27k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $20k
- Base
- $175k
- Bonus
- $17k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $21k
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
President 75th to 90th percentile | $224k | $22k | — | $30k | $282k $309k |
Chief Counsel Key Employee 75th to 90th percentilevs Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy peers nationwide | $224k | $22k | — | $29k | $282k $309k |
Litigation Director Highest Compensated Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $180k | $27k | — | $20k | $233k $255k |
Senior Counsel Highest Compensated Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $175k | $17k | — | $21k | $218k $239k |
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 5 unpaid individuals.
Browse compensation in Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy →
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2023, the highest total compensation at NATIONAL STUDENT LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK equaled 15% of the organization's total expenses. The median for civil rights, social action & advocacy organizations is 12%.
Based on 2,364 civil rights, social action & advocacy 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.
Among peers
Revenue and top compensation, plotted against similar organizations. This organization is highlighted in cyan.
Common questions about NATIONAL STUDENT LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK
What does the Chief Executive Officer of NATIONAL STUDENT LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK earn?
In 2023, the Chief Executive Officer of NATIONAL STUDENT LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK received $281,754 in total compensation. This pay is in the top quarter for Chief Executive Officer roles among Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy organizations in District of Columbia, though not the top 10% of comparable filings. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Chief Executive Officer pay at NATIONAL STUDENT LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy organizations in District of Columbia, the 2023 pay of the Chief Executive Officer at NATIONAL STUDENT LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK falls between the 75th and 90th percentiles. In 2023, the highest total compensation at NATIONAL STUDENT LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK equaled 15% of the organization's total expenses. The median for civil rights, social action & advocacy organizations is 12%.
What are NATIONAL STUDENT LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK's revenue and expenses?
In 2023, NATIONAL STUDENT LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK reported $3.1M in total revenue and $1.9M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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