PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE PROMOTES FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, AN OPEN INTERNET, AND ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE COMMUNICATIONS TOOLS AND CREATIVE WORKS. WE WORK TO SHAPE POLICY ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
Executive compensation, broken down
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 9 reported individuals · Filing year 2023
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at Public & Societal Benefit organizations in District of Columbia.
- Base
- $243k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $9k
- Base
- $191k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $27k
- Base
- $142k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $13k
- Base
- $124k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $24k
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
President/ceo Median to 75th percentile | $243k | — | — | $9k | $260k $285k |
Senior Vice President 25th percentile to medianvs Public & Societal Benefit peers nationwide | $191k | — | — | $27k | $224k $246k |
Vice President Board Vice President 25th percentile to medianvs Public & Societal Benefit peers nationwide | $142k | — | — | $13k | $160k $175k |
Chief Operating Officer 25th percentile to medianvs Public & Societal Benefit peers nationwide | $124k | — | — | $24k | $152k $167k |
Legal Director Highest Compensated Employee 10th to 25th percentile | — | — | — | — | $134k $147k |
Chief of Staff Officer (Unspecified) | — | — | — | — | $129k $142k |
Director of Government Affairs Highest Compensated Employee 10th to 25th percentile | — | — | — | — | $116k $127k |
Communications Director Director (Operational) Median to 75th percentilevs Public & Societal Benefit peers nationwide | — | — | — | — | $112k $123k |
Senior Policy Counsel Highest Compensated Employee Below 10th percentile | — | — | — | — | $106k $116k |
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 10 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2023, the highest total compensation at PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE equaled 8% 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.
Among peers
Revenue and top compensation, plotted against similar organizations. This organization is highlighted in cyan.
Common questions about PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE
What does the Chief Executive Officer of PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE earn?
In 2023, the Chief Executive Officer of PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE received $259,926 in total compensation. This pay is above the median (the midpoint) for Chief Executive Officer roles among Public & Societal Benefit organizations in District of Columbia, within the top half of comparable filings. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Chief Executive Officer pay at PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Public & Societal Benefit organizations in District of Columbia, the 2023 pay of the Chief Executive Officer at PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE falls between the median and the 75th percentile. In 2023, the highest total compensation at PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE equaled 8% of the organization's total expenses. The median for public & societal benefit organizations is 10%.
What are PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE's revenue and expenses?
In 2023, PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE reported $4M in total revenue and $3.2M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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