THE SURGE INSTITUTE ("SURGE"), IS AN ILLINOIS NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION THAT WAS FOUNDED IN OCTOBER 2014 IN RESPONSE TO THE DEARTH OF LEADERSHIP OF COLOR AT THE DECISION-MAKING TABLES WITHIN EDUCATION. SURGE PROVIDES LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES TO INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TO CREATE A PIPELINE OF DIVERSE LEADERS IN EDUCATION.
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 Education organizations in Illinois.
- Base
- $353k
- Bonus
- $36k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $162
- Base
- $271k
- Bonus
- $20k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $9k
- Base
- $263k
- Bonus
- $14k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $22k
- Base
- $200k
- Bonus
- $625
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $8k
- Base
- $142k
- Bonus
- $9k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $10k
- Base
- $147k
- Bonus
- $357
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $5k
- Base
- $136k
- Bonus
- $9k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $6k
- Base
- $136k
- Bonus
- $357
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $12k
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Founder and President Above 90th percentile | $353k | $36k | — | $162 | $392k $434k |
Chief Advancement Officer Officer (Unspecified) | $271k | $20k | — | $9k | $310k $344k |
COO (thru 6/24) 75th to 90th percentile | $263k | $14k | — | $22k | $309k $342k |
Chief Program Officer Median to 75th percentilevs Education peers nationwide | $200k | $625 | — | $8k | $215k $238k |
Executive Director, Bpn Median to 75th percentile | $142k | $9k | — | $10k | $166k $184k |
Executive Director, Academy Median to 75th percentile | $147k | $357 | — | $5k | $157k $174k |
VP Alumni Impact Board Vice President 25th percentile to median | $136k | $9k | — | $6k | $154k $171k |
Director, National Program Talent Director (Operational) Median to 75th percentile | $136k | $357 | — | $12k | $153k $169k |
Executive Director, Chicago (thru 10/23) Median to 75th percentile | — | — | — | — | $128k $142k |
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 7 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2023, the highest total compensation at SURGE INSTITUTE equaled 6% 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.
Held steady
from 2022
From $393k in 2022 to $392k in 2023.
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 held roughly steady from 2022 to 2023, while revenue rose 105%.
- Chief Operating Officer pay rose 9% from 2022 to 2023.
- Chief Program Officer pay rose 334% from 2022 to 2023.
Pay for the position itself, not any one person. The officeholder may have changed between 2022 and 2023.
Among peers
Revenue and top compensation, plotted against similar organizations. This organization is highlighted in cyan.
Common questions about SURGE INSTITUTE
What does the Chief Executive Officer of SURGE INSTITUTE earn?
In 2023, the Chief Executive Officer of SURGE INSTITUTE received $392,188 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 SURGE INSTITUTE compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Education organizations in Illinois, the 2023 pay of the Chief Executive Officer at SURGE INSTITUTE falls in the top 10%. In 2023, the highest total compensation at SURGE INSTITUTE equaled 6% of the organization's total expenses. The median for education organizations is 7%.
What are SURGE INSTITUTE's revenue and expenses?
In 2023, SURGE INSTITUTE reported $8.1M in total revenue and $7M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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