THE PURPOSE OF THE WATER RESEARCH FOUNDATION (WRF) IS A DEFINITIVE RESEARCH ORGANIZATION TO ADVANCE THE SCIENCE OF ALL THINGS WATER TO BETTER MEET THE EVOLVING NEEDS OF ITS SUBSCRIBERS AND THE WATER SECTOR. TO ENGAGE EXCLUSIVELY IN NONPROFIT, CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO INITIATE, SUPERVISE, COORDINATE, PROMOTE, AND FINANCE RESEARCH IN THE TECHNOLOGY, OPERATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF WATER, WASTEWATER, REUSE AND STORMWATER COLLECTION, TREATMENT, AND SUPPLY SYSTEMS, TOWARD ENSURING WATER QUALITY AND IMPROVING WATER SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
Executive compensation, broken down
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 9 reported individuals · Filing year 2024
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at Environment organizations nationwide.
- Base
- $375k
- Bonus
- $55k
- Other
- $13k
- Benefits
- $1k
- Base
- $240k
- Bonus
- $50k
- Other
- $2k
- Benefits
- $10k
- Base
- $183k
- Bonus
- $35k
- Other
- $532
- Benefits
- $19k
- Base
- $162k
- Bonus
- $10k
- Other
- $1k
- Benefits
- $19k
- Base
- $159k
- Bonus
- $9k
- Other
- $1k
- Benefits
- $16k
- Base
- $136k
- Bonus
- $8k
- Other
- $435
- Benefits
- $28k
- Base
- $154k
- Bonus
- $10k
- Other
- $310
- Benefits
- $1k
- Base
- $144k
- Bonus
- $4k
- Other
- $432
- Benefits
- —
- Base
- $140k
- Bonus
- $4k
- Other
- $657
- Benefits
- $2k
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ceo/secretary Secretary (Operational) Above 90th percentile | $375k | $55k | $13k | $1k | $476k $510k |
Chief Operating Officer Above 90th percentile | $240k | $50k | $2k | $10k | $327k $352k |
Communications & Engagement Officer Key Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $183k | $35k | $532 | $19k | $258k $276k |
Chief Research Officer Key Employee Median to 75th percentile | $162k | $10k | $1k | $19k | $208k $223k |
Of Research Services Highest Compensated Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $159k | $9k | $1k | $16k | $201k $216k |
Director of Subscriber Services Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | $136k | $8k | $435 | $28k | $186k $200k |
Manager - Strategic Engagements Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | $154k | $10k | $310 | $1k | $179k $193k |
Director of Sponsored Programs Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | $144k | $4k | $432 | — | $161k $173k |
Research Principal Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | $140k | $4k | $657 | $2k | $160k $172k |
Teal figures restate each filed amount in 2026 dollars.
Estimated with Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Plus 32 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2024, the highest total compensation at THE WATER RESEARCH FOUNDATION equaled 2% of the organization's total expenses. The median for environment organizations is 11%.
Based on 4,942 environment organizations, each measured at its most recent filing year with reported expenses and compensation.
Up 4%
from 2023
From $456k in 2023 to $476k in 2024.
Estimated with Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Secretary (Operational) pay rose 4% from 2023 to 2024, while revenue rose 3%.
- Chief Operating Officer pay rose 9% from 2023 to 2024.
- Key Employee pay fell 7% 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 THE WATER RESEARCH FOUNDATION
What does the Secretary (Operational) of THE WATER RESEARCH FOUNDATION earn?
In 2024, the Secretary (Operational) of THE WATER RESEARCH FOUNDATION received $475,552 in total compensation. This pay is in the top 10% for Secretary (Operational) roles among Environment organizations nationwide: at least 9 in 10 comparable filings report less. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Secretary (Operational) pay at THE WATER RESEARCH FOUNDATION compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Environment organizations nationwide, the 2024 pay of the Secretary (Operational) at THE WATER RESEARCH FOUNDATION falls in the top 10%. In 2024, the highest total compensation at THE WATER RESEARCH FOUNDATION equaled 2% of the organization's total expenses. The median for environment organizations is 11%.
What are THE WATER RESEARCH FOUNDATION's revenue and expenses?
In 2024, THE WATER RESEARCH FOUNDATION reported $24.1M in total revenue and $21.5M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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