The BDO 2023 Nonprofit Executive Compensation Survey provides a data-driven analysis of the pay practices for Executive Directors (EDs) and Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) from more than 500 different organizations. Representing 12 different sectors and budgets ranging from less than a million to more than 100 million, it offers critical insights into the factors that influence compensation levels and trends in the nonprofit realm.
Salary and Total Cash Compensation (TCC) for EDs and CFOs is significantly higher in organizations with larger budgets due to the increased complexity and demands of the roles. The sector also plays a role, with foundations and healthcare organizations often offering higher pay.
Total Cash Compensation by Budget Size*
Total Cash Compensation by Sector*
The survey indicates that the CFO’s pay as a percentage of the ED’s pay decreases as the organization’s size increases, highlighting the scaling effect on executive compensation structures.
CFO Salary/TCC as a % of ED Salary/TCC
Pay levels vary by geographic location, reflecting the cost of living and the local talent market. Metropolitan areas with a high cost of living, and significant competition for talent, such as Washington D.C. and New York City, show higher compensation levels.
Top 5 Metro Areas
While base salary remains the primary component of compensation, there is a growing trend towards including Bonus/Annual Incentives (AI) and deferred compensation plans, such as 401(k) and 457 plans, particularly in sectors that compete with for-profit entities for talent (e.g., business associations).
Mix of Pay by Sector
Nonprofits must continue to develop competitive compensation packages to attract and retain top talent without risking intermediate sanctions from the IRS. Access to reliable compensation data, like that provided by the BDO survey, is essential for making informed decisions that align with the organization’s mission and financial resources.
I participated in a series of AI strategy sessions with clients toward the end of 2023, and one thing rang true throughout my conversations: both non- and for-profit organizations across all sectors and industries are leaning into the power of AI but are often face challenges in fully implementing it.
For nonprofits, these challenges may include operating with limited resources, maintaining alignment with their mission and values, and having the bandwidth to prioritize digital infrastructure investments when funds are limited.
In addition, nonprofit stakeholders — be it employees, donors, or volunteers — are raising concerns about the use of AI at the organizations they work with, including proactive concerns before organizations are even deploying AI. This is an additional hurdle that nonprofits will have to navigate before — and likely during — the introduction of any AI initiatives.
There are many benefits for nonprofits to begin integrating AI into their processes and procedures once any stakeholder concerns are alleviated. This includes (but is certainly not limited to):
A robust data foundation and a comprehensive AI strategy are crucial to overcoming these challenges and enabling nonprofits to embrace AI solutions. Here are some of the key takeaways from our AI strategy sessions that nonprofits may be valuable to nonprofit leaders looking to bring AI solutions to their organizations.
With heightened concerns around the uses of AI tools, it will be important for nonprofits to clearly articulate how these technologies align with (and support) their mission and strategic goals. In addition, to alleviate any internal hesitations about implementing new tools, it will be helpful to understand where AI solutions may already unknowingly be in use. While the popularity of generative AI is still relatively recent, many of the tools that nonprofits are using day to day already have automation and AI features built in — and may have for quite some time. Identifying these uses and highlighting how they are already in place may help to make employees more comfortable with larger AI initiatives.
As with any new technology, there are going to be risks and concerns that should be identified and safeguarded before jumping in. Examples include — but are not limited to — bias and data security. AI can unintentionally perpetuate or amplify biases if diverse, representative data is not used, so be sure to conduct regular bias trainings and have a plan in place for detecting and minimizing biases when introducing a new AI solution to the organization. Data privacy is particularly important for nonprofits due to the sensitive information (donor demographics, beneficiary data) that is often stored. When implementing AI solutions, be sure that any updates to existing processes and procedures adhere to data privacy best practices, including storing and transmitting data safely and securely.
A successful AI implementation starts with a strategic roadmap that details your organization’s data and AI maturity goals, including potential pain points and any technical gaps that may need to be addressed. Once these core components are identified, the next step is to determine what is within the organization’s wheelhouse to implement. This may be achieved within the team’s existing skillset, or it could require some training and upskilling. Some organizations may also choose to work with an external advisor.
Once the foundation is in place, it is time to develop proof points of how AI can benefit your organization. As a first initiative, consider something that is easier to manage, has clear metrics and a strong ROI, and can easily lead to tangible success. Some ideas include a donor data analysis powered by predictive analytics, automating a volunteer management database, or using generative AI to generate content for donors. These uses can go a long way toward demonstrating how AI solutions can amplify your organization’s message, help you reach a wider audience, and free up staff to focus on more high-value work.
Being nimble and intentional at the onset of your organization’s foray into AI solutions can help you move from small use cases to larger-scale initiatives. By embracing these key themes, organizations can unlock the full potential of AI to pave the way for future growth and success.
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