When you care about sick kids and their families, it’s natural to ask hard questions about money. One of the most common is about the Make-A-Wish CEO salary and whether it’s fair. You might see big numbers in a news article or social post and wonder if your donation is really going where you think it is.
In this guide, we’ll walk through what the CEO actually earns, how that pay is set, and how much of each dollar still goes to granting wishes. We’ll keep the language simple, show you how to check the numbers yourself, and share thoughtful wishes you can use when you talk about this topic with friends, coworkers, or family. By the end, you’ll be able to decide how you feel with real facts, not rumors.
Quick Answer
The Make-A-Wish CEO salary, based on the latest public Form 990 filings, is in the mid-hundreds of thousands of dollars per year, with recent data showing reportable compensation a little over $650,000 plus additional benefits and other compensation. That might sound high, but it reflects the size and complexity of Make-A-Wish America, which manages a national network and a budget in the hundreds of millions.
For donors, the key is that executive pay remains a small share of total expenses, while most spending still goes to wish-related programs and support. You can verify the exact CEO salary yourself by reviewing the organization’s Form 990 and independent rating sites.
Table of Contents
• Make-A-Wish CEO Salary Overview
• How Much Does The CEO Of Make-A-Wish Make?
• Leslie Motter’s Make-A-Wish CEO Salary Today
• Make-A-Wish CEO Salary Over Time: Williams, Davis, Motter
• How Make-A-Wish CEO Compensation Is Set (Form 990 Explained)
• Make-A-Wish CEO Salary Versus Other Big Charities
• CEO Pay, Staff Pay, And Program Spending At Make-A-Wish
• Is The Make-A-Wish CEO Salary Too High? Donor Concerns
• What Percentage Of Make-A-Wish Donations Go To Wishes?
• Make-A-Wish Charity Ratings And Executive Compensation
• Kids Wish Network Vs. Make-A-Wish: Look-Alike Names And Pay
• Make-A-Wish CEO Salary And International Chapters (Canada, UK, Etc.)
• How To Look Up Any Charity CEO Salary Before You Give
• Conversation Starters About CEO Salaries And Wise Giving
• Appreciation Wishes For Make-A-Wish Staff And Volunteers
• Encouraging Wishes For Families Supported By Make-A-Wish
TL;DR
• Recent filings show Make-A-Wish America’s CEO paid in the mid-six-figure range.
• That pay is set by a board, not by the CEO alone.
• Executive compensation is a small slice of a large national budget.
• Independent charity raters still score Make-A-Wish highly overall.
• You can check Form 990s and watchdog sites before you donate.
Make-A-Wish CEO Salary Overview
Make-A-Wish Foundation of America is a large national nonprofit, not a small local chapter. It oversees wish-granting across the United States, works with corporate partners, and coordinates volunteers and staff across the country. Because of that scale, its CEO salary lives in a range similar to other big national charities.
Recent public filings show the current President & CEO earning reportable compensation in the high-$600,000s, with some additional benefits and other compensation reported separately. This doesn’t mean that same amount comes out of a single donor’s gift, but it understandably raises questions donors want answered clearly.
• May this overview give you clear facts so your giving feels calm, confident, and grounded in reality rather than rumors.
• I hope that understanding the size and reach of Make-A-Wish helps you see why the CEO role carries serious responsibility.
• May your questions about CEO pay always be treated with respect, never brushed off or shamed.
• I hope you feel free to pause, learn the numbers, and only give when you feel truly comfortable.
• May every statistic about salary be paired with human stories of wishes, not used to scare or guilt you.
• I hope this information helps you talk about Make-A-Wish in a way that is both honest and kind.
• May you remember that a large, national charity can still be deeply personal to every child it serves.
• I hope you feel empowered to ask, “What does this CEO actually do?” instead of just reacting to the dollar amount.
• May you see executive salary as one piece of the puzzle, not the whole picture of the organization’s heart.
• I hope this guide makes it easier to compare Make-A-Wish to other charities without getting lost in jargon.
• May facts about CEO pay never dim your compassion for kids and families who need moments of joy.
• I hope you walk away able to say, “I understand the Make-A-Wish CEO salary now, and I know how I feel about it.”
How Much Does The CEO Of Make-A-Wish Make?
When people search “how much does the Make-A-Wish CEO make,” they’re usually hoping for a simple, up-to-date number. Nonprofits report this on Form 990, a public tax document. For the most recent fiscal year available, Make-A-Wish America’s CEO compensation is reported a little above $650,000 in base and reportable pay, plus additional reportable benefits, bringing total compensation somewhat higher.
That number changes year by year as boards adjust pay based on performance, comparisons to similar organizations, and cost of living. Some salary websites publish higher model-based estimates; however, the official IRS filings remain the most reliable source.
• May you always feel safe asking, “What does the Make-A-Wish CEO actually make this year?”
• I hope you learn to check Form 990 first, then treat online salary estimates as rough guesses.
• May your curiosity about CEO pay lead you toward knowledge, not anxiety.
• I hope you see the difference between base salary, bonuses, and other benefits when you look at numbers.
• May you remember that a CEO’s reported compensation usually covers a full year of national-level responsibility.
• I hope you feel free to say, “That’s a lot of money,” and still look at the whole budget picture.
• May you understand that big organizations often require leaders who could earn similar pay in the private sector.
• I hope you weigh CEO pay next to the number of wishes granted, not in isolation.
• May this knowledge help you decide how much you give, rather than whether you care.
• I hope you can separate honest questions about money from your support for children and families.
• May your voice, whether praising or questioning, stay rooted in respect for everyone involved.
• I hope that after seeing the CEO salary figures, you feel more informed, not more confused.
Leslie Motter’s Make-A-Wish CEO Salary Today
Leslie Motter serves as the President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. She previously held senior roles inside the organization before taking the top job, which means she brought experience with wish-granting operations, partnerships, and chapter support into the role.
According to the latest Form 990 data, her reportable compensation is in the mid-$600,000s for the fiscal year ending 2024, with additional other compensation reported separately. Earlier filings for 2023 show a lower salary as she moved into the CEO position. These numbers include more than just a paycheck; they combine base pay and some reportable benefits.
• May you see Leslie Motter as a real person with a heavy leadership load, not just a number on a spreadsheet.
• I hope learning her name makes conversations about the Make-A-Wish CEO salary feel more personal and less abstract.
• May you feel free to ask what impact her leadership has had on wish-granting and fundraising.
• I hope you notice how CEO pay rose as she stepped into greater responsibility, not as a random jump.
• May you compare her compensation to other national nonprofit CEOs with similar budgets and missions.
• I hope you feel confident saying, “I agree” or “I disagree” about the level of pay, while staying respectful.
• May you remember that a CEO’s work includes travel, crisis decisions, and tough calls we rarely see.
• I hope this context helps you talk about Leslie Motter’s salary without attacking her character.
• May your questions about her compensation lead to better understanding of board oversight and governance.
• I hope you feel invited to focus on how many wishes are granted, not only on what the CEO earns.
• May you find a balance between financial scrutiny and appreciation for the organization’s mission.
• I hope this section helps you put a human face on the idea of “Make-A-Wish CEO salary today.”
Make-A-Wish CEO Salary Over Time: Williams, Davis, Motter
Make-A-Wish has had several leaders over the past decade, and CEO pay has shifted with each era. Earlier filings show David Williams earning just over $600,000 in total compensation in the late 2010s. Later, Richard Davis and then Leslie Motter took on the role, with their compensation changing as the organization grew and weathered challenges like the pandemic.
When you look across multiple years, CEO pay tends to move within a band that fits large national nonprofits: high but not out of line with peers when you factor in budget size, staff, and number of wishes granted. Seeing the trend can feel more helpful than focusing on a single year’s bump or drop.
• May looking at CEO salary over time help you see patterns instead of reacting to one headline.
• I hope you remember that leadership changed hands, which can explain some shifts in the reported numbers.
• May you notice how revenue, expenses, and wish counts changed alongside executive pay.
• I hope you view each CEO’s salary in light of the era’s challenges and growth.
• May seeing this history reassure you that Make-A-Wish doesn’t suddenly pay double without explanation.
• I hope this long view calms fears that a single high figure means long-term abuse.
• May you feel comfortable asking, “How did CEO pay move when donations rose or fell?”
• I hope you use this trend to compare Make-A-Wish with other big charities honestly.
• May you see that board-set compensation usually follows a process, not personal whim.
• I hope that understanding the past helps you judge today’s salary more fairly.
• May your questions about history deepen, not damage, your sense of stewardship as a donor.
• I hope this timeline gives you a steady lens on Make-A-Wish CEO salary changes over the years.
How Make-A-Wish CEO Compensation Is Set (Form 990 Explained)
Nonprofit CEOs don’t usually walk into a room and pick their own salary. At Make-A-Wish America, a board of directors and a compensation or executive committee review data from similar organizations, look at performance, and then set pay. The result is documented and disclosed each year in the organization’s Form 990.
Form 990 is a public tax return for nonprofits. It lists top staff, their compensation, program versus overhead spending, and many governance details. For Make-A-Wish, this is where you find the official CEO salary, along with notes on how the board arrived at that number.
• May you feel empowered knowing that CEO pay is supposed to be set by independent board members, not by the CEO alone.
• I hope you learn to see Form 990 as a window, not a wall of confusing tax code.
• May you remember that compensation committees often use outside data to keep pay in line with similar nonprofits.
• I hope you feel confident asking a charity, “Who decides the CEO salary and how often is it reviewed?”
• May reading Form 990 show you that Make-A-Wish is required to publicly report its top compensation figures.
• I hope this understanding helps you separate intentional oversight from the idea of unchecked greed.
• May you notice any notes describing how the board evaluates performance when it sets executive pay.
• I hope you feel comfortable using Form 990 to double-check online claims about CEO salaries.
• May you recognize that transparent reporting is a good sign, even when the numbers are large.
• I hope this process view encourages you to ask about policies, not just paychecks.
• May your trust grow when you see clear governance, and may your caution grow if you don’t.
• I hope you keep Form 990 in mind as a tool every time you ask about a charity CEO’s salary.
Make-A-Wish CEO Salary Versus Other Big Charities
It’s hard to know if a number is “too high” without comparing it. When you line up Make-A-Wish America’s CEO salary with similar nationwide nonprofits—those with budgets in the hundreds of millions and complex operations—you often see executive pay falling into a comparable range.
Some CEOs at similar-sized health or child-focused charities earn total compensation above or below Make-A-Wish’s level, depending on location, tenure, and how aggressively the board pays. The important thing isn’t winning a pay race; it’s making sure compensation is reasonable for the size of the organization and the impact it delivers.
• May you feel free to compare Make-A-Wish CEO salary with other charities without losing sight of the kids it serves.
• I hope you look at budget size, staff count, and national reach when you compare salaries.
• May you remember that a CEO leading a small local nonprofit should not be paid like a national one.
• I hope you weigh leadership pay next to how many children are helped and how funds are managed.
• May you avoid scare graphics that compare a CEO’s salary to a single small donor’s gift.
• I hope you consider both generosity and fairness when you think about executive pay.
• May you feel satisfied if Make-A-Wish seems roughly in line with peers rather than an outlier.
• I hope you use independent rankings and reports to inform your comparisons, not just social shares.
• May this perspective keep you from assuming every high nonprofit salary is automatically abusive.
• I hope you also notice when a charity’s CEO pay truly seems far outside normal ranges.
• May your comparisons be careful, compassionate, and rooted in facts, not outrage.
• I hope understanding peer salaries helps you form your own calm opinion about Make-A-Wish CEO pay.
CEO Pay, Staff Pay, And Program Spending At Make-A-Wish
Another helpful way to view CEO salary is as a percentage of total expenses, not just as a stand-alone number. Recent filings show executive compensation as a small single-digit share of Make-A-Wish America’s overall expenses, with most spending going to programs that support wishes and related services.
Staff salaries across the organization vary widely, from coordinators and specialists to directors and technical leaders. Job and review sites suggest regular employees earn far less than the CEO, but still receive competitive nonprofit pay and benefits. The health of a charity depends on paying fairly across the board, not just at the top.
• May you picture CEO pay as one slice of a large pie, not the whole dessert.
• I hope you remember that many staff members at Make-A-Wish earn modest nonprofit salaries while doing emotionally heavy work.
• May thinking in percentages help you see that most dollars still support wish-related activities and support services.
• I hope you notice when executive pay grows faster than program spending, and feel free to ask why.
• May you also care about fair pay for coordinators, assistants, and front-line staff, not just the CEO.
• I hope you take comfort when you see executive compensation as a small share of total expenses.
• May you remember that healthy organizations need strong systems, tech, and HR, not only wish-day photos.
• I hope you look for patterns where program spending stays strong even as leadership changes.
• May your standards for fairness include both leadership accountability and staff well-being.
• I hope this section encourages you to think, “How does the whole budget serve the mission?”
• May that big-picture view help you feel better about every wish you help fund.
• I hope you come away seeing Make-A-Wish CEO salary as part of a much larger financial story.
Is The Make-A-Wish CEO Salary Too High? Donor Concerns
People react differently to the same number. One donor might see a mid-six-figure nonprofit salary and feel angry; another might see it as standard for a complex national charity with a large budget. Both reactions are understandable. The key is to match your giving with your values, not someone else’s.
To decide how you feel, you can look at independent ratings, program-expense ratios, and trends over time. You can also consider how Make-A-Wish communicates with families, volunteers, and partners, and whether the leadership appears transparent and accountable.
• May your concern about CEO salary always flow from genuine care for children and families, not from cynicism.
• I hope you feel free to say, “That feels too high for me,” and adjust your giving accordingly.
• May you also feel free to say, “Given the size and impact, that seems acceptable,” without guilt.
• I hope you remember that smart donors can disagree politely about what “too high” means.
• May you never be pressured to ignore your instincts when something feels off.
• I hope you look for evidence—good or bad—before deciding whether to keep supporting Make-A-Wish.
• May your questions lead you toward transparency, not toward blanket mistrust of every charity.
• I hope you allow room for nuance when people discuss nonprofit CEO pay online.
• May you feel empowered to write or call the organization if you want to share your concerns.
• I hope leaders everywhere hear donors’ questions as a sign of engagement, not disrespect.
• May your heart for kids stay central, even on days when you wrestle with executive salary numbers.
• I hope you find a giving approach that fits both your compassion and your conscience.
What Percentage Of Make-A-Wish Donations Go To Wishes?
Most donors don’t think in accounting categories; they think in pictures: “How much of my gift reaches a child’s wish?” Make-A-Wish America’s filings and rating-site summaries show roughly two-thirds of total expenses going to programs, with the rest supporting fundraising, administration, and infrastructure that make those programs possible. Exact percentages shift slightly year by year.
It helps to remember that wish-granting is complex. Travel, medical clearance, logistics, chapter support, technology, and fundraising all cost money. Healthy organizations try to keep overhead reasonable while still investing enough in systems to function well and safely.
• May you see overhead not as wasted money, but as the wiring that keeps the lights of the mission on.
• I hope you feel better knowing that a majority of expenses still go toward wish-related work.
• May you watch for trends where program spending remains strong, not just one impressive ratio.
• I hope you ask charities to be honest about overhead instead of promising impossible “100% to kids” claims.
• May you understand that safe wish travel, vetting, and staff support can’t happen without admin costs.
• I hope you judge Make-A-Wish by both its numbers and its stories of impact.
• May your giving feel smarter when you understand where each dollar actually goes.
• I hope you choose charities that are upfront about their program and overhead splits.
• May you be wary of groups using misleading math to sound more efficient than they are.
• I hope you find peace when you see Make-A-Wish balancing program, staff, and fundraising needs.
• May you always feel entitled to clear answers when you ask, “How much goes to wishes?”
• I hope those answers strengthen your trust, wherever you decide to give.
Make-A-Wish Charity Ratings And Executive Compensation
Independent rating sites look at many signals: financial health, transparency, board governance, and sometimes impact. For Make-A-Wish America, these platforms generally report strong overall scores and note that CEO compensation is properly disclosed and reviewed, even when the amount is high.
These ratings don’t exist to tell you exactly how to feel, but they provide a third-party check. When a charity scores well across multiple platforms, it suggests that, on balance, the organization is managing its finances and leadership in a way that meets established standards.
• May charity ratings give you an extra layer of confidence, not replace your own judgment.
• I hope you learn how each rating site weighs CEO pay, overhead, and program spending.
• May you notice when Make-A-Wish is praised for transparency about executive compensation.
• I hope you also pay attention if any rating flags concerns about pay or governance.
• May you remember that no single score can capture every nuance of a charity’s work.
• I hope you compare ratings across several sites, not just one.
• May you see strong ratings as a sign that CEO pay is at least being carefully monitored.
• I hope these external checks help you feel less alone in evaluating charities.
• May you use ratings as conversation starters, not weapons, when you discuss nonprofit pay.
• I hope that, when ratings look positive, you feel more at ease supporting Make-A-Wish if you choose.
• May your own values still guide your final decision, even with glowing stars on the screen.
• I hope this section makes charity ratings feel like friendly tools rather than confusing charts.
Kids Wish Network Vs. Make-A-Wish: Look-Alike Names And Pay
Some watchdog articles warn about “sound-alike” charities—organizations whose names resemble respected brands but whose spending patterns are very different. A common example used in those pieces is Kids Wish Network compared to Make-A-Wish Foundation. The two are entirely separate groups with separate leadership, finances, and reputations.
Because of the similar naming, donors sometimes confuse them, especially when reading social posts about executive salaries or low program spending. Checking the exact organization name, website, location, and tax ID can help you make sure you’re looking at the right charity when you research CEO pay.
• May you always double-check the charity name so you don’t mix up Make-A-Wish with sound-alike groups.
• I hope you feel comfortable walking away from any charity whose spending or CEO salary looks troubling to you.
• May you remember that one bad actor with a similar name doesn’t automatically stain another organization.
• I hope you verify facts before sharing alarming posts about “wish” charities on social media.
• May you give to groups whose values, transparency, and leadership feel right for you.
• I hope you learn to spot red flags like tiny program spending or unclear executive compensation.
• May you be a calm, informed voice when others share viral but confusing charity salary memes.
• I hope you help friends tell the difference between Make-A-Wish and unrelated organizations.
• May sound-alike names push you toward deeper research, not away from generosity.
• I hope your caution protects both your wallet and your sense of hope.
• May you support charities whose work and financial practices both make you proud.
• I hope this clarity lets you talk about Make-A-Wish CEO salary without dragging in the wrong charity.
Make-A-Wish CEO Salary And International Chapters (Canada, UK, Etc.)
Make-A-Wish operates through national affiliates in different countries, such as Make-A-Wish Canada and Make-A-Wish UK. Each of these organizations has its own board, CEO, and financial statements, even though they share a global mission of granting wishes to children with critical illnesses.
That means the Make-A-Wish CEO salary you see in U.S. filings applies only to the American national office, not to Canada, the UK, or other affiliates. Leaders in those countries are paid under their own boards’ rules, local wage standards, and currency realities.
• May you remember that “Make-A-Wish” is a family of organizations, not one single worldwide office.
• I hope you avoid assuming that U.S. CEO salary figures apply to every country.
• May you check each national affiliate’s filings or charity ratings when you give overseas.
• I hope you respect that different countries set nonprofit pay based on local norms and laws.
• May you see the shared mission even as the finances differ by nation.
• I hope you feel confident asking international chapters for their own CEO salary information.
• May your generosity cross borders without losing your commitment to transparency.
• I hope you separate your view of Make-A-Wish America’s CEO pay from your view of another country’s affiliate.
• May you support the chapters that align with your values, wherever they are.
• I hope this global view helps you talk about Make-A-Wish more precisely and fairly.
• May your wishes for kids around the world stay strong as you learn these details.
• I hope this section reminds you that big missions often require local leadership and local oversight.
How To Look Up Any Charity CEO Salary Before You Give
You never have to guess about a U.S. charity CEO’s pay. With a few simple steps, you can see it for yourself before you donate. First, find the organization’s full legal name and location on its website. Then, use an IRS search tool, a charity rating site, or a nonprofit database to pull up its latest Form 990.
On that form, near the front, you’ll see a list of top officers and key employees with their compensation. You can also cross-check the number with charity-rating summaries and trustworthy directories that pull from the same filings.
• May you feel powerful knowing you can verify CEO salaries instead of guessing or trusting rumors.
• I hope you make checking Form 990 a quick habit for any charity that matters to you.
• May you learn to scan directly for the list of top employees and compensation.
• I hope you remember to note the fiscal year so you know how recent the data is.
• May you use rating sites as helpers, not as your only source of truth.
• I hope you share these simple steps with friends who care about where their donations go.
• May you never feel rude for wanting to know how much a charity’s leader earns.
• I hope your research gives you more confidence in the charities you choose to support.
• May you walk away from organizations that hide or dodge basic salary questions.
• I hope you feel good about every donation because you’ve done your homework first.
• May these tools help you give with both heart and good information.
• I hope you keep this process in mind when you think about Make-A-Wish CEO salary—or any other charity’s pay.
Conversation Starters About CEO Salaries And Wise Giving
Talking about nonprofit CEO salaries can get heated fast, especially online. Yet thoughtful conversations can help people learn, adjust their giving, and stay generous. It helps to start from shared values: wanting kids cared for, wanting money spent wisely, and wanting leaders held accountable.
Instead of arguing, you can offer calm, fact-based comments and wishes that invite discussion. These short lines can help you speak up without attacking anyone.
• May our conversations about CEO salaries always start with care for the people charities serve.
• I hope we can ask, “What do the official filings say?” before we share shocking numbers.
• May we remember that good people can disagree about what “reasonable” pay looks like.
• I hope you feel comfortable saying, “Let’s look up the Make-A-Wish CEO salary together from Form 990.”
• May we use ratings and reports as tools for learning, not as weapons in online fights.
• I hope we keep the focus on kids and families rather than turning this into a personal attack on leaders.
• May we listen when someone feels uneasy about nonprofit pay, instead of dismissing them.
• I hope we also listen when someone reminds us that big organizations need skilled leadership.
• May our words about charities build understanding, not just clicks and outrage.
• I hope you can say, “I want both transparency and strong leadership,” without feeling torn.
• May our shared wish be that every dollar—salaries included—ultimately serves the mission well.
• I hope these gentle phrases help you talk about Make-A-Wish CEO salary with grace and clarity.
Appreciation Wishes For Make-A-Wish Staff And Volunteers
Behind every wish are staff members and volunteers who read medical notes, coordinate travel, answer emails, and stand beside families in emotional moments. CEO salary questions matter, but so does appreciation for the thousands of people whose everyday work makes wishes possible.
If you want to say thank you in a note, email, or social post, these wishes can help you express gratitude while still caring about transparency and good stewardship.
• May you feel seen for every call, form, and late night that goes into granting wishes.
• I hope you never doubt that your behind-the-scenes work brings real light to hard days.
• May each wish you help create remind you why your role truly matters.
• I hope you’re paid fairly, supported well, and treated with respect at every level.
• May questions about salaries never drown out the gratitude you deserve for your daily effort.
• I hope you feel proud knowing families will remember these moments for a lifetime.
• May your team stay strong, kind, and united, even when budgets and numbers are under scrutiny.
• I hope you always have leaders who listen, explain, and stand up for your work.
• May your own heart be refilled with hope every time you see a wish come true.
• I hope donors who ask hard questions about money also remember to thank you for what you do.
• May your workplace be as compassionate behind closed doors as it is in public stories.
• I hope you always know that careful, transparent stewardship honors both you and the families you serve.
Encouraging Wishes For Families Supported By Make-A-Wish
At the center of all these discussions about CEO salaries and budgets are children and families facing some of the hardest days of their lives. They are not responsible for compensation decisions or filings; they are simply hoping for a bright, unforgettable moment in the middle of treatment, worry, and long hospital nights.
When you speak to or about these families, the most important messages are kindness, respect, and support. Money conversations should never overshadow their dignity, strength, and hope.
• May your family feel wrapped in kindness and care every step of this journey.
• I hope your child’s wish brings a burst of joy that no spreadsheet could ever measure.
• May every person you meet through Make-A-Wish treat your time and story with respect.
• I hope you feel heard when you share your child’s dreams, fears, and favorite things.
• May the planning of this wish feel simple for you, even when life is anything but simple.
• I hope the photos, smiles, and memories from this experience stay warm in your heart forever.
• May you feel supported both on the day of the wish and long after it ends.
• I hope people talk about budgets and salaries in ways that never reduce your child to a number.
• May the generosity behind each donation reach you as real comfort, not just paperwork.
• I hope you find strength in knowing many strangers are quietly rooting for your family.
• May your child’s wish day feel like a pause button on fear and exhaustion.
• I hope that, whatever the future holds, this wish reminds you that your family is deeply loved.
FAQs
How much does the Make-A-Wish CEO actually make right now?
Based on the most recent public Form 990 filings, the President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Foundation of America currently receives reportable compensation in the mid-$600,000 range per year, plus additional reportable compensation and benefits. Exact figures change by fiscal year, so it’s best to check the latest filing or rating-site summary for the current number.
Is the Make-A-Wish CEO salary paid out of children’s donations?
All money that comes into Make-A-Wish—donations, grants, corporate gifts, and other revenue—goes into the same overall budget. From that total, the organization pays staff, wish costs, fundraising, and other expenses. CEO salary is one line item in that budget. It’s not taken directly from a specific child’s gift, but it does come from the pool of funds that also supports wish-granting work.
Is Make-A-Wish still a good charity to donate to if the CEO makes that much?
Many independent rating sites continue to give Make-A-Wish America strong overall scores for financial health and transparency, even while acknowledging the CEO’s high pay. For some donors, those strong ratings and wish-granting results are enough to feel comfortable giving. For others, the salary level feels too high. The “right” answer is the one that fits your values when you look at both the numbers and the impact.
Where can I check the Make-A-Wish CEO salary myself?
You can look up Make-A-Wish Foundation of America’s Form 990 through the IRS search tool, ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer, or major charity-rating websites. On that form, the CEO will be listed among the top officers, along with detailed compensation fields. Double-check the fiscal year, then compare with summaries from rating sites or charity directories if you want a second view.
How does Make-A-Wish decide what to pay its CEO?
Pay for the Make-A-Wish CEO is set by the board of directors, often through a dedicated compensation or executive committee. That group gathers data on what similar-sized nonprofits pay, reviews performance and responsibilities, and then votes on a compensation package. Form 990 filings usually describe this process briefly, and rating sites often note whether it follows established best-practice guidelines.
Are nonprofit CEO salaries like this normal?
For small local nonprofits, a six-figure salary at this level might seem very high. For large national organizations with budgets in the hundreds of millions and complex responsibilities, CEO compensation in the mid-six-figure range is more common. Whether that feels “normal” or “too much” is a personal judgment, but many boards aim to keep pay within the range of similar charities competing for experienced leaders.
What if I’m not comfortable with the Make-A-Wish CEO salary but still love the mission?
You have options. You might give directly to a local chapter, support a hospital foundation, or help a smaller wish-style charity whose CEO pay feels more comfortable to you. You could also volunteer, advocate, or support families directly. It’s possible to respect Make-A-Wish’s work and still choose a different path for your own giving based on your views about executive pay.
Conclusion
Questions about the Make-A-Wish CEO salary are really questions about trust: Can you trust this organization to use your gift wisely while caring for children facing critical illnesses? By looking at Form 990 data, rating-site summaries, staff pay context, and wish-granting results, you can form your own clear, informed answer.
Natalie Cole is an American writer focused on everyday wishes, notes, and simple messages people can send without overthinking. At Wishhmii, she contributes to a broad range of topics, helping readers express thanks, support, joy, and care in plain, genuine language. Her goal is to make it easier for anyone to say “I’m here for you” or “I’m happy for you” at the right time.