I'm trying to write an article about donor advised funds and how they
compare with private foundations.  I believe that I read a year or so
ago that the average compensation for a board member of a private
foundation was $57,000 (which would seem to almost certainly include
the largest foundations in the country), but I cannot find the source
of that information.  Whatever the amount, I need to document it.  The
Council on Foundations may be able to provide it, but most of its
resources are "Member-Restricted."   The information is probably
public knowledge, but finding that information is challenging.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 15 Mar 2003 08:25 PST

Hello Steve,

I haven't seen anything on the $57,000 figure, but I'll keep looking.

If I understand your question correctly, you're looking for financial
information on non-profit organizations.  Most non-profits have to
file publicly-available documents on their activities that include a
lot of detailed information on compensation levels for staff and board
members.  If you accept compensation information for specific
organizations (rather than an average figure) please post a list here
of the groups you are interested in.

That way, I -- or another researcher -- can get you the data you need.

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Clarification of Question by steve3702-ga on 16 Mar 2003 07:52 PST

Good morning, and thanks for the email.

Yeah, it's the average figure I need for private foundations.  The
article I'm writing is a comparison of private foundations and donor
advised funds (both charitable entities).  One advantage of private
foundations, as you may know, is typically the ability to appt. family
members to the Board and to compensate them (options not available
with DAFs).

You're right, private foundations do file annual reports, so I think
the information is available--I just can't find it.  I'm almost sure I
read $57,000 in a brochure a few years back, and I would think that
that figure came from a public source.

Thanks!