February 7, 2008 | Read Time: 1 minute
Some leaders of large Christian charities are “double dipping” their salaries — receiving pay from two different organizations, writes Bernie Dehler on his blog, FreeGoodNews, which reports on Christian finances and ethics.
For example, Mr. Dehler shows that according to 990 informational tax forms William Franklin Graham earned $120,905 in fiscal 2005 as president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, in Charlotte, N.C. During that same time period, he also made $345,293 as president of Samaritan’s Purse, a disaster-relief group in Boone, N.C.
Mr. Dehler believes that the total salary is excessive. “For a salary of $120K from one, and $345K for another, that’s a whopping $465K,” he writes.
On his blog, Mr. Dehler has compiled a list of 20 large Christian charities and what they pay their executives.
While he writes that he has concerns about what his list shows, he also notes that a few leaders, such as James Dobson of Focus on the Family, in Colorado Springs, Colo., do not accept a salary.
“Dr. Dobson doesn’t live a life of luxury, and seems to be far-removed from money scandals … a rare and needed role-model for Christian executives in regards to handling money,” he writes.
What do you think? Does Mr. Dehler’s list raise questions about compensation of leaders of religious groups and other nonprofit organizations? Click on the comment link below this post to share your thoughts.
