IRS Shouldn’t Set Salary Standards

To the Editor:

I am concerned with the Internal Revenue Service’s fixation with setting standards for employee compensation in non-profits (“Intermediate Opinions,” January 28).

How would the I.R.S. determine the salary of the chief executive of an organization that serves thousands of needy families per year, covering a large geographic area like the state of Maine? This, thanks to hundreds of volunteers and only 13 employees, who work hard and sacrifice much to help others.

With a meager budget of $750,000 per year, I would say that this non-profit should be rewarded for its efficiency and profound impact on society and be able to compensate its staff accordingly. Otherwise, both the talent and skill that made this organization great would soon be lost to private industry.

Kevin D. Feldman
Development Director
Good Shepherd Food-Bank
Lewiston, Me.