October 29, 2009
Billy Graham Association's Leader Declines Pay
By Noelle Barton
A prominent charity executive who leads two big charities in North Carolina decided this month to stop receiving pay from one of the organizations.
The Rev. Franklin Graham, who serves as chief executive at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, in Charlotte, as well as at Samaritan’s Purse, in Boone, will no longer receive compensation from the former.
Last year the Billy Graham association paid Mr. Graham $633,722, plus benefits of $36,060. Mr. Graham’s father, the Rev. Billy Graham, founded the charity in 1950, and Franklin Graham has been at the helm since 2001.
Also in 2008, Samaritan’s Purse paid Mr. Graham $308,206 and benefits of $174,547. He has served as that charity’s top executive since 1979.
“He just felt it was the best thing to do, given the current economic climate in the country,” said Mark DeMoss, spokesman for Mr. Graham and for both charities, in an e-mail message to The Chronicle. “He did not want his compensation to distract from the work of the two organizations.”
No Retirement Payments
Mr. Graham also directed both charities to suspend contributions to his retirement plans. That decision means the Billy Graham association will not contribute to his retirement in 2009 or 2010, and Samaritan’s Purse, which had already paid his 2009 contribution, will not make a contribution in 2010, Mr. DeMoss said.
“These are not necessarily permanent decisions and will likely be reviewed from year to year,” Mr. DeMoss said.
Both charities are listed on The Chronicle’s annual Philanthropy 400 list, just out this week, which ranks the top 400 charities in the country based on private donations.
Samaritan’s Purse, the larger of the two, ranked No. 59, and raised about $291-million in 2008, an increase of about 11 percent over 2007. Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, No. 258, raised about $83-million in 2008, which was down about 5 percent from 2007.
For more information on Mr. Graham’s compensation history at each charity, see The Chronicle’s annual special report on executive pay at charities and foundations.
Comments
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Big deal. A clergyman who is paid an outlandish million bucks a year foregoes some of his salary one year as a PR gesture. What a joke.
— Jeff Steele Oct 29, 03:13 PM #
I agree – during any economic climate it is not ok to make that much money as the head of a nonprofit. Is he an FTE of both organizations? How does that work?
— p Oct 29, 03:23 PM #
Jeff and P —
How can you guys criticize the man for doing the right thing? You know that Boards set salaries and benefits, not the CEO. Samaritan’s Purse is no small outfit and raises tens-of-millions of dollars a year to help people. Believe it or not, his salary is in line with other charities that size. Think of the added good that this money will do!
— Kevin Feldman Oct 29, 06:05 PM #
That is a lot of money but he raises and delegates a lot of help to others and oversees many staff. I am torn by the amounts but pleased that he is giving up half his pay. Not many people would do that. But, does anyone really need that much money? I don’t.
— Gary Sweeten Oct 29, 08:53 PM #
Keep in mind that $300,000 or so is a drop in the bucket compared to Wall Street salaries. Talk about people not needing that much money!
— Mike Oct 30, 11:47 AM #
Let’s not bash those people that are doing good things…just hope this is a trend that catches on with the Wall Street execs!
— Sharon Oct 30, 01:19 PM #
Three cheers for Franklin’s big heart, knowing of the millions SP has helped live! To think I once served with BGEA thrills my soul God bless you all!
— Peggyed1@juno.com Nov 1, 05:49 PM #
I am disappointed that Franklin only began to consider the right thing when his wrong thing became public.
— Larry Nov 2, 12:27 PM #
Franklin Graham is being employed as a chief executive, not as a clergyman. (Are we really saying that it’s impossible for those with ministerial degrees to have business talent? And do we really mean to say that it’s “wrong” for a nonprofit organization to compensate its officers and employees at a level comparable so similar organizations in the marketplace?)There has been no wrongdoing here.
For Franklin to voluntarily give up two-thirds of his salary is a tremendous step of generosity. Since his own personal biography is closely intertwined with the history of both these organizations, I’m sure it is not the first time he has made a sacrifice on their behalf—and it probably won’t be the last. I see it as a very laudable act of leadership.
— Ruth E. Johnson Nov 4, 02:26 PM #
I think the folks that are criticizing Franklin Graham’s income and his decision to voluntarily give up most of his wages should understand that there are tremendous expenses in the lifestyle required to support the vast administration which both these internationally acclaimed organizations demand. I’m certain, knowing the heart and well documented reputation of all the Graham’s, that Franklin would not profit from one penny of it. It is a very laudable act of leadership that I hope other CEO’s will have the faith to follow. Surely Franklin Graham is a perfect biblical example of “ a man worthy of his hire”
— Barbara Nichols Nov 16, 02:21 PM #