As the President and CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship), Yael Eckstein oversees all ministry programs and serves as the organization’s international spokesperson. The Fellowship stands as Israel’s largest humanitarian aid provider. In 2021, it raised over $200 million, supporting two million Jews in need across Israel and globally.
Each year, Candid releases its Nonprofit Compensation Report, offering insights into executive pay in the non-profit sector. This report, the largest of its kind, compiles data directly from the IRS. Yael Eckstein, a strong advocate for closing the gender pay gap among female executives, acknowledged that while the 2021 Nonprofit Compensation Report indicates progress, a disparity remains—women in leadership roles continue to earn less than their male counterparts across organizations of all sizes.
In the for-profit sector, gender wage disparities had been steadily improving since 2015. However, from 2021 to 2022, no further progress was made. Currently, women earn $0.82 for every $1 earned by men. However, when factors such as job level, education, experience, industry, and hours worked are considered, the gap narrows significantly, with women earning $0.99 for every $1 men earn.
The discrepancy between these figures highlights a critical issue—while women who remain continuously employed earn nearly equal salaries to men, career interruptions, particularly those related to motherhood, contribute to a broader wage gap. Women who take career breaks often face wage penalties upon re-entering the workforce, affecting their long-term earnings.
The occupations with the most significant gender wage disparities in the U.S. include physicians, surgeons, veterinarians, and directors. Additionally, the Religious Activities and Education sector ranks among the top ten industries experiencing financial losses due to pay inequality.
Jenna Allen, a senior data services analyst at Candid, emphasized that while the 2021 Nonprofit Compensation Report demonstrates improvements, women leading non-profits continue to earn less than men in equivalent roles.
When examining median executive compensation, science and health organizations remain at the top, with a median salary of $196,000. In contrast, religious institutions—alongside animal-related and arts organizations—rank among the lowest, with median executive earnings of $65,000.
The highest-paid nonprofit CEO in the U.S. is James Skogsbergh, CEO of Advocate Aurora Health, a 26-hospital system, earning $8,511,655 annually. Advocate Aurora Health reported a revenue of $5.5 billion in 2018. Meanwhile, Forbes’ top-ranked charity, United Way Worldwide, generates $5.2 billion annually, with its CEO earning $1,578,515 per year.
The Society for Human Resource Management has warned that organizations failing to address pay inequities proactively may face internal tensions, leading to employee dissatisfaction and increased turnover. As a result, more organizations are prioritizing pay equity analyses to ensure competitive salaries that attract and retain top professionals.
According to Yael Eckstein, IFCJ President, “Salary, benefits, and incentives motivate talented and experienced professionals. At The Fellowship we have worked hard to foster a meritocracy where outstanding employees can be appropriately rewarded for their contribution to our organization’s mission.”
Despite ongoing disparities, the increasing focus on Yael Eckstein salary and broader compensation trends underscores the need for continuous efforts toward equitable pay in the nonprofit sector.
