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Nonprofit executive incentive pay

Author

Listed:
  • Steven Balsam

    (Temple University)

  • Erica E. Harris

    (Villanova University)

Abstract

We utilize information only recently disclosed on Form 990 to examine the use, and consequences of, incentive pay at nonprofit organizations. Bonuses are common in nonprofits, as we observe that approximately 45% of the 44,000 organization-year observations in our sample reported paying CEO bonuses. We find that the bonuses are positively associated with profitability, competition from other nonprofits, firm size, available cash, and use of compensation consultants and committees, while negatively related to board oversight, donations, and grants. Our results also suggest that donors look unfavorably at the payment of bonuses; that is, bonuses are associated with lower future donations. Nonetheless, we find evidence consistent with the payment of bonuses incentivizing nonprofit executives, as despite reduced fundraising, future profitability and program services are positively associated with current bonus compensation.

Suggested Citation

  • Steven Balsam & Erica E. Harris, 2018. "Nonprofit executive incentive pay," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 1665-1714, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:reaccs:v:23:y:2018:i:4:d:10.1007_s11142-018-9473-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11142-018-9473-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Kopel, Michael & Marini, Marco A., 2022. "Mandatory disclosure of managerial contracts in NGOs," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 65-85.
    2. Erica E. Harris & Daniel G. Neely & Gregory D. Saxton, 2023. "Social media, signaling, and donations: testing the financial returns on nonprofits’ social media investment," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 28(2), pages 658-688, June.
    3. Martin Bugeja & Brett Govendir & Zoltan Matolcsy & Greg Pazmandy, 2021. "Is there an association between Vice‐Chancellors’ compensation and external performance measures?," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 61(1), pages 689-726, March.
    4. Michael Kopel & Marco A. Marini, 2020. "Mandatory Disclosure of Managerial Contracts in Nonprofit Organizations," Working Papers 2020.26, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    5. Andrew R. Finley & Curtis M. Hall & Amanda R. Marino, 2022. "Negotiation and executive gender pay gaps in nonprofit organizations," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 27(4), pages 1357-1388, December.

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