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Charity Math
The 990 read · EIN 94-1241309 · CA · Fiscal year FY ending Sep 2025

KQED

Kqed Inc: CEO salary, finances and where donations go

In its own words

“Inform, inspire, involve…”

Data only Figures straight from the filing, screened by our rules. Not yet reviewed in depth by a CPA.

Methodology by Amir Arani, CPA, CA · Updated

Top pay
$542K Michael Isip, 0.5% of spending
Revenue
$121.0M 81.6% from donations and grants
Spent
$111.4M 67.8% on programs, as reported
Net assets
$350.9M end of FY ending Sep 2025
Savings
37.8 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
People
577 employees, 982 volunteers
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Parts I, VII, IX, X
01 · Red flags

No red flags in its latest filing.

We screen every filing against twelve rules. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.

No reported asset diversions, no insider transactions, no fundraisers keeping most of the money, and the governance policies we check for are in place.

02 · Where $1 goes · FY ending Sep 2025

Of each dollar it spent, 67.8¢ went to programs, as reported.

The split the charity filed.
67.8¢
Programs, $75.5M
18.6¢
Fundraising, $20.8M
13.6¢
Admin, $15.1M
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part IX, line 25
Cost to raise $1
21¢
as reported

For each dollar donated, KQED spent 21¢ on fundraising.

Fundraising ÷ $98.8M contributions · Form 990 Parts VIII, IX
03 · What it does

What it told the IRS it spent on.

The charity's own description of its largest programs, with what each cost.

Program 1 · 24.8% of program spending $18.8M

Television: see schedule okqed 9 and kqed plus are among the nation's most-watched public television stations with an average of approximately 470,000 weekly viewers in the san francisco-oakland-san jose market. Kqed owns and operates public television stations kqed-tv/dt channel 9 (san francisco), kqeh-tv/dt channel 54 (san jose) and kqet-tv/dt channel 25 (watsonville/monterey).kqed's digital television channels include kqed 9, kqed plus, kqed world and pbs kids, and are available 24/7 over the air and on cable. Additionally, the kqed 9 livestream is available on the station's website and…

Program 2 · 13.4% of program spending $10.2M

Fm radio: see schedule okqed public radio is among the most-listened-to public radio stations in the nation, with an average of nearly 700,000 weekly radio listeners in the san francisco metro survey area.kqed owns and operates kqed public radio 88.5 fm san francisco and 89.3 fm sacramento. Its award-winning news and public affairs program service can be heard on 88.5 fm or comcast channel 960 in san francisco, kqed 89.3 fm in sacramento, 88.3 fm in santa rosa and 88.1 fm in martinez.kqed public radio broadcasts many programs from npr, as well as from other national and international…

Program 3 · 19% of program spending $14.3M

Kqed's digital projects and services include maintaining kqed's website kqed.org, the kqed mobile app, and developing content and applications for owned and third-party digital platforms, smart speakers and mobile devices; kqed.org hosts online services for kqed public television, kqed public radio and kqed educational services; and serves as a community convener, providing kqed live event listings, resources, crosswords, podcasts, blogs and other items of timely interest. Kqed.org functions as one of kqed's media platforms, delivering content specifically acquired and produced for the web.…

Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part III
04 · The savings

Net assets: $110.8M to $350.9M in 11 years.

Net assets at each fiscal year end, 2013 to 2025.

Net assets at year end, $ millions
111
116
119
129
233
228
257
266
310
286
305
351
Form 990 history via ProPublicaForm 990 (FY ending Sep 2025)
05 · Who gets paid

The 8 highest-paid people.

Reportable pay in FY ending Sep 2025, from the charity and related organizations.

Michael Isip
President and CEO
$542,294
Maria Miller
Chief Operations & Admin. Officer
$320,852
David Boutry
Chief Financial Officer
$314,255
Delinda Mrowka
Chief Revenue Officer
$311,375
Holly Kernan
Chief Content Officer (thru 06/2025)
$304,759
Michael Black
Vp, Corporate Sponsorship
$300,433
Duke Fan
Chief Product Officer
$281,145
Elizabeth Seirmarco
Local Marketing Director
$280,767
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part VII, Section A
Largest outside contractors
ContractorServicePaid
Universal Protection Service LpSecurity services$951,977
Ideo LpDesign consulting$310,000
Christina Shockley - Consulting LLCProfessional fundraising consultant$159,380
Thursday Strategy LLCProfessional consulting services$156,600
Grant Thornton LlpProfessional services - audit$143,783
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part VII, Section B
06 · Questions

The questions people ask about the KQED.

Short, sourced answers. Each one stands on its own.

How much does the KQED CEO make?

Michael Isip, President and CEO, received $542,294 in reportable compensation in FY ending Sep 2025, 0.5% of KQED's $111.4M in spending.

Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part VII

What percentage of KQED donations go to programs?

KQED reported 67.8% of FY ending Sep 2025 spending as programs, 18.6% as fundraising and 13.6% as management.

Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part IX

How much money does KQED have?

Net assets were $350.9M at the end of FY ending Sep 2025, about 37.8 months of spending.

Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part X

Does KQED have any red flags in its filing?

Its latest Form 990 triggered none of our twelve screening rules, which cover reported asset diversions, insider transactions, fundraiser costs, governance policies and spending patterns.

Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025)
07 · Sources and citing

Every number, traced.

  1. KQED Form 990, FY ending Sep 2025 (IRS e-file)
  2. KQED Form 990 history (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
Cite this page

Amir Arani, “KQED: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/kqed/