Program 1 · 33.8% of program spending · $83.4M in grants $91.0M
Democratic governance and political parties - the endowment seeks to promote strong stable political parties committed to the democratic process.
The 990 read · EIN 52-1344831 · DC · Fiscal year FY ending Sep 2025
National Endowment for Democracy
National Endowment for Democracy: CEO salary, finances and where donations go
Figures from National Endowment for Democracy's latest Form 990.
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
- $432K Mr Damon Wilson, 0.1% of spending
- Revenue
- $298.0M 99.8% from donations and grants
- Spent
- $298.4M 90.2% on programs, as reported
- Net assets
- $6.9M end of FY ending Sep 2025
- Savings
- 0.3 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
- People
- 343 employees, 23 volunteers
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, 90.2¢ went to programs, as reported.
The split the charity filed.
90.2¢
Programs, $269.1M
0.0¢
Fundraising, $0K
9.8¢
Admin, $29.3M
Cost to raise $1
0¢
as reported
For each dollar donated, National Endowment for Democracy spent 0¢ on fundraising.
Fundraising ÷ $297.4M contributions · Form 990 Parts VIII, IX03 · 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 2 · 30.3% of program spending · $74.7M in grants $81.4M
Pluralism - the endowment encourages the development of strong independent private sector institutions such as trade unions, business associations, civic and women's organizations.
04 · The savings
Net assets: $1.5M to $6.9M in 11 years.
Net assets at each fiscal year end, 2013 to 2025.
2
3
3
3
3
3
4
6
7
6
6
7
05 · Who gets paid
The 8 highest-paid people.
Reportable pay in FY ending Sep 2025, from the charity and related organizations.
Mr Damon Wilson
President & CEO
$432,464
Mr Brian Joseph
Vp, Programs
$260,642
Mr Christopher T Walker
Vp, Studies and Analysis
$250,564
Ms Nancy Herzog
Vp, Grant Operations and Eval.
$247,848
Ms Kirsten Madison
Vp, Government Relations
$244,235
Mr William Dobson
Co-Editor
$224,466
Ms Rebecca Varghese
Chief Financial Officer
$220,752
Ms Sheila Crowley
Chief Operating Officer
$213,233
Largest outside contractors
| Contractor | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Rei Systemsinc | Business continuity services | $718,064 |
| M3com of Virginia Inc | Business continuity services | $547,075 |
| Dragonfly Africa Tours Ltd | Event coordination | $405,150 |
| Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer | Legal services | $274,808 |
| Munger Tolles & Olson Llp | Legal services | $200,000 |
06 · Questions
The questions people ask about the National Endowment for Democracy.
Short, sourced answers. Each one stands on its own.
How much does the National Endowment for Democracy CEO make?
Mr Damon Wilson, President & CEO, received $432,464 in reportable compensation in FY ending Sep 2025, 0.1% of National Endowment for Democracy's $298.4M in spending.
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part VIIWhat percentage of National Endowment for Democracy donations go to programs?
National Endowment for Democracy reported 90.2% of FY ending Sep 2025 spending as programs, 0% as fundraising and 9.8% as management.
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part IXHow much money does National Endowment for Democracy have?
Net assets were $6.9M at the end of FY ending Sep 2025, about 0.3 months of spending.
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part XDoes National Endowment for Democracy 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.
- National Endowment for Democracy Form 990, FY ending Sep 2025 (IRS e-file)
- National Endowment for Democracy Form 990 history (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
Cite this page
Amir Arani, “National Endowment for Democracy: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/national-endowment-for-democracy/