10 Things You Didn't Know About the International Red Cross

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Its CEO gets a 1 M USD salary! I thought charities were about giving not taking!

Henry of CA 8:12PM February 29, 2012

Any news about A defector's strange disappearance?

Lily Thomas of AL 12:46PM December 13, 2011

Marsha Evans Salary is not "much less then the average for these organizations." She receives about 650k a year plus 6 weeks of fully paid vacations, and numerious other expenses. ONLY 39 CENTS OUT OF THE DOLLAR GOES TOWARDS CHARITY.
The Salvation Army commissioner on the other hand only receives $13,000 plus housing cost to oversee a 2 billion dollar organization. 93 cents out of the dollar goes toward actual charity work.

Josh Schmunk of OK 1:47PM June 27, 2011

My dad was in WW2..he was very angry with the Red Cross..he said they wanted to charge them for coffee, cigarettes, etc.
I got it from the horses mouth and friend's of his who served with him in WW2.
Sadly, with all you say the Red Cross does, I cannot and would not support them

patty of KS 7:31PM June 10, 2011

$500K is too much yearly for any CEO, especially an organization such as the ARC. Shame, shame.

clbay of TX 2:43AM March 18, 2011

I, too, wish the American Red Cross CEO's would accept lower salaries, in line with their organization's charter and vision. That said, the ARC is ALWAYS there, moreso than any other charity. Almost daily there is a house fire and red cross people are there at oh dark thirty to provide immediate aid and assistance to the newly homeless, hungry, clothless families. The RC cannot pick and choose the events they must respond to. They have unfunded mandates from the government even though they are a private charitable organization. They are unique in this way. And by percentage of assets, the amount paid to the CEO is much less than average for these organizations. And don't forget the training, as in first aid and CPR, which may have payed it forward by saving many more lives! Thank goodness for the VOLUNTEERS!

Brian N of VA 5:45PM October 14, 2010

We also need to highlight that the CEO of the Red Cross (a "non-profit" org) is paid $565,000!
Apparently because that is what it takes to attract people with the necessary talent and experience for such a "large organization."
Interestingly, the US President only earns $400K ($200K as recently as Pres. Clinton) - so I think we can be sure that there are plenty of well qualified people who will capably lead the Red Cross without such an outrageous salary. Especially, given that most of their work is done by volunteers or extremely modestly paid staff.
I urge people to consider donating to other organizations that are also doing exemplary work - rather than a knee-jerk reflexive donation to the RC (helped by the media's default publicity of the RC.)
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For the sake of accuracy, here is the link to an article from WP.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/08/AR2008040801553.html
Interestingly, it also highlights the lack of in depth experience - stating that the person has "done little work in the primary mission of the Red Cross: disaster relief." and "will face a steep learning curve".

Aquila of CA 9:23PM January 22, 2010

The Red Cross made a good decision not to spend all of it's windfall donations after the 9/11 attacks. American generosity provided more than was needed for that particular event. Then the Red Cross was chastised for what I consider to be doing a very prudent and responsible thing. What if subsequently there were more attacks or other catastrophic and unforseen events? The Red Cross was in a position of great preparedness. Why
should every nickel received at that time be spent? Why should
they give a million to people who lost a loved one in the towers? It's great to help them if needed, but where is common
sense?

Rick formerly of Texas of MI 4:02PM January 22, 2010

It is unfortunate that this rescue organization has to pay its CEO such a large salary, however thats the true AMERICAN way organizations get the best people to manage.This person has many options to go to other places and in some cases for even more money.If you want the best to run your charity it's going to cost you.

Wallace R Rockwell Sr. of MA 3:42PM January 22, 2010

I sued the Red Cross over mismanagement and causing many family problems. They accused me a giving blood with the AIDS virus. When I gave them prove that I was clean, they blew me off and the judge said that "How dare I attach the Red Cross, such a great org." Because of the accusation, my wife left me and took the children. All they had to due was say that they made a mistake. PLUS the high pay of the CEO, last I heard was the the CEO in the USSA is making over $300,000 a year plus bonus.

Richard of NC 1:21PM January 22, 2010