The $1.2 Million Question: Breaking Down The ASPCA CEO's Salary And The Controversy

The question of how much the CEO of the ASPCA makes is one of the most frequently asked and most scrutinized topics in the animal welfare sector. As of the latest publicly available financial data, reflecting the organization's 2023 filings, the President and CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Matt Bershadker, receives a total compensation package that exceeds $1 million, making him one of the highest-paid executives in the nonprofit world. This significant figure sparks an ongoing debate about executive pay at major charities.

This article, updated for late 2025, dives into the most current figures, the exact components of his pay, and the crucial context that explains why a major nonprofit organization with a Four-Star Charity Navigator rating justifies a seven-figure salary for its top leader. The compensation is a complex mix of base salary, bonuses, and deferred benefits, all detailed in the organization’s mandatory IRS Form 990 filings.

Matthew E. Bershadker: A Brief Biography and Career Overview

Matthew E. Bershadker, widely known as Matt Bershadker, has been at the helm of the ASPCA for over a decade, guiding the organization through significant expansion and legislative efforts. His career trajectory within the ASPCA is a key factor in understanding his current executive compensation.

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• Full Name: Matthew E. Bershadker
• Current Title: President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the ASPCA.
• Appointment Date: Named President and CEO in May 2013, succeeding Ed Sayres.
• ASPCA Tenure: He is a long-time veteran of the organization, having served for nearly 15 years prior to his CEO appointment.
• Previous Role: Prior to becoming CEO, Bershadker served as the Senior Vice President of the Anti-Cruelty Group (ACG).
• Key Focus Areas: Under his leadership, the ASPCA has focused heavily on national programs, legislative advocacy, anti-cruelty efforts, and providing grants to local shelters.

Bershadker's role is not merely managing a local shelter; it involves overseeing a nationwide operation with a massive annual budget, complex legal battles, and extensive fundraising campaigns, a scope that the ASPCA argues necessitates a high level of executive talent.

The Million-Dollar Question: Breaking Down the ASPCA CEO’s Compensation

The compensation for the ASPCA's CEO is public information, derived from the organization's annual IRS Form 990, which is required for all tax-exempt nonprofits. The most recent data reveals a substantial package, which often varies slightly year-to-year based on performance bonuses and deferred compensation plans.

Based on the latest available financial disclosures (reflecting 2023 data), Matt Bershadker's total compensation package was reported to be:

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• Total Compensation (Most Recent Public Filing): Approximately $1,203,267.
• Base Salary Component: His base salary is generally reported around the $750,000 to $880,000 range.
• Bonus and Incentives: A significant portion of the total compensation comes from performance-based incentives and bonuses, which can amount to several hundred thousand dollars.
• Other Benefits: The remainder includes retirement plan contributions, non-taxable benefits, and deferred compensation.

It is important to note the upward trend in his compensation over recent years, moving from $990,525 in 2021 to over $1.2 million in the most recent filing. This places him firmly in the category of "Million Dollar" nonprofit CEOs, a group that includes executives from other large, national charities.

Controversy and Context: Why Does a Nonprofit CEO Earn Over $1.2 Million?

The seven-figure salary of the ASPCA CEO is a consistent source of public and donor controversy. Critics argue that such a large sum is excessive for a charity and that the money should be channeled directly into animal care, veterinary services, or grants for local shelters. This public scrutiny often centers on the difference between the ASPCA's national focus and the immediate, local needs of animal rescues.

The ASPCA's Defense of Executive Pay

The organization, and the nonprofit sector as a whole, typically defends high executive compensation with several key arguments:

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1. Scale of Operations: The ASPCA is a massive, multi-million dollar enterprise with a national scope, managing hundreds of employees, complex legal and legislative agendas, and a vast donor base. In 2023, the organization reported total revenue of approximately $379 million.
2. Executive Talent Retention: To manage an organization of this size and complexity, the ASPCA argues it must compete with the private sector and other large nonprofits for top-tier executive talent. The compensation is set by an independent compensation committee to be competitive with similar-sized organizations.
3. Performance-Based Pay: A significant portion of the compensation is often performance-based, meaning the executive is rewarded for achieving strategic goals, such as successful anti-cruelty campaigns, legislative victories, and financial stability.

This debate highlights the fundamental tension in the nonprofit world: balancing the mission-driven goal of a charity with the need for professional, high-level management required to run a multi-million dollar corporation effectively.

ASPCA Financial Health and Transparency: Where Does the Money Go?

To fully understand the CEO's salary, it must be viewed in the context of the ASPCA's overall financial health and its commitment to program spending. Financial watchdogs and transparency ratings provide an essential counterpoint to the controversy.

Charity Navigator Rating

The ASPCA consistently receives high marks from independent charity evaluators. As of the most recent evaluation, the ASPCA holds a coveted Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, their highest possible rating. This rating indicates that the organization operates with exceptional financial health, accountability, and transparency.

Program Expense Ratio

A key metric for any charity is the Program Expense Ratio—the percentage of its total budget spent directly on its mission (program services). For the fiscal year 2023, the ASPCA's expense breakdown was reported as follows:

• Program Expenses: 75.1%
• Fundraising Expenses: 19.7%
• Administrative Expenses: 5.1%

A ratio of 75.1% dedicated to programs—which include shelter and veterinary services, anti-cruelty work, and field investigation—is considered a strong performance metric within the nonprofit industry, with the gold standard being 75% or higher. This demonstrates that while the CEO's salary is high, the vast majority of donor funds are directed toward the ASPCA's core mission.

The organization’s focus on financial transparency and accountability is further evidenced by its readily available annual reports and IRS Form 990 filings for public review.

The Complexity of Nonprofit Executive Compensation

The discussion around "how much does the CEO of ASPCA make" is a microcosm of a larger societal debate about executive pay in the modern nonprofit landscape. While the figure of over $1.2 million for Matt Bershadker is undoubtedly high, it reflects the market rate for leading a national organization with hundreds of millions in revenue and a complex, high-stakes mission.

For donors and the public, the key takeaway is to look beyond the single salary number. A comprehensive view requires examining the CEO's compensation alongside the organization's Charity Navigator rating, its program expense ratio, and its overall impact on animal welfare across the nation. The ASPCA’s financial data suggests that despite the high executive pay, the organization maintains strong financial health and directs a large percentage of its budget toward its stated program goals.