One more note RE: Mahfood's salary
Posted by CwajH  |  November 18, 2009 5:59:30 AM

We know that Mahfood's presence at Food For The Poor increases their ability to help the poor by some unknown degree. If he makes a bigger difference than a $300k annual cash donation would be able to make, and if no other candidate for the job has come forward who would provide a greater gain (compared to their asking salary), then it's a good use of FftP's cash even if he's only in it for the money. And we don't know whether he's only in it for the money, or to what extent; he may be anything from a Scrooge who's snapped up a good gig, to a guy with a big family and other charity causes to support. For all we know, he might even be donating most of that salary back and just "not letting his left hand know what his right hand is doing." Without a lot of internal info about FftP's finances, we have no way of knowing whether his salary is unethically large or not. The important question is really how OUR donations are being used - and whether gov't in-kind grants are masking the answer.

More info about
Posted by CwajH  |  November 18, 2009 5:58:50 AM

Also note: for those of you looking at in-kind versus cash donations, I've found that the Better Business Bureau (BBB.org)'s financial records are a good source of additional information on this - income is broken down by source, including stuff like whether the money is in the bank or is a pledge for next year. Of course, as I mentioned earlier, it's unclear how much of these "administrative" expenses pay salaries, versus how much money goes to securing the huge in-kind gov't donations included in the 900 million figure (real example: a shipment of counterfeit Nikes intercepted by the Coast Guard)... a lot more information is necessary before assuming good or bad faith on the part of the organization.

That said, if anyone has a suggestion of a leaner, meaner charity doing similar work at a similar benefit-per-dollar-donated, I'm all ears.

RE: OrenRose's question about apples-to-apples
Posted by CwajH  |  November 18, 2009 5:51:49 AM

"Primary Revenue: The revenue a charity generates as a result of the work it does [...] includes grants and contributions, revenue produced from programs and services, and membership fees and dues."

Seems to imply that any organization listed on Charity Navigator will have government grants lumped into the "Primary Revenue" category. So at least comparisons based on this website's data will be apples-to-apples (even if it won't be comparing the numbers some people are most concerned about). Personally, I'm also curious as to how much of "general fund" donations go to programs vs. administration or fundraising (as compared to in-kind donations).

which percentage is right?
Posted by OrenRose  |  July 5, 2009 7:48:31 AM

Someone wrote that the 97% includes donated food from the Department of Agriculture NOT private donations. How does this compare to other charities? Do they also include government donations as part of their counted donation. Are we comaring apples to apples?

It seems to me numbers can certainly be manipulated.

A $5 million fraud loss
Posted by patsw  |  May 18, 2009 6:28:10 AM

Reported on Radio Jamaica http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/17422/26/ That's a loss of 0.5% of their total revenue. Who's minding the store?

My contribution to FFTP caused undesired requests
Posted by CB  |  May 7, 2009 8:38:01 AM

I contributed generously with a match from my employer after a very smooth solicitation at my church back in March of 1999. In their thank you note, I noticed they mis-spelled my last name in a way I had never seen it mis-spelled. From that point we were getting unsolicited request from all kind of organizations which had obviously bought my mis-spelled name.I have sent them nothing since.

Will start contributing today to this charity
Posted by eb  |  April 6, 2009 6:08:01 AM

I wasn't impressed with super big charities at first until I saw this one. I'm now! Maybe that's why it has grown this large because they know how to handle our money. I'd rather give to a big charity that gives most of my money to the cause, than a small charity that gives 30-50% of it. This guy is doing a great job considering how large this charity is, maybe he deserves a RAISE!

'Cmon folks join the real world
Posted by John S  |  April 3, 2009 6:18:16 AM

I work in local government as a public servant and see that there are middle, do-nothing managers, who make $100,000 in take-home salary....

Mahfoods salary includes all benefits which is typically 35%+ of any full compensation figure....

May God bless this organization for using $97 of every $100 toward those who's need's are so profound. We in this great country have become so spoiled and jaded, forgetting that even the most meager salary here in our country would feed a family of 10 somewhere else for a very long time...

Stop chastising and criticizing those who are working to help others...

Soften your hearts and give...All you have in this life comes from God above....Let the good Lord judge those who handle your donations....let your money flow to those who need it...

another perspective...
Posted by lilybeth  |  March 23, 2009 6:16:09 AM

For every $1 donated to Food for the Poor, 0.03 cents goes to Mr. Mahfood's salary. You'd have to donate $100 for him to even get a penny. One penny to Mr. Mahfood, $97 to the poor. Good use of my donated money, I'd say.

When Is a Non-Profit Executive worth $315,000?
Posted by Leslie J.  |  March 23, 2009 6:15:35 AM

The only thing that would make me feel better about the President/CEO's compensation, would be if he contributes that big raise to Food for the Poor. I am having a hard time understanding how any non-profit Board could approve such a high salary, especially when their goal is to help the starving!! I am going to contribute for the Easter Matching Gift, but I will be looking for another charity; unless this Board can somehow convince me that anyone deserves this money more than the poor that we are trying to help. :(

Director compensation
Posted by Albert Spizzo  |  February 27, 2009 12:28:53 PM

I have been a contributor and was ready to make another contribution until I saw the compensation of the director. This is bothersome and I will not contribute further.

Compensation
Posted by Fast Eddy  |  February 17, 2009 6:40:10 AM

What ever happened to charities that are run by volunteers or a few low paid folks. Hands Together is a charity working in Haiti on admin expenses of $100,000 and you only hear from them twice a year. Possibly they are getting funds from FFP, but they certainly are focused on their mission.

Revenue not what it appears
Posted by AnnR  |  February 17, 2009 6:36:48 AM

I have donated to Food for the Poor for many years including building houses in Nicaragua. I was also impressed by the low percentage of fund raising and admin expenses until I looked closer at their financial reports. Food for the Poor includes the value of donated items (from the US Department of Agriculture)in their total revenue. Actual cash donations are 8.6% or closer to $90 million, not over $1 billion. This means the fund raising expenses of $25 million are closer to 28% and admin to 9%. Mr. Mahfood and Food for the Poor directors may believe he deserves over $300,000 in compensation (3.3%). I believe I need to give my future donations for the poor to a different charity.

the work of FFTP
Posted by James Dobbs  |  February 4, 2009 9:35:27 AM

My wife and I have traveled with FFTP twice in 2008 to see their work in Haiti first hand. We toured feeding centers in the deepest slums, orphanages and schools in Port au Prince. I guarantee you that these people are good stewards of our money and that they fill a desperate need each and every day. I am extremely skeptical. I had to see it first hand to believe it. These folks are the real deal.

solicitations
Posted by GJK  |  February 3, 2009 6:55:32 AM

Food for the Poor is the most aggressive organization for mailings that I have ever encountered. Especially toward my elderly mother! Their incessant solicitations are what prevents my donating to them.

compensation
Posted by Billy  |  January 22, 2009 6:51:06 AM

Normally i do not support charities where the ceo makes over $150,000 but the fact that this organization uses almost 97% of every dollar to go to their programs says ALOT. I will continue supporting this charity.

amount of mailings once you give to FFTP
Posted by radioguy  |  January 21, 2009 10:35:35 AM

Just wondering if anyone can tell me if I support FFTP, whether I will get a mailing a month from here to eternity, or do you only get occassional mailings? Thanks. Considering the organization, but don't like it when my name is sold to others or that I get a ton of mail as a result of a one time gift.

compensation
Posted by GJK  |  January 21, 2009 10:34:44 AM

For the sake of accuracy, 'compensation' does not equal 'salary'. Compensation is salary plus travel expenses plus medical insurance plus disability insurance plus retirement plan plus life insurance...

Mahfood's Compensation
Posted by Chris C  |  December 4, 2008 6:37:49 AM

In the book of Deuteronomy it says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is threshing." (25:4) His salary is .03% of total expenses. He has big job and he apparently does it well. Maybe we all just a little too envious. I say, Thank you Mr. Mahfood. Please keep up the good work. If you salary was $100,000 there would still be people who thought it was too high.

Mr Mahfood's Compensation
Posted by hcole  |  November 24, 2008 8:57:18 AM

In a free market environment, non-profit and not-for-profit are accorded special governance in the way of tax administration. However, one must remember that they still have to compete for the patronage of donors much like any profit-seeking venture vying for the favour of the markets consumers.

Mr. Mahfood's leadership of FFP demonstrates the kind of business acumen valued by leading private sector corporations. Why then, should he be criticized for serving the good of the less privileged and still wanting to provide for his family? Might I also add that Mr Mahfood's devotion to this position takes away from his family time in much the same manner as those receiving equal or even lesser renumeration in the corporate world.

Finally, I would like to say that having been born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, I was able to witness, firsthand the kindness of Mr Mahfood and his larger extended family (parents, siblings, etc). They were and are never slow to share their time and personal wealth with the poor.As fellow parishioners at my Mum's church they are among the more unassuming, engaging, and approachable servants and benefactors of Christ's charities. They truly are a blessing.

Mahfood's Compensation
Posted by Joe Weinrich  |  October 28, 2008 5:52:21 AM

Two things: First... Mahfood makes $2 per minute. Rewrite the ads so that "Your gift of $20 will enable our chairman to work for 10 minutes." Second...Comparing Food4Poor to executives with major companies just might be very accurate.

I am disgusted with myself for having donated to this group, no matter how rationalized and justified they attest, for the last twelve years. I even sent a donation when my wife died and my mother too. God, what if it happened to be that time of the month when Mahfood's check was being cut.

I will hand out leaflets at my church the next time I hear that a missionary is soliciting donations at Mass.

Mahfood: Do NOT quote Christ and his disciples when you solicit donations!

I am disgusted.

Mahfood's Compensation
Posted by SSH  |  September 26, 2008 11:09:21 AM

In refernce to those who question the salary of this man. I ask this simple question. What motivates your questioning? In light of the success he has worked which has translated into many many more dollars foor the poor then what his salary is, could it be that you folks who disagree simply envy his salary?

compensation
Posted by docjerry  |  September 11, 2008 7:47:40 AM

I think that his compensation is totally in line especially in light of the fact that he is managing a $800MM budget with very little overhead.

Lets move on
Posted by Dennis Mac  |  June 18, 2008 10:25:21 AM

Lets focus on the main job at hand and that is helping to feed the poor. We in developed countries can go into a store and have a pick of thousands of items of food....more than most of these poor see possibly in their life. In order to administer, in an effecient manner, such a large indeaver a person must be extreamly organized which most of us are not. We should be thankful for a person of Mahfood's abilities for running this Food For the Poor. I say good job and keep up the good work.

Much Deserved Compensation
Posted by Ms. D  |  May 19, 2008 6:04:56 AM

Why does he need to take a paycut? It appears that he is doing an extraordinary job. If you look at the numbers, his compensation is minuet in comparison to what he can actually command in Corporate America. You act like he should work for free because the organization he works for happens to be a not-for-profit...Well, as a fellow worker for a not-for-profit organization, we are people that clock in and clock out too & are entitled to our earnings. Until you have experienced the other side of the fence, you really need to be careful what you speak and how you judge, for you too will be dealt the same or worse.

Mahfood's Compensation
Posted by Cliff  |  May 2, 2008 5:41:11 AM

Would the people that are complaining about the compensation be happier if an incompetent person is hired at half the salary? That is the problem with many poorly ran nonprofits. They dont run the orginazation like a business and then they sit around wondering why they are failing. By looking at the numbers this gentleman has achieved, I think you should be thankful to have Mr. Mahfood leading the organization. Maybe the people that are questioning his salary have the same ability and would like to volunteer for half the money? It is easy to complain but not so easy to achieve the results Mr. Mahfood has posted. I think you need to remember you get what you pay for.

Compensation Critics Way Off Base
Posted by Elizabeth  |  April 21, 2008 9:28:35 AM

I was surprised to read that people are criticizing Mr. Mahfood's compensation. As someone who works in the NonProfit field I can tell you that he is not AT ALL grossly compensated. The man manages a nonprofit with an operating budget of over $800 million dollars! And to that extent, manages it well, with amazing fundraising efficiency. He is to be commended, not criticized!

CEO Compensation
Posted by NateP  |  April 14, 2008 6:02:48 AM

Simple Math: according to FFP's website, it costs $3/month to feed one child. Mahfood's big bucks could feed over 8000 children for a whole year! It is a big turn-off to donating...it is my only qualm. There's way too much room to question, "What truly motivates these leaders?" Mr. Mahfood, when I hear that you've taken a large voluntary paycut, I will not hesitate to donate. Who wants to join me in this pledge?

Mr Mahfood and the Mission
Posted by Doug-NY  |  March 10, 2008 6:00:56 AM

While I am as skeptical as anyone regarding compensation for non profit executives, you really need to look at the impact on the overall mission of the organization. I have been supporting FFP for many years, even as I've fallen away from my own church. It is fair, to some extent, to compare non-profits against "for profit" organizations. In the end we want the person running the organization that we believe can maximixe returns - in this case the returns are the lives we help to save and improve. Of course it would be nice to have the ideal leader running every charity - someone who is able to most effectively carry out the mission while accepting little or no compensation. I believe Mr Mahfood is committed and this continues to be a higly rated charity. In the end I don't mind paying him a little more to keep it that way.

Mahfood's Compensation
Posted by Joanne  |  March 3, 2008 6:41:15 AM

While Mr. Mahfood seems to have performed administrative miracles, this is still a nonprofit. Perhaps compensation should have been more modest; after all, the greatest reward comes in helping those less fortunate (and still making a respectable living from it). Non-profits should not continue to compare themselves with huge "for profit" corporations when addressing administrative salaries.

Robin Mahfood, President, CEO Compensation
Posted by Mike F  |  February 29, 2008 7:04:35 AM

I was surprised by the 02/04/2008 posting criticizing Mahfood's compensation. Food for the Poor is just one of fifty charities we have supported over the last ten years. There is not one charity that can match the organizational efficiency of Food for the Poor. Ninety-six cents of every donated dollar reaches the mouth of the hungry (see program expenses). We are fortunate to have a man of incredible faith who runs an organization with net assets less than two weeks in reserve trusting God will fill the coffers to continue feeding the poor. If we had to compete with the private sector for Mahfood's leadership, we would recognize the bargain we have at Food for the Poor.

Explanation of compensation by Executive Director
Posted by Angel Aloma  |  February 13, 2008 8:14:52 AM

I would like to respond to the concern expressed regarding Robin Mahfood’s salary.

Mr. Mahfood accepted the position of President/C.E.O. of Food For The Poor, Inc., at a reduced salary set by our Board of Directors. At his time of hire, Mr. Mahfood not only faced the many internal challenges of leading a large organization, but was also faced with external issues beyond anyone's expectations. He met challenges of managing the widespread fears and uncertainties resulting from the tragedy of Sept. 11th, 2001, the subsequent Wall Street crisis and down-spiraling economy that followed; scandals in the corporate and non-profit worlds that eroded the public's trust, particularly in regards to larger organizations; and the debilitating internal crisis of two of our most supportive religious denominations.

One would hardly have been surprised if Food For The Poor struggled to barely survive under these conditions, as did many other non-profits. Under Mr. Mahfood's leadership, the organization's doubled twice in 7 years, culminating in another record year in 2007 when more than a billion dollars in aid was sent to the desperately poor (a total which eclipsed income of the first 20 years of our organization).

Mr. Mahfood has great expertise in reducing costs and increasing income, managing with efficiency and transparency, and motivating and encouraging staff to produce at maximum capacity. We have received rave notices from credible charity watchdogs (including this one, Ministry Watch, Forbes Magazine and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance) and became the 2nd largest international charity in the United States (Chronicle of Philanthropy). Our administrative cost ratio (including fundraising) plummeted from 9.3% in 2000 to the superlative estimate for 2007 of 3.27%.

Recognizing his exceptional talent and appreciating his dedication, the Board voted to adjust Mr. Mahfood’s remuneration to a level befitting a CEO/President of a billion dollar + a year organization.

Compensation
Posted by TexasJoe  |  February 11, 2008 12:44:47 PM

The fact that Mahfood is able to keep the bulk of the resources going to the people for which this charity was set up says alot about Robin's executive abilities. I am guessing that Robin could make substantially more in the corporate world, but I understand the distress in the amount of the compensation package.

Mahfood's Compensation
Posted by Kim Y  |  February 4, 2008 6:54:39 AM

This is the only thing about Food for the Poor's financial dealings that seems substantially bad! Yearly compensation of this level gives the impression that Mahfood is greedy, selfish, and misusing people's donations to Food for the Poor! Mahfood probably make's more money than most people do who give money to Food for the Poor. Mahfood needs to take a huge paycut!