Petrelis Files

Unlike other media outlets that are blatantly commercial and profit-driven, National Public Radio is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit. As such, NPR must annually file an IRS 990 report, which is available on the web at www.guidestar.com.

The latest IRS 990 for NPR for FY 2003 shows it had $120,017,283 in revenue, of which only $204,508 was in the form of government grants.

One of the most fascinating things about any nonprofit's IRS 990 return is the information provided for pay levels of the top employees and directors.

Here are the highest salaries listed for journalists at NPR:

Robert Siegel, Senior Host
Compensation: $259,777
Benefits: $22,971
Total: $282,748

Robert Edwards, Senior Host
Compensation: $256,942
Benefits: $31,150
Total: $288,092

Scott Simon, Senior Host
Compensation: $214,950
Benefits: $25,947
Total: $240,897

Michele Norris, Host
Compensation: $199,039
Benefits: $3,207
Total: $202,246

Steve Inskeep, Correspondent
Compensation: $175,551
Benefits: $26,827
Total: $202,378


These are the figures listed for the NPR executives and officers:

Kevin Klose, CEO
Compensation: $309,080
Benefits: $62,962
Expenses: $5,957
Total: $377,999

Kenneth Stern, Executive VP
Compensation: $195,395
Benefits: $58,722
Total: $254,117

Bruce Drake, VP
Compensation: $162,011
Benefits: $30,347
Total: $192,358

Jeffrey Dvorkin, Ombudsman
Compensation: $148,837
Benefits: $25,611
Total: $174,448


This is the direct link to the latest IRS 990 return for National Public Radio: http://documents.guidestar.org/2003/520/907/2003-520907625-1-9.pdf.

Frankly, I don't think there's anything wrong with these salary and benefit levels, but I do think NPR should inform its audience, especially on its web site, that it is a nonprofit and their IRS 990 return is posted at the GuideStar site.