Compensation Escalation Cycle
What does this mean?
Revenue grows modestly, but top officer compensation grows consistently for 5 years, breaching danger zones. The executive is negotiating aggressive raises against a compliant board.
The Path Forward
The Steward
Re-establishes board supremacy over executive extraction. It freezes compensation and mandates that all future financial rewards be tied strictly to verifiable mission expansion.
Title
Representative Institutions
Institutional Epochs
Historical Performance
| Year | Revenue | Top Comp | Comp % Rev | Score | Phase Label | Outlook | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Hidden | Hidden | — | — | Unknown | — | |
| 2021 | — | — | 24.4% | 14 | Critical Intervention Needed | Decline Risk | |
| 2020 | — | — | 24.3% | 18 | Critical Intervention Needed | Stable Watch | |
| 2019 | — | — | 15.3% | 22 | Critical Intervention Needed | Stable Watch | |
| 2018 | — | — | 15.5% | 23 | Critical Intervention Needed | Decline Risk | |
| 2017 | — | — | 10.0% | 27 | Critical Intervention Needed | Decline Risk | |
| 2016 | — | — | 7.6% | 30 | Critical Intervention Needed | Stable Watch | |
| 2015 | — | — | 4.6% | 32 | Critical Intervention Needed | Recovery | |
| 2014 | — | — | 11.6% | 23 | Critical Intervention Needed | Decline Risk | |
| 2013 | — | — | 9.2% | 33 | Critical Intervention Needed | Recovery | |
| 2012 | — | — | 12.1% | 31 | Critical Intervention Needed | Recovery | |
| 2011 | — | — | 8.3% | 29 | Critical Intervention Needed | Stable Watch |
Officer compensation history
Tax year 2021
| Name | Title | Phone | Compensation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cynthia Whitaker | Executive Director | 61.4% of Rev | ||
| Mandy Marrs | Board Member | — | ||
| Elizabeth Carmody | Board Member | — | ||
| Tammy Ewert | Board Member | — | ||
| Allison Barrett | Board Member | — | ||
| Stephanie Walker | Board Member | — | ||
| Mary Ann Elston | Board Member | — | ||
| Dondi Fielder | Board Member | — |
Score breakdown
The three components combine into a single 0–100 score weighted as shown. Full methodology →
Peer comparison
Compared to 50 other orgs in LA with NTEE prefix A6.
Most-divergent component: financial score sits 35 points below the peer median (0 vs. 35).
5-year trend: Compensation Escalation Cycle
Revenue grows modestly, but top officer compensation grows consistently for 5 years, breaching danger zones. The executive is negotiating aggressive raises against a compliant board.
What's driving this score
- Comp-to-revenue ratio of 24.4% is modestly above the sector's healthy band (18–22%) — worth monitoring.
- Financial resilience score in the bottom quartile — reserves and liabilities ratios warrant review.
What would change this score
The two changes that would most improve this score:
- Separate signing authority from fundraising authority when both are held by one person — removes the concentration penalty (~12 points).
- Build cash reserves to at least 3 months of operating expenses — moves financial resilience score meaningfully (~10 points).
Improving governance is a board decision. These are the levers.