John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: CEO salary, finances and where donations go
“The john f. Kennedy center for the performing arts (kennedy center) serves as both a presidential memorial and the nation's center for the performing arts.”
Data only Figures straight from the filing, screened by our rules. Not yet reviewed in depth by a CPA.
Methodology by Amir Arani, CPA, CA · Updated
- Top pay
- $1.4M Ms Deborah F Rutter, 0.4% of spending
- Revenue
- $516.6M 79.3% from donations and grants
- Spent
- $306.3M 87.9% on programs, as reported
- Net assets
- $778.1M end of FY ending Sep 2025
- Savings
- 30.5 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
- People
- 2,572 employees, 1,150 volunteers
2 things to look at.
We screen every filing against twelve rules. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.
No audited financial statements despite large revenue
Financial statements not audited on $516,578,163 of revenue.
Form 990 Part XII, line 2Business transactions with insiders or their companies
Part IV line 28b answered yes.
Form 990 Part IV, lines 28a–28c; Schedule L Part IVOf each dollar it spent, 87.9¢ went to programs, as reported.
For each dollar donated, John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts spent 4¢ on fundraising.
Fundraising ÷ $409.9M contributions · Form 990 Parts VIII, IXNet assets: $318.7M to $778.1M in 11 years.
Net assets at each fiscal year end, 2013 to 2025.
The 8 highest-paid people.
Reportable pay in FY ending Sep 2025, from the charity and related organizations.
| Contractor | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Bti Security | Security services | $7,935,215 |
| The Honors Inc | Production fees | $6,179,652 |
| Consigli Construction Co Inc | Construction | $4,795,493 |
| Buena Vista Theatrical Group | Company fees | $3,951,603 |
| Restaurant Associates Inc | Restaurant services | $3,087,986 |
The questions people ask about the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Short, sourced answers. Each one stands on its own.
How much does the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts CEO make?
Ms Deborah F Rutter, President (thru 02/25), received $1,362,056 in reportable compensation in FY ending Sep 2025, 0.4% of John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' $306.3M in spending.
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part VIIWhat percentage of John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts donations go to programs?
John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts reported 87.9% of FY ending Sep 2025 spending as programs, 5.4% as fundraising and 6.7% as management.
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part IXHow much money does John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts have?
Net assets were $778.1M at the end of FY ending Sep 2025, about 30.5 months of spending.
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part XDoes John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts have any red flags in its filing?
Its latest Form 990 triggered 2 of our twelve screening rules: no audited financial statements despite large revenue; business transactions with insiders or their companies. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025)Every number, traced.
- John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Form 990, FY ending Sep 2025 (IRS e-file)
- John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Form 990 history (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
Amir Arani, “John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/john-f-kennedy-center-for-the-performing-arts/