Skip to content
Charity Math
The 990 read · EIN 52-0914250 · VA · Fiscal year 2024

National Center for State Courts

National Center for State Courts: CEO salary, finances and where donations go

In its own words

“Improving the administration of justice through research, education and direct services.”

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
$368K Mary C Mcqueen, 0.3% of spending
Revenue
$104.3M 85.1% from donations and grants
Spent
$105.8M 88.7% on programs, as reported
Net assets
$38.7M end of 2024
Savings
4.4 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
People
365 employees, 26 volunteers
Form 990 (2024), Parts I, VII, IX, X
01 · Red flags

No red flags in its latest filing.

We screen every filing against twelve rules. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.

No reported asset diversions, no insider transactions, no fundraisers keeping most of the money, and the governance policies we check for are in place.

02 · Where $1 goes · 2024

Of each dollar it spent, 88.7¢ went to programs, as reported.

The split the charity filed.
88.7¢
Programs, $93.8M
1.0¢
Fundraising, $1.1M
10.3¢
Admin, $10.9M
Form 990 (2024), Part IX, line 25
Cost to raise $1
1¢
as reported

For each dollar donated, National Center for State Courts spent 1¢ on fundraising.

Fundraising ÷ $88.7M contributions · Form 990 Parts VIII, IX
03 · What it does

What it told the IRS it spent on.

The charity's own description of its largest programs, with what each cost.

Program 1 · 14.5% of program spending $13.6M

Direct services to state and local courts - the center serves as a technical assistance resource for the adaptation of improvements in the courts through consulting. The center performed approximately 210 individual state contracts in many areas, including foster care, human resources, automation, budget and financial issues, juries, facilities planning, caseflow management and court interpretation.

Program 2 · 5.2% of program spending $4.9M

Research programs - program delivers its services in data quality, governance, and analysis - turning data into useful, actionable information, help courts prepare for the future through trendspotting, anticipating challenges and needs.

Program 3 · 3.5% of program spending $3.3M

Clearinghouse activities - the center serves as a clearinghouse through which members of the court community and others interested in courts can exchange information and encourage improvements in state courts administration. Specific services are: distribution of court-related publications, court association management services, government relations, and information services.

Program 4 · 2.7% of program spending $2.6M

Educational and training - programs provides courses and training for court community.

Form 990 (2024), Part III
04 · The savings

Net assets: $21.6M to $38.7M in 11 years.

Net assets at each fiscal year end, 2013 to 2024.

Net assets at year end, $ millions
22
22
22
22
23
21
23
24
26
31
35
39
Form 990 history via ProPublicaForm 990 (2024)
05 · Who gets paid

The 8 highest-paid people.

Reportable pay in 2024, from the charity and related organizations.

Mary C Mcqueen
President and CEO
$367,542
Michael L Buenger
Exec. VP & Chief Oper. Officer
$282,540
Jeffrey a Apperson VP of
Internat. Programs - Until 11/2024
$230,452
Jesse Rutledge
VP External Affairs
$208,880
Amy Mcdowell
Chief Legal Officer/Secretary
$204,409
Laurie K Dudgeon
VP Court Consulting
$204,224
Pamela Casey
VP Research
$200,423
John Meeks VP Education
And Professional Development
$197,603
Form 990 (2024), Part VII, Section A
Largest outside contractors
ContractorServicePaid
Lawrence Township CourtsSubgrantee payment for consulting serv.$369,000
Cbiz Advisors LLCConsulting services- audit/tax$229,822
Chainalysis IncProfessional & consulting services$217,575
Stout Risius Ross LLCProfessional & consulting services$202,026
NY State Unified Court SystemSubgrantee payment for consulting serv.$194,464
Form 990 (2024), Part VII, Section B
06 · Questions

The questions people ask about the National Center for State Courts.

Short, sourced answers. Each one stands on its own.

How much does the National Center for State Courts CEO make?

Mary C Mcqueen, President and CEO, received $367,542 in reportable compensation in 2024, 0.3% of National Center for State Courts' $105.8M in spending.

Form 990 (2024), Part VII

What percentage of National Center for State Courts donations go to programs?

National Center for State Courts reported 88.7% of 2024 spending as programs, 1% as fundraising and 10.3% as management.

Form 990 (2024), Part IX

How much money does National Center for State Courts have?

Net assets were $38.7M at the end of 2024, about 4.4 months of spending.

Form 990 (2024), Part X

Does National Center for State Courts have any red flags in its filing?

Its latest Form 990 triggered none of our twelve screening rules, which cover reported asset diversions, insider transactions, fundraiser costs, governance policies and spending patterns.

Form 990 (2024)
07 · Sources and citing

Every number, traced.

  1. National Center for State Courts Form 990, 2024 (IRS e-file)
  2. National Center for State Courts Form 990 history (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
Cite this page

Amir Arani, “National Center for State Courts: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/national-center-for-state-courts/