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Charity Math
The 990 read · EIN 52-0907625 · DC · Fiscal year FY ending Sep 2025

National Public Radio

National Public Radio Inc: CEO salary, finances and where donations go

In its own words

“National Public Radio, inc. (NPR) collaborates with member public radio stations to create a more informed public, one challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding of events, ideas, and cultures.”

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
$695K Katherine R Maher, 0.2% of spending
Revenue
$354.1M 40.2% from donations and grants
Spent
$335.5M 65% on programs, as reported
Net assets
$169.3M end of FY ending Sep 2025
Savings
6.1 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
People
1,236 employees, 25 volunteers
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), 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 · FY ending Sep 2025

Of each dollar it spent, 65.0¢ went to programs, as reported.

The split the charity filed.
65.0¢
Programs, $218.1M
3.3¢
Fundraising, $11.1M
31.7¢
Admin, $106.4M
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part IX, line 25
Cost to raise $1
8¢
as reported

For each dollar donated, National Public Radio spent 8¢ on fundraising.

Fundraising ÷ $142.4M 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 · 16.4% of program spending $35.7M

Network, digital, and content support: funding in this category supports npr's product audience technology (pat), content support, and member partnership activities. Pat continued npr's public service by offering free content across web, mobile, and third-party platforms, reaching approximately 42 million users weekly. Through unified mobile apps, npr delivered real-time news, live audio and video streams, on-demand media, extensive archives, and digital-exclusive reporting. Behind the scenes, the content support team managed critical logistics for all reporting activities. This included…

Program 2 · 5.8% of program spending $12.7M

Distribution and interconnection: funding in this category supports expenses incurred by npr's distribution/interconnection division, which operates and manages the public radio satellite system (prss), a combined satellite and internet distribution network for public radio broadcast programming content. Delivering content produced by npr, member stations, and independent radio producers, the prss serves as essential infrastructure for the entire public media ecosystem. Crucially, it remains accessible to all public radio stations, regardless of their size, income, or programming affiliation.…

Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part III
04 · The savings

Net assets: $159.4M to $169.3M in 11 years.

Net assets at each fiscal year end, 2013 to 2025.

Net assets at year end, $ millions
159
140
128
124
126
133
140
127
151
141
133
169
Form 990 history via ProPublicaForm 990 (FY ending Sep 2025)
05 · Who gets paid

The 8 highest-paid people.

Reportable pay in FY ending Sep 2025, from the charity and related organizations.

Katherine R Maher
President & CEO
$695,444
Anya Grundmann
Former Officer
$534,471
Steven Inskeep
Sr. Host
$513,780
Michel Martin
Sr. Host
$513,317
Edith Chapin
Acting Cco & Svp, News & Editorial
$511,896
Daphne Kwon
Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer
$497,273
Michael Smith
Chief Marketing Off. (to 03/25)
$448,165
Peter Sagal
Host
$427,519
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part VII, Section A
Largest outside contractors
ContractorServicePaid
Whyy IncAcquired programs$9,448,211
WamuAcquired programs$3,478,574
WburAcquired programs$3,200,485
Ted Conferences LLCAcquired programs$3,000,000
C&w Facility Services IncJanitorial & engineering svcs$2,347,174
Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part VII, Section B
06 · Questions

The questions people ask about the National Public Radio.

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

How much does the National Public Radio CEO make?

Katherine R Maher, President & CEO, received $695,444 in reportable compensation in FY ending Sep 2025, 0.2% of National Public Radio's $335.5M in spending.

Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part VII

What percentage of National Public Radio donations go to programs?

National Public Radio reported 65% of FY ending Sep 2025 spending as programs, 3.3% as fundraising and 31.7% as management.

Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part IX

How much money does National Public Radio have?

Net assets were $169.3M at the end of FY ending Sep 2025, about 6.1 months of spending.

Form 990 (FY ending Sep 2025), Part X

Does National Public Radio 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 (FY ending Sep 2025)
07 · Sources and citing

Every number, traced.

  1. National Public Radio Form 990, FY ending Sep 2025 (IRS e-file)
  2. National Public Radio Form 990 history (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
Cite this page

Amir Arani, “National Public Radio: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/national-public-radio/