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The 990 read · EIN 46-4950751 · IL · Fiscal year 2024

The Barack Obama Foundation

The Barack Obama Foundation: CEO salary, finances and where donations go

In its own words

“To inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world and to honor the legacy of president.”

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
$740K Valerie Jarrett, 0.8% of spending
Revenue
$209.8M 92.9% from donations and grants
Spent
$91.4M 55.9% on programs, as reported
Net assets
$1.07B end of 2024
Savings
140.6 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
People
337 employees, 750 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, 55.9¢ went to programs, as reported.

The split the charity filed.
55.9¢
Programs, $51.1M
25.8¢
Fundraising, $23.6M
18.2¢
Admin, $16.7M
Form 990 (2024), Part IX, line 25
Cost to raise $1
12¢
as reported

For each dollar donated, The Barack Obama Foundation spent 12¢ on fundraising.

Fundraising ÷ $194.9M 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 · 46.2% of program spending · $2.5M in grants $23.6M

Obama presidental center: In 2024 the obama foundation construction activities included completing the museum building superstructure and the commencement and installation of approximately 45% of the exterior cladding (stone and glass/curtainwall) across the museum, forum, and library buildings. Construction began on the athletic center ("home court") and by year's end the overall construction progress on the athletic center was approximately 40% complete. Interior fit-out work began on all four campus buildings. Activities also included advancing the museum component through accelerated…

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

Net assets: $3.5M to $1.07B in 10 years.

Net assets at each fiscal year end, 2014 to 2024.

Net assets at year end, $ millions
4
3
11
224
343
430
561
680
925
962
1071
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.

Valerie Jarrett
Director/CEO
$740,000
Robbin Cohen
Evp, Opc
$610,195
Alfreda Bradley-Coar
Evp, Chief Legal & People Officer
$424,769
Christina Tchen
Evp, Strategy & Impact
$397,992
Lori T Healey
Svp, Executive Project Officer
$371,232
Ammar Rizki
CFO
$362,816
Laura Lucas Magnuson
Evp, Global Programs
$359,929
Michael Strautmanis
Evp, External Affairs
$351,815
Form 990 (2024), Part VII, Section A
Largest outside contractors
ContractorServicePaid
Lakeside AllianceConstruction services$156,417,183
Bowa ConstructionConstruction services$23,442,752
Kubik Maltbie IncConstruction services$7,059,364
Ab Data LtdDirect mail services$6,048,806
Tod Williams Billie Tsien ArchitectArchitects$4,854,295
Form 990 (2024), Part VII, Section B
06 · Questions

The questions people ask about the The Barack Obama Foundation.

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

How much does the The Barack Obama Foundation CEO make?

Valerie Jarrett, Director/CEO, received $740,000 in reportable compensation in 2024, 0.8% of The Barack Obama Foundation's $91.4M in spending.

Form 990 (2024), Part VII

What percentage of The Barack Obama Foundation donations go to programs?

The Barack Obama Foundation reported 55.9% of 2024 spending as programs, 25.8% as fundraising and 18.2% as management.

Form 990 (2024), Part IX

How much money does The Barack Obama Foundation have?

Net assets were $1.07B at the end of 2024, about 140.6 months of spending.

Form 990 (2024), Part X

Does The Barack Obama Foundation 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. The Barack Obama Foundation Form 990, 2024 (IRS e-file)
  2. The Barack Obama Foundation Form 990 history (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
Cite this page

Amir Arani, “The Barack Obama Foundation: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/the-barack-obama-foundation/