Big salaries in local non-profits

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - When you donate money to charities or non-profit organizations you don't usually assume your money is going to a highly paid CEO, but a 22News I-Team investigation discovered, in some cases, that's exactly where its going.

In the dictionary, a non-profit organization is defined as one that is not conducted for the purpose of making a profit, rather furthering a good cause.

Yet, a 22News I-Team investigation reveals some people at the top of these organizations are making a fatter paycheck than you may think.

We discovered this after digging into the 990 tax forms of some non-profits in our area.

We found, the non-profits are doing a lot of good in our communities and the people heading them up aren't doing so bad themselves.

Here is a list of just a few local non-profit organizations with at least one, sometimes two people making a six-figure salary.

Hap Housing Incorporated
Executive Director- Peter Gagliardi: $119,362.00

Spirit of Springfield
President- Judith Matt:
$153,303.00

Urban League of Greater Spfld
President- Henry Thomas
$157,579.00

Spfld Library and Museum Assoc.
Joseph Carvalho, Fmr President
$158,464.00

New England Farm Workers Council
President- Heriberto Flores: $345,748.00
Treasurer- John Motto: $179,741.00

Naismith Mem. Hall of Fame
President- John Doleva $297,781.00
CFO- Donald Senecal $172,891.00

One of the highest paid non-profit CEO's is Heriberto Flores, but, he's not the CEO of just one non-profit, he employs hundreds of people, oversees 12 organizations and businesses and pays taxes to the city - like any business would.

His salary, as many salaries of non-profits are, was determined by a committee who factored in what other people in similar positions make.

They also consider ones reputation.

"There's not one bank, not one business in New England or anywhere who can say, we did a deal with Herbie Flores and lost a penny. I know how to make profit for the corporation I do not know how to make profits for myself.  I live and breathe for this organization," Flores said.

Also near the top of our list, John Doleva, President/CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, making just shy of $300,000.

"What's important for folks to understand is that we get zero dollars from the state, the federal government or the city. Every dollar in revenue that we make, we earn," Doleva said.

It's important to note, most non-profits have to compete for their money.

Staying competitive in any business means paying an adequate salary to the person leading the charge.

Bottom line, a highly paid CEO may be at the receiving end of some of your donations, but the alternative could sabotage the charities you've come to rely on.

Click here if you're interested in taking a closer look at how non-profits spend their money.