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Charity Math
The 990 read · EIN 98-6001029 · SZ · Fiscal year 2024

International Committee of the Red Cross

International Committee of the Red Cross: CEO salary, finances and where donations go

Figures from International Committee of the Red Cross' latest Form 990.

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
$512K Nils Melzer, 0% of spending
Revenue
$2.30B 98.1% from donations and grants
Spent
$2.02B 89.4% on programs, as reported
Net assets
$1.22B end of 2024
Savings
7.2 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
People
17,990 employees
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, 89.4¢ went to programs, as reported.

The split the charity filed.
89.4¢
Programs, $1.81B
1.2¢
Fundraising, $24.2M
9.4¢
Admin, $190.9M
Form 990 (2024), Part IX, line 25
Cost to raise $1
1¢
as reported

For each dollar donated, International Committee of the Red Cross spent 1¢ on fundraising.

Fundraising ÷ $2.26B 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 · 18.4% of program spending · $9.6M in grants $332.8M

Program 2 · 10.7% of program spending · $4.1M in grants $193.3M

Program 3 · 9.4% of program spending · $47.8M in grants $171.0M

The icrc has four major programs: essential services (4a), protection (4b), prevention (4c) and cooperation (below). The aim of the fourth program, icrc's cooperation with national societies. (example American red cross for the USA), is two-fold: 1)to strengthen operational relationship with host national societies to improve their activities for people affected by armed conflict and 2)to strengthen their capacities overall the icrc annual report available on our website described in detail the objectives and achievements of these four programs. Here is the website for the 2024 annual report:…

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

Net assets: $544.2M to $1.22B in 11 years.

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

Net assets at year end, $ millions
544
340
331
345
0
459
428
386
772
556
955
1216
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.

Nils Melzer
Director (end 12/31/24)
$511,930
Robert Mardini
Director-General (end 03/31/24)
$479,870
Martin Schepp
Director (end 08/31/24)
$463,121
Mirjana Spoljaric Egger
President
$454,155
Sarah Epprecht
Director (end 07/31/24)
$453,098
Katrin Wirsching
Deputy Director-General (end 4/30/23)
$378,965
Dibeh Fakhr
Head of Internal and Organizational Communication
$361,323
Pierre Oliver Kraehenbuehl
Director-General (start 04/01/24)
$347,682
Form 990 (2024), Part VII, Section A
Largest outside contractors
ContractorServicePaid
Merkel Switzerland AgPayroll, it and consulting services$8,461,771
Qim Info SaPayroll and consulting services$3,389,906
Albedis SaPayroll service$3,064,167
Switzerland Payroll ServicePayroll and consulting$2,671,753
Michael Page InternationalConsulting service$2,602,548
Form 990 (2024), Part VII, Section B
06 · Questions

The questions people ask about the International Committee of the Red Cross.

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

How much does the International Committee of the Red Cross CEO make?

Nils Melzer, Director (end 12/31/24), received $511,930 in reportable compensation in 2024, 0% of International Committee of the Red Cross' $2.02B in spending.

Form 990 (2024), Part VII

What percentage of International Committee of the Red Cross donations go to programs?

International Committee of the Red Cross reported 89.4% of 2024 spending as programs, 1.2% as fundraising and 9.4% as management.

Form 990 (2024), Part IX

How much money does International Committee of the Red Cross have?

Net assets were $1.22B at the end of 2024, about 7.2 months of spending.

Form 990 (2024), Part X

Does International Committee of the Red Cross 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. International Committee of the Red Cross Form 990, 2024 (IRS e-file)
  2. International Committee of the Red Cross Form 990 history (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
Cite this page

Amir Arani, “International Committee of the Red Cross: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/international-committee-of-the-red-cross/