Mercy Ships International
Mercy Ships International: CEO salary, finances and where donations go
“Operates hospital ships staffed by volunteer medical and non-medical crew to bring free surgeries and medical training to developing countries.”
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
- $350K Don Stephens, 0.2% of spending
- Revenue
- $250.4M 99.1% from donations and grants
- Spent
- $191.4M 78.2% on programs, as reported
- Net assets
- $430.0M end of 2025
- Savings
- 27.0 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
- People
- 605 employees, 2,175 volunteers
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.
Of each dollar it spent, 78.2¢ went to programs, as reported.
For each dollar donated, Mercy Ships International spent 10¢ on fundraising.
Fundraising ÷ $248.2M contributions · Form 990 Parts VIII, IXNet assets: $19.5M to $430.0M in 11 years.
Net assets at each fiscal year end, 2013 to 2025.
The 8 highest-paid people.
Reportable pay in 2025, from the charity and related organizations.
| Contractor | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Full Hearts | Mail solicitations | $25,028,474 |
| U S Postal Service | Mail provider | $3,452,812 |
| Navantia Sa Sme | Shipping agent | $2,434,929 |
| Africa Global Logistics Madagascar | Shipping agent | $2,149,863 |
| Northern Marine Manning Services | Contracted mariners | $1,734,452 |
The questions people ask about the Mercy Ships International.
Short, sourced answers. Each one stands on its own.
How much does the Mercy Ships International CEO make?
Don Stephens, Founder, received $350,000 in reportable compensation in 2025, 0.2% of Mercy Ships International's $191.4M in spending.
Form 990 (2025), Part VIIWhat percentage of Mercy Ships International donations go to programs?
Mercy Ships International reported 78.2% of 2025 spending as programs, 13.6% as fundraising and 8.2% as management.
Form 990 (2025), Part IXHow much money does Mercy Ships International have?
Net assets were $430.0M at the end of 2025, about 27.0 months of spending.
Form 990 (2025), Part XDoes Mercy Ships International 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 (2025)Every number, traced.
- Mercy Ships International Form 990, 2025 (IRS e-file)
- Mercy Ships International Form 990 history (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
Amir Arani, “Mercy Ships International: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/mercy-ships-international/