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The 990 read · EIN 95-2160097 · CA · Fiscal year FY ending Jun 2025

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies: CEO salary, finances and where donations go

In its own words

“Basic research in the following: molecular biology & genetics, neuroscience, and plant biology.”

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
$908K Gerald Joyce Md Phd, 0.5% of spending
Revenue
$181.4M 85.8% from donations and grants
Spent
$176.9M 84% on programs, as reported
Net assets
$687.0M end of FY ending Jun 2025
Savings
46.6 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
People
1,092 employees, 26 volunteers
Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Parts I, VII, IX, X
01 · Red flags

1 thing to look at.

We screen every filing against twelve rules. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.

medium

Loans to or from officers, directors or key employees

Part IV line 26 answered yes.

Form 990 Part IV, line 26; Schedule L Part II
02 · Where $1 goes · FY ending Jun 2025

Of each dollar it spent, 84.0¢ went to programs, as reported.

The split the charity filed.
84.0¢
Programs, $148.6M
3.2¢
Fundraising, $5.7M
12.8¢
Admin, $22.6M
Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part IX, line 25
Cost to raise $1
4¢
as reported

For each dollar donated, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies spent 4¢ on fundraising.

Fundraising ÷ $155.7M contributions · Form 990 Parts VIII, IX
03 · The savings

Net assets: $310.5M to $687.0M in 11 years.

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

Net assets at year end, $ millions
311
379
377
348
385
403
457
503
670
615
632
687
Form 990 history via ProPublicaForm 990 (FY ending Jun 2025)
04 · Who gets paid

The 8 highest-paid people.

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

Gerald Joyce Md Phd
President / Professor
$907,583
Jan Karlseder Phd
Professor
$490,287
Fred Gage Phd
Professor
$453,121
Kim E Witmer
Treasurer/SVP Finance & Admn (outgoing Oct 2024)
$446,572
Julia a Miller Jd
Secretary/General Counsel
$430,675
Reuben Shaw Phd
Trustee/Professor (outgoing Mar 2025)
$411,517
Edward Callaway Phd
Professor
$383,288
Susan Kaech Phd
Professor
$356,518
Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part VII, Section A
Largest outside contractors
ContractorServicePaid
East End Advisors LLCInvestment advisor$2,785,048
University of California San DiegoTrng program/subcont$1,636,683
Rudolph & Sletten IncConstruction service$1,465,015
Ao Reed & CoConstruction service$852,627
Show Imaging IncEntertainment service$459,528
Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part VII, Section B
05 · Questions

The questions people ask about the The Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

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

How much does the The Salk Institute for Biological Studies CEO make?

Gerald Joyce Md Phd, President / Professor, received $907,583 in reportable compensation in FY ending Jun 2025, 0.5% of The Salk Institute for Biological Studies' $176.9M in spending.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part VII

What percentage of The Salk Institute for Biological Studies donations go to programs?

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies reported 84% of FY ending Jun 2025 spending as programs, 3.2% as fundraising and 12.8% as management.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part IX

How much money does The Salk Institute for Biological Studies have?

Net assets were $687.0M at the end of FY ending Jun 2025, about 46.6 months of spending.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025), Part X

Does The Salk Institute for Biological Studies have any red flags in its filing?

Its latest Form 990 triggered 1 of our twelve screening rules: loans to or from officers, directors or key employees. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.

Form 990 (FY ending Jun 2025)
06 · Sources and citing

Every number, traced.

  1. The Salk Institute for Biological Studies Form 990, FY ending Jun 2025 (IRS e-file)
  2. The Salk Institute for Biological Studies Form 990 history (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
Cite this page

Amir Arani, “The Salk Institute for Biological Studies: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/the-salk-institute-for-biological-studies/