Concerns Over Salary Disparities at the Obama Foundation

It seems the Obama Foundation is grappling with issues of income inequality. While high-ranking officials, particularly political allies of former President Obama, are raking in six-figure salaries, lower-paid workers are reportedly striving for union representation.

An exclusive report reveals a significant salary for CEO Valerie Jarrett, which is noted at $771,000, alongside several others earning in the neighborhood of half a million annually. In total, nearly 200 employees are reported to draw six-figure incomes.

As the report highlights, this disparity in pay becomes particularly striking considering the news about the Obama Presidential Center’s costs ballooning to $1 billion—three times the initial projections for the facility in Chicago. According to their 2025 tax filings, about half of the 342 employees at the Obama Foundation earn over $100,000.

Jarrett, who has been a close advisor to Obama and served in the White House, has headed the organization since 2021, guiding the development of the Presidential Center located on the South Side of Chicago.

She is notably one of the non-profit’s highest earners, associated with previous administrations or campaigns.

Reported top salaries from the 2025 tax filing include:

• Christina Tchen, former chief of staff to Michelle Obama — $431,000.
• Michael Strautmanis, a past aide in Obama’s campaign and White House — $404,000.
• Laura Lucas Magnuson, former communications official in the White House — $396,000.
• Robbin Cohen, past real estate executive linked to Governor JB Pritzker’s family — $666,000.
• Ammar Rizki, former chief financial officer of Cook County — $400,000.

Emily Bittner, the Obama Foundation’s vice president of communications, stated that the salaries are competitive within the market. Currently, the foundation boasts over 500 employees globally, with around 300 of those based at the Center.

On the other hand, Brian Mittendorf, an accounting professor specializing in nonprofit finances, noted that the portion of employees earning over $100,000 is notably high compared to typical non-profits. He commented that this organization is likely more expertise-driven, likening it more to a think tank as opposed to a local charity.

Even with this perspective, the Obama Foundation stands out among other presidential nonprofits from leaders like Jimmy Carter to George W. Bush, whose tax filings indicate that about 25 percent or less of their staff earn six-figure salaries, with George W. Bush’s center being an exception at 37 percent.

Furthermore, when comparing CEO salaries, Jarrett’s compensation closely aligns with that of the Reagan Foundation, sitting at $735,000, but is considerably higher than the typical half-million salaries seen at other presidential foundations.

Meanwhile, there are reports of lower-level employees seeking to unionize, citing concerns regarding reduced benefits and increased workloads, which they argue have negatively impacted working conditions and driven experienced personnel to leave.

In a public letter, workers voiced their frustrations about the rising demands combined with reduced support from leadership.

Additionally, some Republican figures have voiced their opinions on the salary situation. Bob Grogan, chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, has previously criticized the foundation for its use of public land for private purposes and has reiterated his concerns regarding the recent salary disclosures.

He described the Obama Center as a political entity cloaked as a nonprofit, suggesting it utilizes taxpayer money to enrich Obama’s close associates.

The Obama Foundation asserts that its costs related to construction and operations are covered by revenue and private donations. However, they acknowledge that infrastructure enhancements surrounding the center were funded by taxpayer dollars.