If federal funding for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America dries up, the local chapter’s teen program would be in jeopardy, said its director.
A bill in the U.S. Senate that would provide $425 million to the national organization over the next five years may be at risk over questions regarding its CEO’s earnings.
Roxanne Spillet, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, received $988,591 in compensation in 2008, The Associated Press reported last week.
A group of Republican senators are requesting that that cost be justified before more federal dollars are given to the organization.
Bob Schilling, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula executive director, said the local organization needs the federal funding to keep its teen program intact.
The program, which provides mentoring and other services to about 45 teens, wasn’t reduced in this size this year because of $42,500 in federal money that was passed through the national organization, he said.
“If those dollars do not come in 2011, I will have to go out and find that $42,500 in order to keep the current programs that we are running for the teens,” said Schilling.
“If I don’t find those $42,500, then there will be a reduction in the types of programs that our community is [used] to seeing for our teens.”
The local club operates out of Port Angeles and Sequim.
Schilling said he couldn’t say if Spillet’s compensation is typical for similar nonprofit organizations, but added that bonuses and pensions are typical.
Spillet received a base salary of $360,774 and a bonus of $150,000 in 2008, with the rest of her compensation going to a retirement plan and other forms of compensation.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.