Al Sharpton pockets nearly $1 million in bonuses from his own nonprofit

In the United States, Rev. Al Sharpton has been the founder and CEO of the National Action Network (NAN) since its establishment in 1991. As part of his financial practices, he has awarded himself significant bonuses over the years. A thorough review of NAN's tax records indicates that Sharpton began documenting bonus and incentive compensation since 2014. His bonuses increased dramatically over the years, with notable amounts such as $64,400 in 2014, $437,555 in 2016, and a total of $940,054 collected from his nonprofit by 2021. Apart from his role at NAN, Sharpton serves as a host on MSNBC, where his financial decisions as a nonprofit leader have drawn scrutiny, especially following large donations made to NAN by political campaigns during the 2020 election season. The financial practices of Al Sharpton and his organization are under closer examination due to recent revelations that Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign had made substantial donations to NAN just before an interview. In September and October of 2020, NAN received two donations of $250,000, totaling $500,000. Critics assert that Sharpton should have disclosed these financial ties while interviewing Harris and prior to discussing her campaign on air. The situation raises ethical concerns regarding the influence of monetary donations on journalistic objectivity, especially in the realm of political coverage.  Despite facing controversy and scrutiny over these bonuses and financing ties, Sharpton has maintained his television presence at MSNBC. The network stated it was unaware of the payments made to NAN and has not publicly acted against Sharpton’s continued role within its programs. This ongoing situation indicates a complex relationship between media figures and nonprofit organizations, as well as the ethical challenges that arise when funders and influencers intersect during politically charged times. Sharpton’s practice of self-funded bonuses may also speak to larger issues within the nonprofit sector, particularly surrounding compensation practices and transparency. In conclusion, the situation with Al Sharpton illustrates the potential conflicts of interest and ethical concerns that can arise when individuals are both media figures and nonprofit leaders. As scrutiny of his financial practices continues, it raises larger questions about accountability and integrity in both journalism and nonprofit organizations.