I'm applying for a job with a major non-profit that provides international educational opportunities for scholars and students. The position is program officer for one of their divisions. I have a relevant Master's degree from an ivy league university and have recently returned from my own overseas educational experience, 9 months in Panama on a Fulbright, plus 20 years of varied but relevant experience. They ask that applicants supply salary requirements in the cover letter. I'm having difficulty locating this position on the salary websites. I found only one site which listed the average salary for this exact position as about $53K. Does that sound accurate? Is it ever okay to just not answer that question and say you'd rather discuss it in person?
Thanks

It is okay to not answer, but even better to say something like "salary is only one component of a compensation package. I expect to be paid in line with my qualifications and the market."

You might also look the organization up on Guidestar. While it probably won't provide you with information down to the level of the job you are seeking, you will get a better idea of how they pay. (If their CEO is making $75,000 it is less likely that a program officer at the division level is making $53,000.)

Pandora

I totally agree with Pandora's suggestion, especially looking up the organization's most recent Form 990 on Guidestar.org. Part VII, Section A of Form 990 requires organizations to list all of the organization's current officers, directors, and key employees regardless of the compensation amount and it also requires organizations to list the organization's five current highest compensated employees other than officers and key employees. This information will give you some pictures about the ability and the willingness of the organization to pay for the position you're looking at. The market information will give you some guidance but the most relevant information is really what the organization is able and willing to pay. Good luck.

Good luck from me too!

Thanks so much for the advice! I looked up the salary info on Guidestar but wasn't able to get into the 990 w/o paying. So I tried the Foundation Center site. The most recent 990 was from 3 years ago but it still gave me a good idea of what they pay. 53k would be reasonable for them. Still, thinking about how there is more to a compensation package than salary and seeing on another site that it's permissible to say you'd rather leave the salary issue for a conversation, I just stated that I'd want to be paid in line with my experience/education and that was flexible. I actually have a acquaintance w/i the organization who I've approached and may help me get my application a bit more attention. So thanks a lot everyone!

Gail,

Congratulation on your finding of the information you needed.

Just for the benefit of others, there are two main types of membership with Guidestar.org, paid and unpaid membership. The free membership will allow members to get the Form 990 that organizations have filed with the IRS. Free membership just will not get the detailed report about the organizations. I've been subscribing to Guidestar.org as free membership since 2004 and I always can get any organization's Form 990 for free.

In addition to Guidestar.org, we can always ask to see the most recently filed Form 990 from the organization itself. The IRS rules require that non-profit organizations need to make available their Form 990 to the general public when asked. Some organizations will charge for the copies and the mailing and some organizations will insist that we inspect their filed Form 990 in their office at no charge.

Eventhough we would like to work as a volunteer, we still need a permanent job to get regular salary for living.Good luck to everyone .
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