Obama Foundation Pay Shock: Who’s Cashing In
New tax filings are out. They show a lot of money changing hands at the Obama Foundation. And it’s the kind of money that makes people look twice.
Valerie Jarrett is listed as the foundation’s CEO. She was paid $740,000 in 2024. That’s the number in the filings. It’s more than the U.S. President earns in a year.
Here’s a line reported by Fox News:
Valerie Jarrett earned $740K as Obama insiders filled top roles during $850M presidential center build
The filings lay out the rest. Salaries and benefits rose from $18.5 million in 2018 to $43.7 million in 2024. Staff grew to 337 employees. Annual revenue hit nearly $210 million. The project itself is billed as an $850 million presidential center on 19.3 acres of Chicago parkland.
A lot of the top payroll slots went to people who worked in the Obama White House or on his campaign. The foundation got big fast. Its payroll got big, too.
Critics were quick to pounce. Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi told Fox News exactly what she thought.
“Illinois Democrats are truly living their best lives — making hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to help design the ugliest building in Chicago,” Illinois GOP Chairman Kathy Salvi told Fox News. “Their jaw-dropping salaries prove that Illinois’ culture of corruption is alive and well as Barack Obama’s top allies rake in the cash.”
There’s another angle here. Despite the heavy spending, the foundation says it wants volunteers for the new center. ABC News in Chicago covered that piece.
Foundation looking for Obama Presidential Center volunteers
Jarrett spoke to a local group about volunteer roles and how the center will engage the public. She used one memorable phrase about the volunteer program.
“A big part of how we are going to interface with the public is through volunteers so we announced today that we are going to be recruiting 75 to 100 volunteer that will be our ambassadors,” Jarrett said.
So the picture is clear. Big paychecks for top insiders. A pricey, years‑long construction project. And a call for ordinary people to donate their time once it opens.
That contrast is what’s driving the heat. Voters and watchdogs will keep asking whether this is public service or a private payday dressed up as a civic project. Expect more questions. And expect more headlines.