Joan Garry Nonprofit Leadership. There is no legal cap to the directorx paid to executives. See a poor person in the street, give prifit the money. They may buy a bottle, but at least they will see the money, with no strings attached. Today I want to explore something a bit more specific. Is it inappropriate for nonprofit leaders to be well paid? During my tenure, a leading publication conducted an annual survey of the salaries of executive directors in our particular sector. My colleagues and I dreaded the day this article hit the newsstand every year. Hit the top and you became a target. CEOs fight for the honor of making the biggest salary. Companies fall over diredtors to pay more money to attract the candidates they consider the best.