California domestic violence shelter boss lives in Hawaii where she drives BMW paid for by her employer
Carol Adelkoff, who has led the Los Angeles-area 1736 Family Crisis Center since 1984, has lived in Hawaii for at least 11 years while continuing to receive a salary and benefits from the nonprofit. The arrangement has drawn scrutiny because the centre has no shelters or clients in Hawaii and receives most of its funding from taxpayers, although the article says there is no accusation of wrongdoing.
Adelkoff received $1.6 million in salary, vacation pay and other compensation in 2023 and 2024. The centre’s $15 million budget is about 94 per cent taxpayer-funded, and it reportedly paid for her BMW and a Santa Monica apartment costing about $7,200 a month with associated services. The nonprofit’s lawyer said the car was part of Adelkoff’s compensation package and that she continues to oversee operations, raise funds and develop programmes from Hawaii; the apartment was approved as a business travel expense.
- California nonprofit chief has lived in Hawaii for at least 11 years.
- She received $1.6 million in compensation over 2023 and 2024.
- The centre’s lawyer says she continues to carry out important agency work.
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The 1736 Family Crisis Center is a Los Angeles-area nonprofit that provides support to people affected by domestic violence and family crises. Carol Adelkoff has led the organisation since 1984, and the centre is mainly funded with public money.
Nonprofit leaders may receive salaries and work-related benefits, but organisations that use taxpayer funds are subject to public scrutiny over how that money is spent. The centre says Adelkoff oversees its work, raises funds and develops programmes while living in Hawaii; it has no shelters or clients there.
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The case for
The arrangement may be justified if Adelkoff can effectively lead the centre remotely and her compensation reflects the responsibilities and results of a long-serving chief executive. The BMW and Santa Monica apartment could be legitimate parts of an agreed compensation package and business travel costs, subject to the nonprofit’s governance and reporting rules.
The case against
Because the centre relies heavily on public funding, donors and taxpayers can reasonably expect close scrutiny of unusually high compensation and employer-funded benefits. Living far from its Los Angeles-area clients may raise questions about oversight and value for money, even if she continues to manage the organisation and no wrongdoing is alleged.