I’m surprised you fell for this Internet lie Luke. You should do a little research, get educated, and then probably edit it out of your post. Remember kids, don’t believe everything you read on the Internet.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/executive-salaries-charities/
Still would like even the "reduced" salary mentioned in the snopes article!
(and yes, I do understand you have to offer a high enough figure to get a worthwhile person in charge that will save far more money than the loss resulting from the chaos of a captainless ship.)
However being involved in multiple charities, I hate the extortion aspects of "you better pay your CEO this or more or you won't be able to get anybody and your organization is DOOMED!!!"
Anyways, ... on another note, you don't have to actually donate to thrift stores, just look up local community theaters and music organizations.
I help out with several and we are grateful for our older analog gear and could always use more now that it is getting aged and may die randomly. Even our local HS music dept would welcome older still-useful analog stuff.
-For things like large snakes they are great to actually install and leave in these types of community venues.
Because most of the stuff is depreciated, I don't plan on any benefit back other than helping advance local arts. However many are 501c3 so if there's any value left in it all you can still get your write-off.