American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Inc
The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation (ACLU Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10004. Founded in 1967, the organization is recognized as the nation's premier public interest law firm. The ACLU Foundation is the litigation and public education arm of the broader ACLU organization, conducting legal representation in cases involving civil liberties and constitutional rights while educating the public through publications, media, and community engagement.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$961.9M
+16.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$28.4M
+16.4% YoY
Grant Count
73
+17.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$389K
-1.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The ACLU Foundation's mission is to protect the civil liberties of all people in the United States and to realize the promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees. The organization works daily in courts and communities to defend and preserve the freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Primary program areas include:
Affiliate Support: The ACLU has an affiliate or chapter in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The national ACLU coordinates fundraising efforts with affiliates and shares proceeds in accordance with detailed policy. Through its Affiliate Support and Nationwide Initiatives Department (ASNI), the organization provides grants and support to affiliates on specific initiatives and projects of local/regional and national significance, offering training and technical assistance.
Education: The organization conducts public education through newsletters, its website, advertisements, op-ed articles, media interviews, publications, and social media.
Litigation: The Foundation provides legal representation in cases ranging from administrative hearings to trials and appeals involving civil liberties and constitutional rights issues.
Grantmaking
The ACLU Foundation distributes grants to support its affiliate network and specific initiatives. Based on recent financial data, the organization made total grants of $28,564,007. Typical grant awards range from $5,567 to $2,422,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The ACLU Foundation funds work across the United States, with particular activity in the District of Columbia, Virginia, California, Florida, and Texas. The organization maintains a nationwide presence through its affiliate network covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of the most recent fiscal year (2025):
- Total Assets: $961,853,261
- Total Revenues: $306,750,536
- Total Expenses: $245,542,362
- Total Giving: $28,564,007
- Number of Employees: 464
The organization maintains a 99% rating and holds a Four-Star charity designation, with its overall score calculated entirely from Accountability & Finance metrics.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $961,853,261 | $828,604,389 | $785,630,158 |
| Revenue | $306,750,536 | $185,146,988 | $201,181,635 |
| Expenses | $245,542,362 | $201,684,585 | $186,344,190 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $8,528,889 | $7,226,828 | $8,216,520 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Aclu Foundation of Texas ($2,422,000), Aclu Foundation of Florida ($2,322,500), Aclu Foundation of West Virginia ($1,733,800).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACLU FOUNDATION OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE, AK | AFFILIATE PROGRAM | $530,000 |
| ACLU FOUNDATION OF ALABAMA MONTGOMERY, AL | AFFILIATE PROGRAM | $560,500 |
| ACLU FOUNDATION OF ARKANSAS LITTLE ROCK, AR | AFFILIATE PROGRAM | $1,292,500 |
| ACLU FOUNDATION OF ARIZONA PHOENIX, AZ | AFFILIATE PROGRAM | $22,500 |
| ACLU FOUNDATION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO, CA | AFFILIATE PROGRAM | $125,000 |
| ACLU FOUNDATION OF COLORADO DENVER, CO | AFFILIATE PROGRAM | $100,000 |
| ACLU FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES, CA | AFFILIATE PROGRAM | $400,000 |
| ACLU FOUNDATION OF CONNECTICUT HARTFORD, CT | AFFILIATE PROGRAM | $55,000 |
| ACLU FDN OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WASHINGTON, DC | AFFILIATE PROGRAM | $147,500 |
| ACLU FOUNDATION OF DELAWARE WILMINGTON, DE | AFFILIATE PROGRAM | $75,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Anthony Romero serves as the Principal Officer of the organization.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHARU VERMA | DIRECTOR/VICE PRESIDENT | 3.5 | — |
| CONNIE TCHENG | DIRECTOR/TREASURER(AS OF 02/01/2025) | 3.5 | — |
| DAX GOLDSTEIN | DIRECTOR/SECRETARY | 3.5 | — |
| DEBORAH ARCHER | DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT | 3.5 | — |
| ROBERT REMAR | DIRECTOR/VP, TREASURER (THRU 02/01/2025) | 3.5 | — |
| RONALD TYLER | GENERAL COUNSEL (THRU 02/01/2025) | 3.5 | — |
| SHAAKIRRAH SANDERS | DIRECTOR/GENERAL COUNSEL | 3.5 | — |
| ANIL MUJUMDAR | DIRECTOR (THRU 02/02/2025) | 2.5 | — |
| CHERIE DAWSON EDWARDS | DIRECTOR (THRU 02/01/2025) | 3 | — |
| COLEMAN BAZELON | DIRECTOR (AS OF 10/05/2024) | 3 | — |
| DARLENE ENGLISH | DIRECTOR (AS OF 10/05/2024) | 3 | — |
| DONITA JUDGE | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| GABRIELLE UBALLEZ | DIRECTOR (AS OF 10/05/2024) | 3 | — |
| MICHELLE ESPINO | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| RUTH COLKER | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| YOMI YOUNG | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| AJ HIKES | DEP. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY & CULTURE | 14 | — |
| ANTHONY D ROMERO | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CEO | 14 | — |
| CHARIZMA T WILLIAMS | COO | 14 | — |
| TERENCE R DOUGHERTY | DEP. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/GENERAL COUNSEL | 14 | — |
| CECILLIA WANG | NATIONAL LEGAL DIRECTOR (AS OF 10/16/2024) | 34 | $398,925 |
| DAVID D COLE | NATIONAL LEGAL DIRECTOR (THRU 10/15/2024) | 34 | $494,121 |
| DEIRDRE SCHIFELING | CHIEF POLITICAL & ADVOCACY OFFICER | 14 | — |
| KARY MOSS | NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF AFFILIATES SUPPORT & NATIONWIDE INITIATIVES | 34 | $498,809 |
| KRISTON MCINTOSH | CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING OFFICER | 26 | $435,187 |
| LARISA MUELLER | CFO | 14 | — |
| MARK V WIER | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 34 | $520,123 |
| AMARDEEP SINGH | CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (THRU 11/30/2024) | 14 | — |
| ELIZABETH FITZGERALD | DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $353,947 |
| LOUISE MELLING | DEPUTY LEGAL DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR LIBERTY | 40 | $363,528 |
| MIRIAM CADER | DEPUTY LEGAL DIRECTOR | 40 | $329,085 |
| MOHAMMAD ZAIDI | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF NATIONWIDE LEADERSHIP AND PLANNED GIFTS | 40 | $286,006 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The ACLU Foundation has received significant grants from major funders, including a $400,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine. The organization continues to expand its endowment and funding capacity to support its litigation and public education efforts.
ACLU Foundation receives $400K grant from Community Foundation of GreaterSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Inc fund?
The ACLU Foundation's mission is to protect the civil liberties of all people in the United States and to realize the promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees. The organization works daily in courts and communities to defend and preserve the freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Primary program areas include: • **Affiliate Support**: The ACLU has an affiliate or chapter in every state, the District of Columbia, and P…
How do I apply for a grant from American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Inc?
The ACLU Foundation distributes grants to support its affiliate network and specific initiatives. Based on recent financial data, the organization made total grants of $28,564,007. Typical grant awards range from $5,567 to $2,422,000. The Foundation's grant-making focuses on education, human services, and health care, with particular emphasis on human rights and social justice grants.
Where does American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Inc make grants?
The ACLU Foundation funds work across the United States, with particular activity in the District of Columbia, Virginia, California, Florida, and Texas. The organization maintains a nationwide presence through its affiliate network covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
What size grants does American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Inc award?
In 2025, American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Inc awarded 73 grants totaling $28.4M — an average of about $389K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Inc's EIN?
American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6213516. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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