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.
Ready to take the next step with American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Inc?
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
No grants recorded for .
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
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Launa Beuhler Foundation for
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$2K
Grants
4
Total Given
$20K
Uw E J Madden Mem Open Hearts Club 10-214880
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$307K
Hindy's Foundation
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$142K
Grants
8
Total Given
$225K
Jeanne & Thomas Hardy Family Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$3K
Grants
3
Total Given
$3K
Ramsleg Foundation
BRIGHTWATERS, NY
Assets
$543
Grants
1
Total Given
$500
Druckenmiller Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.8B
Grants
58
Total Given
$135.7M
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities