Quick charity verification for American Civil Liberties Union (EIN: 135628799)
Verdict: American Civil Liberties Union appears trustworthy
90/100Mission Score
$6.4MRevenue
$29.2MAssets
1Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is unusual for an organization of this scale and may indicate compensation is reported elsewhere or through a related entity, warranting further investigation for full transparency.
Strengths
Strong and consistent revenue growth over the past decade, from $1,997,343 in 2014 to $4,965,830 in 2023.
Significant asset accumulation, growing from $3,048,880 in 2014 to $26,823,862 in 2023, indicating robust financial health and stability.
Low liabilities relative to assets, with liabilities of $1,321,583 against assets of $26,823,862 in 2023, suggesting sound financial management.
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which, if accurate, indicates highly efficient use of donor funds for executive leadership.
Spending Breakdown
How American Civil Liberties Union allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.
How to Interpret This Report
What Red Flags Mean
Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.
What Mission Score Measures
The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.
Using This Data for Donation Decisions
Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about American Civil Liberties Union
Is American Civil Liberties Union a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, American Civil Liberties Union (EIN: 135628799) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is American Civil Liberties Union a good charity to donate to?
American Civil Liberties Union has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $6.4M. Assets: $29.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for American Civil Liberties Union?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for American Civil Liberties Union is 135628799. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.
What is a Mission Score?
The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.
How does American Civil Liberties Union spend its money?
American Civil Liberties Union allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify American Civil Liberties Union's tax-exempt status?
You can verify American Civil Liberties Union's tax-exempt status using EIN 135628799 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.
AI Transparency Report
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) demonstrates strong financial health and a consistent commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its IRS 990 filings. Over the past decade, the organization has shown remarkable growth in both revenue and assets. For instance, revenue increased from $1,997,343 in 2014 to $4,965,830 in 2023, while assets grew from $3,048,880 to $26,823,862 in the same period. This growth indicates robust fundraising capabilities and effective asset management.
The ACLU consistently allocates a significant portion of its expenses to program services. In the 2023 fiscal year, with total expenses of $3,055,728, the organization maintained a healthy program spending ratio. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a volunteer-led executive structure or that executive compensation is covered by a related entity, which could be a positive indicator for donor confidence, though further clarification on this structure would enhance transparency. The organization's liabilities have remained relatively low compared to its assets, indicating sound financial management and low financial risk.
Overall, the ACLU appears to be a financially stable and efficient organization. Its consistent growth, strong asset base, and apparent dedication to program spending, coupled with minimal reported executive compensation, paint a picture of a well-managed nonprofit focused on its mission. The substantial increase in assets over time also provides a strong financial cushion for future operations and advocacy efforts.