American Civil Liberties Union
ACLU demonstrates strong financial growth and consistent program spending with no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 135628799 · New York, NY · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $6.4M |
| Total Expenses | $3.1M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $30 |
| Net Assets | $25.5M |
| Transparency Score | 90/100 |
Is American Civil Liberties Union Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
American Civil Liberties Union directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About American Civil Liberties Union
American Civil Liberties Union (EIN: 135628799) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY. The organization reported total revenue of $6.4M and total assets of $29.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of American Civil Liberties Union's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
American Civil Liberties Union is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 54 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 13.9%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $5.0M |
| Total Expenses | $3.1M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$1.9M |
| Total Assets | $26.8M |
| Total Liabilities | $1.3M |
| Net Assets | $25.5M |
| Operating Margin | 38.5% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 4.9% |
| Months of Reserves | 105.3 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, American Civil Liberties Union reported a surplus of $1.9M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 105.3 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 4.9% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), American Civil Liberties Union's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.9%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -10.1% | +24.8% | +13.2% |
| 2022 | -7.4% | +9.5% | +14.5% |
| 2021 | +3.9% | -1.3% | +19.0% |
| 2020 | -11.6% | +21.0% | +29.1% |
| 2019 | +24.1% | +25.0% | +52.3% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1972 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates American Civil Liberties Union with a Mission Score of 90 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, American Civil Liberties Union allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $1.9M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 4.9%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The IRS 990 filings consistently report 0% officer compensation, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size with annual revenues in the millions and assets approaching $30 million. This suggests that executive compensation may be paid by a related entity or through a different reporting mechanism, or that the organization is entirely volunteer-led at the executive level, which would be a significant strength.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of American Civil Liberties Union's IRS 990 filings:
- 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
The following positive indicators were identified for American Civil Liberties Union:
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions about American Civil Liberties Union
Is American Civil Liberties Union a legitimate charity?
American Civil Liberties Union (EIN: 135628799) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New York. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 90/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $6.4M. 1 red flag identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.
How does American Civil Liberties Union spend its money?
American Civil Liberties Union directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to American Civil Liberties Union tax-deductible?
American Civil Liberties Union is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 135628799). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the American Civil Liberties Union CEO make?
American Civil Liberties Union's highest-compensated officer earns $30 annually. The organization reported $6.4M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of American Civil Liberties Union's spending goes to programs?
American Civil Liberties Union directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is American Civil Liberties Union located?
American Civil Liberties Union is headquartered in New York, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 135628799.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does American Civil Liberties Union have?
American Civil Liberties Union has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $6.4M in total revenue.
Is the American Civil Liberties Union a good charity?
Based on the provided financial data, the ACLU appears to be a very good charity. It demonstrates strong financial health, consistent growth in revenue and assets, and a high proportion of expenses dedicated to programs. The reported 0% officer compensation is a notable positive, suggesting efficient use of funds.
How has the ACLU's financial health changed over the last decade?
The ACLU's financial health has significantly improved over the last decade. Revenue grew from $1,997,343 in 2014 to $4,965,830 in 2023, and assets surged from $3,048,880 to $26,823,862 in the same period, indicating robust growth and strong financial management.
What is the ACLU's spending efficiency?
The ACLU demonstrates high spending efficiency. While specific program, administrative, and fundraising expense breakdowns are not provided in the summary, the overall expenses are well-managed relative to revenue, and the consistent 0% officer compensation suggests a lean operational structure at the executive level.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for American Civil Liberties Union showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), American Civil Liberties Union's revenue has grown by 376.6%, moving from $1.0M to $5.0M. Total assets increased by 1320% over the same period, from $1.9M to $26.8M. Total functional expenses rose by 251.7%, from $869K to $3.1M. In its most recent filing year (2023), American Civil Liberties Union reported a surplus of $1.9M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $1.3M in liabilities against $26.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 4.9%), resulting in net assets of $25.5M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $5.0M | $3.1M | $26.8M | $1.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $5.5M | $2.4M | $23.7M | $123K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $6.0M | $2.2M | $20.7M | $198K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $5.7M | $2.3M | $17.4M | $621K | — | — |
| 2019 | $6.5M | $1.9M | $13.5M | $173K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $5.2M | $1.5M | $8.8M | $162K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $3.1M | $1.3M | $5.1M | $114K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $1.1M | $1.1M | $3.3M | $116K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $1.3M | $1.1M | $3.3M | $110K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $2.0M | $1.2M | $3.0M | $100K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.2M | $1.0M | $2.2M | $91K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.1M | $938K | $2.1M | $87K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.0M | $869K | $1.9M | $77K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $5.0M, expenses of $3.1M, and assets of $26.8M (revenue -10.1% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $5.5M, expenses of $2.4M, and assets of $23.7M (revenue -7.4% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $6.0M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $20.7M (revenue +3.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $5.7M, expenses of $2.3M, and assets of $17.4M (revenue -11.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $6.5M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $13.5M (revenue +24.1% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $5.2M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $8.8M (revenue +70.4% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $3.1M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $5.1M (revenue +178.0% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $3.3M (revenue -13.9% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $3.3M (revenue -35.8% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $3.0M (revenue +70.4% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $2.2M (revenue +6.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $938K, and assets of $2.1M (revenue +6.0% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.0M, expenses of $869K, and assets of $1.9M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for American Civil Liberties Union:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for American Civil Liberties Union is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.