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The 990 read · EIN 13-6213516 · NY · Fiscal year FY ending Mar 2025

American Civil Liberties Union Foundation

American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Inc: CEO salary, finances and where donations go

In its own words

“Preservation and promotion of civil rights and civil liberties.”

Data only Figures straight from the filing, screened by our rules. Not yet reviewed in depth by a CPA.

Methodology by Amir Arani, CPA, CA · Updated

Top pay
$760K Anthony D Romero, 0.3% of spending
Revenue
$306.8M 93.9% from donations and grants
Spent
$245.5M 83.5% on programs, as reported
Net assets
$779.7M end of FY ending Mar 2025
Savings
38.1 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
People
464 employees, 13 volunteers
Form 990 (FY ending Mar 2025), Parts I, VII, IX, X
01 · Red flags

No red flags in its latest filing.

We screen every filing against twelve rules. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.

No reported asset diversions, no insider transactions, no fundraisers keeping most of the money, and the governance policies we check for are in place.

02 · Where $1 goes · FY ending Mar 2025

Of each dollar it spent, 83.5¢ went to programs, as reported.

The split the charity filed.
83.5¢
Programs, $205.1M
8.5¢
Fundraising, $20.8M
8.0¢
Admin, $19.6M
Form 990 (FY ending Mar 2025), Part IX, line 25
Cost to raise $1
7¢
as reported

For each dollar donated, American Civil Liberties Union Foundation spent 7¢ on fundraising.

Fundraising ÷ $287.9M contributions · Form 990 Parts VIII, IX
03 · What it does

What it told the IRS it spent on.

The charity's own description of its largest programs, with what each cost.

Program 1 · 35% of program spending · $2.8M in grants $71.7M

Legal - the aclu foundation's litigation program is the cornerstone of its civil liberties program. The aclu today is the nation's preeminent civil liberties organization, with a staff of attorneys in the national office working in collaboration with attorneys at affiliate offices nationwide to address cases involving a wide range of civil liberties issues. The aclu appears before the U.S. Supreme court more than any other legal services organization or governmental agency except the U.S. Department of justice.

Program 2 · 8.4% of program spending · $251K in grants $17.2M

Education - through newsletters, its website, advertisements, op-ed articles, media interviews, publications, social media, and numerous meetings and workshops conducted in collaboration with its affiliates throughout the us, the aclu foundation provides ongoing education to the aclu's approximately 1,400,000 supporters nationwide and to the public at large with respect to a wide range of civil liberties issues and concerns. A core component of the organization's educational campaigns is the emphasis on key rights, including first amendment rights to free speech, association and assembly; the…

Program 3 · 5.5% of program spending · $4.8M in grants $11.3M

Other program services: legislative advocacy - the aclu seeks to impact civil liberties through work on legislation at the federal and state level, as appropriate. The organization's legislative advocates are a constant presence on federal and state civil liberties legislative issues. Updates on key legislative issues impacting civil liberties are included in mail, email, and other communications to aclu members nationwide, as well as in public education campaigns. In addition, the aclu develops policy relating to positions on civil liberties issues. Expenses $9,381,047. Including grants of…

Form 990 (FY ending Mar 2025), Part III
04 · The savings

Net assets: $248.6M to $779.7M in 11 years.

Net assets at each fiscal year end, 2014 to 2025.

Net assets at year end, $ millions
249
242
246
297
343
372
390
587
659
640
680
780
Form 990 history via ProPublicaForm 990 (FY ending Mar 2025)
05 · Who gets paid

The 8 highest-paid people.

Reportable pay in FY ending Mar 2025, from the charity and related organizations.

Anthony D Romero
Executive Director/CEO
$759,792
Aj Hikes
Dep. Executive Director of Strategy & Culture
$569,934
Terence R Dougherty
Dep. Executive Director/General Counsel
$569,229
Mark V Wier
Chief Development Officer
$520,123
Kary Moss
National Director of Affiliates Support & Nationwide Initiatives
$498,809
David D Cole
National Legal Director (thru 10/15/2024)
$494,121
Charizma T Williams
COO
$492,394
Deirdre Schifeling
Chief Political & Advocacy Officer
$466,658
Form 990 (FY ending Mar 2025), Part VII, Section A
Largest outside contractors
ContractorServicePaid
Production Solutions IncPrinting & publishing$1,556,352
Msp CommunicationsPrinting & production$737,073
New York Interior Concepts IncRenovation & repairs$677,686
Mosaic Strategies GroupConsulting$523,622
Fenton Communications IncCommunication services$442,021
Form 990 (FY ending Mar 2025), Part VII, Section B
06 · Questions

The questions people ask about the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation.

Short, sourced answers. Each one stands on its own.

How much does the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation CEO make?

Anthony D Romero, Executive Director/CEO, received $759,792 in reportable compensation in FY ending Mar 2025, 0.3% of American Civil Liberties Union Foundation's $245.5M in spending.

Form 990 (FY ending Mar 2025), Part VII

What percentage of American Civil Liberties Union Foundation donations go to programs?

American Civil Liberties Union Foundation reported 83.5% of FY ending Mar 2025 spending as programs, 8.5% as fundraising and 8% as management.

Form 990 (FY ending Mar 2025), Part IX

How much money does American Civil Liberties Union Foundation have?

Net assets were $779.7M at the end of FY ending Mar 2025, about 38.1 months of spending.

Form 990 (FY ending Mar 2025), Part X

Does American Civil Liberties Union Foundation have any red flags in its filing?

Its latest Form 990 triggered none of our twelve screening rules, which cover reported asset diversions, insider transactions, fundraiser costs, governance policies and spending patterns.

Form 990 (FY ending Mar 2025)
07 · Sources and citing

Every number, traced.

  1. American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Form 990, FY ending Mar 2025 (IRS e-file)
  2. American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Form 990 history (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
Cite this page

Amir Arani, “American Civil Liberties Union Foundation: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/american-civil-liberties-union-foundation/