American Civil Liberties Union
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
AT THE ACLU OF SOUTH CAROLINA, WE ADVOCATE, LITIGATE, EDUCATE, AND MOBILIZE TO DEFEND AND ADVANCE THE CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES OF ALL SOUTH CAROLINIANS.
- Income
- $546,968
- Spending
- $319,603
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 5,500
- Highest pay
- $143,984, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $166,097 spent. LOBBYING: OUR LOBBYISTS ENGAGE DIRECTLY WITH POLICYMAKERS AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS IN PURSUIT OF POLICIES THAT ADVANCE AND DEFEND CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES.IN 2024, OUR LOBBYING SUCCESSFULLY STOPPED STATE LEGISLATORS FROM PASSING A BILL TO BAN DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.
- $62,548 spent. ELECTORAL: WE EDUCATE VOTERS ABOUT THE CANDIDATES VYING FOR THEIR VOTES.IN 2024, WE SURVEYED CANDIDATES FOR CHARLESTON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD AND CONTACTED VOTERS VIA DIGITAL ADS AND TEXT MESSAGES TO ENSURE THEY KNEW THE CANDIDATES' POSITIONS ON IMPORTANT CIVIL RIGHTS IN EDUCATION ISSUES.
- $57,355 spent. ALL OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.
Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 1970.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.