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American Center for Law and Justice Inc

EIN 54-1586817 · Virginia Bch, VA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ACLJ IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THE ONGOING VIABILITY OF FREEDOM AND LIBERTY IN THE UNITED STATES AND AROUND THE WORLD. BY FOCUSING ON U.S. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW, EUROPEAN UNION LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS LAW, THE ACLJ IS DEDICATED TO THE CONCEPT THAT FREEDOM AND LIBERTY ARE UNIVERSAL, GOD-GIVEN AND INALIENABLE RIGHTS THAT MUST BE PROTECTED. THE ACLJ AND ITS WORLDWIDE AFFILIATES ENGAGE IN LITIGATION, PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES, RENDER ADVICE TO INDIVIDUALS AND GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, AS WELL AS COUNSEL CLIENTS ON GLOBAL FREEDOM AND LIBERTY ISSUES. THE ACLJ AND ITS AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS ALSO SUPPORT TRAINING LAW STUDENTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD IN ORDER TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS LIBERTY AND SAFEGUARD HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIGNITY. AS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, THE ACLJ DOES NOT CHARGE FOR ITS SERVICES AND IS DEPENDENT UPON GOD AND THE RESOURCES HE PROVIDES THROUGH THE TIME, TALENT, AND GIFTS OF PEOPLE WHO SHARE OUR CONCERNS AND DESIRE TO PROTECT OUR RELIGIOUS AND CONSTITUTIONAL FREEDOMS.

Income
$32.4 million
Spending
$31.2 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
116
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$529,314, senior counsel for digital

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    2 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. 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 (1)
  1. $27.8 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION HAS PARTICIPATED IN NUMEROUS SUPREME COURT, CIRCUIT COURT, COURT OF APPEALS AND STATE SUPERIOR AND SUPREME COURT CASES REGARDING FREEDOM OF RELIGION, FREEDOM OF SPEECH, AND OTHER US CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES. RESEARCH STAFF AT THE CENTER PROVIDES UP TO DATE INFORMATION REGARDING VARIOUS CASES RELATED TO THE PROTECTION OF RELIGIOUS AND HUMAN RIGHTS. A COMPLETE LIST OF CASES IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. 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.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2026.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 1994.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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.