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American Civil Liberties Union of West V

EIN 55-0681531 · Charleston, WV

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceGood74 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF WEST VIRGINIA (ACLU-WV) IS A NON-PARTISAN, NON-PROFIT MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO FULFILL THE PROMISE OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS FOR ALL WEST VIRGINIANS AND EXPAND THE REACH OF ITS GUARANTEES TO NEW AREAS. THESE RIGHTS INCLUDE: YOUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS - FREEDOM OF SPEECH, ASSOCIATION AND ASSEMBLY; FREEDOM OF THE PRESS, AND FREEDOM OF RELIGION. YOUR RIGHT TO EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW - PROTECTION AGAINST UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION. YOUR RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS - FAIR TREATMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT WHENEVER THE LOSS OF YOUR LIBERTY OR PROPERTY IS AT STAKE. YOUR RIGHT TO PRIVACY - FREEDOM FROM UNWARRANTED GOVERNMENT INTRUSION INTO YOUR PERSONAL AND PRIVATE AFFAIRS. THE ACLU ALSO WORKS TO EXTEND RIGHTS TO SEGMENTS OF OUR POPULATION THAT HAVE TRADITIONALLY BEEN DENIED THEIR RIGHTS, INCLUDING PEOPLE OF COLOR; WOMEN; LGBTQ; PRISONERS; AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
8.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
26
Volunteers
200

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.9 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 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 2025, 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. $1.3 million spent. THE APPALACHIAN QUEER YOUTH SUMMIT; LEGAL CASES LIKE THE WHEELING WATER CASE; A PUBLIC OUTREACH PROGRAM THAT PROVIDED MULTIPLE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, 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 2025.

    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 April 1996.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: American Civil Liberties Union Inc (New York, NY), EIN 13-3871360. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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