American Civil Liberties Union
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
TO PROTECT AND EXPAND INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES THROUGH LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY & LOBBYING EFFORTS AT BOTH THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS.
- Income
- $724,162
- Spending
- $729,421
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 53
- Highest pay
- $229,336, executive director (until
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)
- $280,403 spent. THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT'S ROLE WITHIN ACLU-TN IS TO INTEGRATE OUR MISSION WITH COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE, COLLABORATING WITH PARTNERS AND INDIVIDUALS TO BUILD A MOVEMENT AND MOBILIZE IN SUPPORT OF BOLD, IMPACTFUL CIVIL LIBERTIES AND CIVIL RIGHTS CHANGES IN OUR STATE. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ADVOCACY AT ACLU-TN CENTERS THE EXPERIENCES AND LEADERSHIP OF DIRECTLY IMPACTED PEOPLE WHILE ENSURING THAT NON-IMPACTED ALLIES PARTICIPATE IN EFFECTIVE AND SUBSTANTIVE ACTION.
- $243,225 spent. THE POLICY PROGRAM MONITORS AND ATTEMPTS TO INFLUENCE A WIDE RANGE OF LEGISLATION AFFECTING CIVIL LIBERTIES AND CIVIL RIGHTS AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS. IN ADDITION, WE ARE CONSULTED BY LEGISLATORS AND THEIR STAFF MEMBERS ON CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES AND PRESENT EXPERT TESTIMONY. WE ALSO WORK IN COALITION WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WHO SHARE SIMILAR GOALS, AND TOGETHER, WE WORK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST LEGISLATIVE AND OTHER POLICY INITIATIVES.
- $166,990 spent. THE ACLU - TN LEGAL PROGRAM AIMS TO PROTECT AND ADVANCE CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE. WE MEET THIS GOAL BY PROVIDING GUIDANCE, ENGAGING IN ADVOCACY, AND (AS A LAST RESORT) LITIGATION. WE PROVIDE LEGAL REPRESENTATION, FREE OF CHARGE, FOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS WHOSE CIVIL LIBERTIES HAVE BEEN THREATENED OR DENIED. WE ALSO SUBMIT FRIEND-OF-THE-COURT BRIEFS IN APPROPRIATE CASES. THROUGH SUCH LITIGATION, OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN INDIVIDUAL CASES AND ESTABLISH LEGAL PRECEDENTS THAT WILL BE OF ENDURING VALUE IN TENNESSEE AND ACROSS THE NATION.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 7, 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 September 7, 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 October 7, 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.