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New York Civil Liberties Union Foundation

EIN 90-0808294 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO DEFEND AND PROMOTE CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES.

Income
$23.3 million
Spending
$15.8 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
14.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
108
Volunteers
650
Highest pay
$378,521, executive director

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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 49% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 75% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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

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

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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, 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 (6)
  1. $5.0 million spent. LEGAL - UNDERTAKES LITIGATION, LEGAL ANALYSIS AND PUBLIC EDUCATION TO PROMOTE CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES.
  2. $1.6 million spent. FIELD - LEADS PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS TO DEFEND AND PROMOTE CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES.
  3. $2.0 million spent. EDUCATION POLICY CENTER - LEGAL AND POLICY ANALYSIS AND ADVOCACY AROUND CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES ISSUES RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS. ITS PROGRAM INCLUDES A YOUTH ADVOCACY AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
  4. Program Service Expenses 1,627,932, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 - POLICY - ENGAGES IN POLICY ANALYSIS, LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS, PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY AROUND CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES ISSUES AND PRIORITIES CONSISTENT WITH THE ORGANIZATION STRATEGIC PLAN.
  5. Program Service Expenses 611,053, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 - COMMUNICATION - EDUCATES THE PUBLIC ON NYCLUS PRIORITY ISSUES AND ENGAGES IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES TO EDUCATE PEOPLE AND ENCOURAGE GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES.
  6. Program Service Expenses 738,798, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 - RACIAL JUSTICE CENTER - CULMINATION OF A DECADES-LONG COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING CIVIL RIGHTS AND ACHIEVING RACIAL JUSTICE IN NEW YORK WORKS TO UPLIFT BLACK, BROWN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR TO REALIZE THE FULL ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES AS GUARANTEED BY THE NEW YORK STATE CONSTITUTION.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2012.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.