American Civil Liberties Union
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA (ACLU NC UNION) DEFENDS AND ADVANCES THE PRINCIPLES OF FREEDOM, EQUALITY AND JUSTICE CONTAINED IN THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION. ACLU NC UNION, A CALIFORNIA MUTUAL BENEFIT CORPORATION DESCRIBED IN SECTION 501(C)(4), CONDUCTS LEGISLATIVE, COMMUNITY ACTION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN ORDER TO PROTECT AND DEFEND CIVIL LIBERTIES AND CIVIL RIGHTS.
- Income
- $9.6 million
- Spending
- $6.1 million
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 185
- Highest pay
- $413,453, legal-policy dir.
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 (1)
- $5.3 million spent. COMMUNITY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT - THROUGH TRAININGS, CAMPAIGNS, VOTER EDUCATION AND PUBLIC EDUCATION, ACLU NC UNION SUPPORTS CALIFORNIANS TO DEFEND AND ADVANCE CIVIL LIBERTIES. ACLU NC UNION ALSO SUPPORTS A NETWORK OF CHAPTERS THAT ARE ACTIVE THROUGHOUT NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. ACLU NC UNION OPERATES FROM ITS OFFICES IN SAN FRANCISCO AS WELL AS IN FRESNO AND SACRAMENTO THAT SERVE THE CALIFORNIA CENTRAL VALLEY. ISSUE PRIORITIES INCLUDE: 1) CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, INCLUDING POLICING, 2) DEMOCRACY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, INCLUDING VOTING RIGHTS, 3) GENDER, SEXUALITY AND REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE, 4) IMMIGRANTS RIGHTS, 5) RACIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE, INCLUDING HOUSING, EDUCATION EQUITY AND INDIGENOUS JUSTICE, AND 6) TECHNOLOGY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES. IN ADDITION, ACLU NC UNION MADE GRANTS TO ACLU CALIFORNIA ACTION FOR STATE POLICY WORK.ACLU NC Union completed a strategic planning process to define priorities for the period from 2025-2029.
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 April 1972.
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.