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← ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM

Form 990 for tax year 2022

Filed by ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM.

Totals

Total revenue
$101,821,939
Total expenses
$97,103,483
Contributions and grants received
$95,442,827
Grants paid
$5,776,021
Program service revenue
$2,996,320
Investment income
-$275,965
Other revenue
$3,658,757
Total assets, end of year
$97,603,306
Total liabilities, end of year
$15,102,477
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$82,500,829
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$77,014,354
Management and general expenses
$8,921,298
Fundraising expenses
$11,167,831
Program service expenses (Part III)
$77,014,354

Program services were 79.3% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1a · Federated campaigns

    $44,695

  • 1d · Related organizations

    $563,073

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $94,835,059

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $1,302,491

  • 2a · Program service revenue: Membership Fees

    total $2,996,320 · related or exempt $2,996,320

  • 2f · All other program service revenue

    total $0 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $949,171 · excluded $949,171

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $681,729

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $469,777

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $211,952 · personal property $0

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $211,952 · excluded $211,952

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $10,592,009 · other assets $3,376

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $11,820,521 · other assets $0

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities -$1,228,512 · other assets $3,376

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$1,225,136 · excluded -$1,225,136

  • 11a · Other revenue: Court Awarded Fees

    total $3,277,563 · related or exempt $3,277,563

  • 11b · Other revenue: Honorarium Income

    total $160,407 · related or exempt $160,407

  • 11d · All other revenue

    total $8,835 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $8,835

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $3,446,805

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $867,485 · program services $867,485

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $1,338,700 · program services $1,338,700

  • 3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals

    total $3,569,836 · program services $3,569,836

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $3,204,261 · program services $1,793,831 · management and general $882,537 · fundraising $527,893

  • 6 · Compensation of disqualified persons

    total $910,597 · program services $882,987 · management and general $21,920 · fundraising $5,690

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $37,198,162 · program services $29,306,830 · management and general $3,609,423 · fundraising $4,281,909

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $1,095,161 · program services $877,638 · management and general $104,384 · fundraising $113,139

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $5,879,581 · program services $4,520,179 · management and general $612,290 · fundraising $747,112

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $3,224,518 · program services $2,466,507 · management and general $398,199 · fundraising $359,812

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $450,270 · program services $408,120 · management and general $39,754 · fundraising $2,396

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $101,651 · program services $16,504 · management and general $84,053 · fundraising $1,094

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $6,076 · program services $6,076

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $1,014,267 · fundraising $1,014,267

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $141,897 · management and general $141,897

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $2,004,900 · program services $1,600,239 · management and general $153,058 · fundraising $251,603

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $8,951,261 · program services $7,004,354 · management and general $367,581 · fundraising $1,579,326

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $2,651,200 · program services $1,937,231 · management and general $269,328 · fundraising $444,641

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $3,315,242 · program services $2,485,790 · management and general $525,548 · fundraising $303,904

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $4,256,034 · program services $3,288,496 · management and general $510,593 · fundraising $456,945

  • 17 · Travel

    total $6,001,556 · program services $5,420,470 · management and general $189,091 · fundraising $391,995

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $5,958,948 · program services $5,516,754 · management and general $86,910 · fundraising $355,284

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $2,119,293 · program services $1,572,441 · management and general $269,274 · fundraising $277,578

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $435,812 · program services $278,818 · management and general $133,840 · fundraising $23,154

  • 24a · Other expenses: Resource Materials

    total $1,757,386 · program services $1,686,563 · management and general $51,910 · fundraising $18,913

  • 24b · Other expenses: Financial Services

    total $446,443 · program services $1,252 · management and general $444,891 · fundraising $300

  • 24c · Other expenses: Professional Dues

    total $202,946 · program services $167,253 · management and general $24,817 · fundraising $10,876

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $0 · program services $0 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0

  • 26 · Joint costs (an allocation of the lines above)

    total $5,545,437 · program services $4,202,348 · management and general $387,846 · fundraising $955,243

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $15,107,896 · end of year $18,546,590

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $3,710,359 · end of year $1,128,986

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $2,729,789 · end of year $2,071,562

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $6,460

  • 5 · Loans and receivables from officers and key people

    end of year $0

  • 6 · Loans and receivables from disqualified persons

    end of year $0

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $2,331,488 · end of year $2,390,297

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $56,760,610

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $22,882,216

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $33,218,284 · end of year $33,878,394

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $8,600,503 · end of year $12,048,497

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year -$138,762 · end of year -$147,225

  • 13 · Investments: program-related

    beginning of year $0

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $19,519,755 · end of year $27,686,205

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $8,073,812 · end of year $8,313,773

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $1,204,380 · end of year $1,366,419

  • 22 · Loans and payables to officers and key people

    end of year $0

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $809,256 · end of year $5,422,285

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $70,692,845 · end of year $73,764,264

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $4,305,479 · end of year $8,736,565

Mission and programs · 2022

Mission

ADF EXISTS TO ADVANCE EVERY PERSON'S GOD-GIVEN RIGHT TO LIVE AND SPEAK THE TRUTH AND KEEP THE DOOR OPEN FOR THE GOSPEL. ADF IS COMMITTED TO PROMOTING AND PROTECTING FREE SPEECH, RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, PARENTAL RIGHTS, AND THE SANCTITY OF LIFE AND MARRIAGE.

Activities or mission (Part I)

ADF EXISTS TO ADVANCE EVERY PERSON'S GOD-GIVEN RIGHT TO LIVE AND SPEAK THE TRUTH.

  • LEGAL ADVOCACY: ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM (ADF) IS A LEGAL ORGANIZATION ENGAGED IN PRO-BONO LITIGATION AND ADVOCACY PROMOTING AND PROTECTING FREE SPEECH, RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, PARENTAL RIGHTS, AND THE SANCTITY OF LIFE AND MARRIAGE. ADF OFFERS EXCEPTIONAL LEGAL ADVOCACY AND EXPERTISE. IT HAS 97 STAFF ATTORNEY POSITIONS BASED AROUND THE WORLD, TOGETHER WITH A NETWORK OF NEARLY 5,000 ATTORNEYS. ADF HAS A NEARLY 80% SUCCESS RATE IN OUR LEGAL MATTERS. ADF HAS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN 74 UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT VICTORIES AND HAS DIRECTLY ACHIEVED 15 SUPREME COURT VICTORIES SINCE 2011. ADF ATTORNEYS ARE ACTIVE IN ADVOCATING IN STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS, INCLUDING THE U.S. SUPREME COURT, AS WELL AS INTERNATIONAL COURTS AND GOVERNING BODIES SUCH AS THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE UNITED NATIONS.

    Expenses $32,156,470 · Grants $3,127,312 · Revenue $3,437,969

  • ALLIED SUPPORT AND TRAINING: ADF SEEKS TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH ATTORNEYS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDIVIDUALS COMMITTED TO ADVANCING THE GOD-GIVEN RIGHT TO LIVE AND SPEAK THE TRUTH. ADF WORKS TO EQUIP THESE ALLIES IN THEIR AREAS OF EXPERTISE, INFLUENCE, AND INTEREST THROUGH TRAINING, EDUCATION, EVENTS, AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE INITIATIVES IN ORDER THAT ADF'S MISSION CAN BE MULTIPLIED THROUGH A COMMITTED COMMUNITY. THROUGH ADF'S TRAINING EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD, LAW STUDENTS, ATTORNEYS, LEGAL ADVOCATES, CLERGY, AND POLICY, CIVIC, AND COMMUNICATIONS LEADERS PARTICIPATE IN WORLD-CLASS TRAINING, STRATEGY, AND NETWORKING SESSIONS.

    Expenses $24,232,747 · Grants $1,342,600 · Revenue $1,707,902

  • AS A LEGAL ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO PROMOTING AND PROTECTING FREE SPEECH, RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, PARENTAL RIGHTS, AND THE SANCTITY OF LIFE AND MARRIAGE, ADF SEEKS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND CREATE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING THE FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS WITHIN ITS MISSION. ADF ACCOMPLISHES ITS EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES THROUGH A VARIETY OF CHANNELS, INCLUDING PUBLIC SPEAKING; DIGITAL, ELECTRONIC, AND PRINT RESOURCES; AND EVENTS. ADF ENGAGES IN PUBLIC EDUCATION TO INFORM AND RAISE AWARENESS ON THE FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS WITHIN ITS MISSION. ADF PUBLIC EDUCATION EFFORTS INFORM CONSTITUENCIES ABOUT THESE IMPORTANT ISSUES AND SERVE TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL ALLIES WHO WILL BECOME INVOLVED IN ADF'S GLOBAL EFFORTS.

    Expenses $18,155,327 · Revenue $1,288,419

  • GRANTS AND FUNDING: ADF PROVIDES GRANTS FOR LEGAL CASES AND PROJECTS THAT ADVANCE THE GOD-GIVEN RIGHT TO LIVE AND SPEAK THE TRUTH. ADF GRANTS ARE FOCUSED ON ALLIES WORKING ON MATTERS ALIGNED WITH STRATEGIC LEGAL OBJECTIVES DEFINED BY ADF'S U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY TEAMS.

    Expenses $2,469,810 · Grants $1,306,109

As filed on the 2022 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • John Rogers

    Vice Chairman (as of 06/2023)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 1 related
  • Mark Maddoux

    Secretary/Treasurer

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5 + 1 related
  • Terry Schlossberg

    Chairman

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8 + 1 related
  • Gary Smith

    Director (Part Year)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 1 related
  • Lisa Fullerton

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 1 related
  • Michael Whitehead

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 1 related
  • Ruth Ross

    Director (Part Year)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Scott Scharpen

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 1 related
  • Seth Morgan

    Vice Chairman (Part Year)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 1 related
  • Kristen Waggoner

    CEO, President, & General Counsel

    Total calculated
    $509,754
    From this org
    $470,522
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $39,232
    Hours/week
    60 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $434,569
    Bonus
    $35,000
    Other
    $953
    Deferred
    $12,200
    Nontaxable benefits
    $27,032
    Filer's total
    $509,754
  • Michael Farris (Part Year)

    President through 09/2022, Counselor to President through 12/2022

    Total calculated
    $880,781
    From this org
    $848,848
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $31,933
    Hours/week
    60 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $549,797
    Bonus
    $110,000
    Other
    $189,051
    Deferred
    $12,200
    Nontaxable benefits
    $19,733
    Filer's total
    $880,781
  • Rebecca Eggleston

    Executive Vice President (Chief of Staff through 08/2022)

    Total calculated
    $321,882
    From this org
    $289,999
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $31,883
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $277,887
    Bonus
    $11,500
    Other
    $612
    Deferred
    $11,877
    Nontaxable benefits
    $20,006
    Filer's total
    $321,882
  • Tony Johnson (Part Year)

    SVP of Operations & Direct Response through 09/2022

    Total calculated
    $383,299
    From this org
    $351,409
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $31,890
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $242,103
    Bonus
    $35,000
    Other
    $74,306
    Deferred
    $12,200
    Nontaxable benefits
    $19,690
    Filer's total
    $383,299
  • Lance Bauslaugh

    SVP of Development

    Total calculated
    $343,445
    From this org
    $304,413
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $39,032
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $269,026
    Bonus
    $35,000
    Other
    $387
    Deferred
    $12,200
    Nontaxable benefits
    $26,832
    Filer's total
    $343,445
  • Tim Chandler

    Sr. Counsel, VP of CMA Engagement

    Total calculated
    $346,220
    From this org
    $307,087
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $39,133
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $291,729
    Bonus
    $15,000
    Other
    $358
    Deferred
    $12,200
    Nontaxable benefits
    $26,933
    Filer's total
    $346,220
  • David Cortman

    Sr. Counsel, VP of U.S. Litigation

    Total calculated
    $277,193
    From this org
    $239,490
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $37,703
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $229,409
    Bonus
    $9,000
    Other
    $1,081
    Deferred
    $9,871
    Nontaxable benefits
    $27,832
    Filer's total
    $277,193
  • Jeremy Tedesco

    Sr. Counsel, SVP of Corporate Engagement

    Total calculated
    $280,421
    From this org
    $245,753
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $34,668
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $240,287
    Bonus
    $5,000
    Other
    $466
    Deferred
    $9,995
    Nontaxable benefits
    $24,673
    Filer's total
    $280,421
  • John Bursch

    VP of Appellate Advocacy, Sr. Counsel

    Total calculated
    $341,348
    From this org
    $308,375
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,973
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $290,650
    Bonus
    $17,000
    Other
    $725
    Deferred
    $12,200
    Nontaxable benefits
    $20,773
    Filer's total
    $341,348
  • Ryan Bangert

    SVP Strategic Initiatives & Special Counsel to the President

    Total calculated
    $293,659
    From this org
    $256,214
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $37,445
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $234,809
    Bonus
    $21,000
    Other
    $405
    Deferred
    $10,495
    Nontaxable benefits
    $26,950
    Filer's total
    $293,659
  • Wayne Swindler

    Executive Director, ADF Foundation

    Total calculated
    $333,602
    From this org
    $300,629
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,973

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $282,498
    Bonus
    $15,000
    Other
    $3,131
    Deferred
    $12,200
    Nontaxable benefits
    $20,773
    Filer's total
    $333,602
  • Glen Lavy

    Corporate Counsel through 03/2023

    Total calculated
    $241,777
    From this org
    $213,495
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $28,282
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $210,008
    Bonus
    $1,000
    Other
    $2,487
    Deferred
    $8,549
    Nontaxable benefits
    $19,733
    Filer's total
    $241,777
  • Jeffrey Ventrella

    Sr. Counsel, SVP of Training

    Total calculated
    $269,659
    From this org
    $239,055
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $30,604
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $234,920
    Bonus
    $2,500
    Other
    $1,635
    Deferred
    $9,831
    Nontaxable benefits
    $20,773
    Filer's total
    $269,659

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 1a · First-class or charter travel
  • 1a · Travel for companions
  • 1b · Written policy on the line-1a expenses
  • 2 · Substantiation required before reimbursing expenses
  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

Answered no

  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

Schedule J, Part I, Line 1a First-class or charter travel
Upgraded travel, including first-class or business-class, may be provided to employees for air travel of extended length, frequent travel, and/or when the availability of reservations is limited to an upgraded class (which is rare and infrequent). Typically, such travel is at no additional expense due to airline frequent flyer programs which allow upgraded travel at no cost due to airline travel status. All employer-paid travel is for the convenience and business purpose of the organization, and is not treated as taxable income to the employee. The organization is also sensitive to maintaining the health, longevity, and well-being of employees who are required to travel frequently to fulfill the responsibilities and duties of their positions.
Schedule J, Part I, Line 1a Travel for companions
Travel for companions is provided when the companion's attendance at meetings, conferences, and events has a bona fide business purpose to the organization. This is not treated as taxable compensation. These expenses are not limited to officers, key employees, and highly compensated individuals, but are available to all employees in the situations described.
Schedule J, Part I, Line 4a Severance or change-of-control payment
Michael Farris received a change of control payment in the amount of $175,000 in calendar year 2022 when his title changed from CEO to Counselor to the CEO & President. Tony Johnson received a severance payment in the amount of $74,043.20 in calendar year 2022.
Schedule J, Part I, Line 7 Non-fixed payments
Discretionary bonuses were awarded to employees as part of an organization-wide merit performance award program.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

  • ADF Foundation

    501(c)(3) · Public benefit corporation · AZ · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by Alliance Defending Freedom

  • ADF Action

    501(c)(4) · Advocacy · VA · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by Alliance Defending Freedom

  • Alliance Defending Freedom International

    501(c)(3) · Public benefit corporation · VA · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by Alliance Defending Freedom

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Disregarded entities

Part I: entities that legally are the filer and file no return of their own.

  • 15100 LLC

    Own real property · AZ · income $91,684 · assets $10,258,208

    Directly controlled by Alliance Defending Freedom

  • ADF International Austria gemeinnuetzige GmbH

    Human rights legal work · AU · income $343,155 · assets $1,433,250

    Directly controlled by Alliance Defending Freedom

Related corporations and trusts

Part IV: related organizations taxable as a corporation or trust.

  • 15100 Solar LLC

    C Corporation · Own and operate solar energy project · AZ · 100% owned · share of income $106,200 · share of assets $1,393,067 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by 15100 LLC

  • ADF International Belgium

    C Corporation · Human rights legal work · BE · 100% owned · share of income $0 · share of assets $189,799 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by Alliance Defending Freedom

  • ADF International UK

    C Corporation · Human rights legal work · UK · 100% owned · share of income $254,477 · share of assets $457,581 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by Alliance Defending Freedom

  • ADF International France

    C Corporation · Human rights legal work · FR · 100% owned · share of income $3,736 · share of assets $135,313 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by Alliance Defending Freedom

  • ADF International Switzerland

    C Corporation · Human rights legal work · SZ · 100% owned · share of income $88,886 · share of assets $226,758 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by Alliance Defending Freedom

  • ADF International Deutschland eV

    C Corporation · Human rights legal work · GM · 100% owned · share of income $435,848 · share of assets $0 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by Alliance Defending Freedom

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2022
Filed
10 May 2024
IRS schema version
2022v5.0
Source object
202431319349302748

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