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Nonprofiteer
← ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM.

Totals

Total revenue
$119,839,751
Total expenses
$108,568,981
Contributions and grants received
$109,839,346
Grants paid
$11,927,970
Program service revenue
$3,207,124
Investment income
$3,903,311
Other revenue
$2,889,970
Total assets, end of year
$112,233,785
Total liabilities, end of year
$12,433,179
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$99,800,606
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$84,573,957
Management and general expenses
$10,764,691
Fundraising expenses
$13,230,333
Program service expenses (Part III)
$84,573,957

Program services were 77.9% 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

    $55,688

  • 1d · Related organizations

    $923,118

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $108,860,540

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $1,383,910

  • 2a · Program service revenue: MEMBERSHIP FEES

    total $3,207,124 · related or exempt $3,207,124

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $2,109,253 · excluded $2,109,253

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $513,014

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $460,449

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $52,565

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $52,565 · excluded $52,565

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $22,935,904 · other assets $2,765,532

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

    securities $20,934,114 · other assets $2,973,264

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $2,001,790 · other assets -$207,732

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $1,794,058 · excluded $1,794,058

  • 11a · Other revenue: COURT AWARDED FEES

    total $2,659,214 · related or exempt $2,659,214

  • 11b · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS INCOME

    total $146,155 · excluded $146,155

  • 11c · Other revenue: HONORARIUM INCOME

    total $32,036 · related or exempt $32,036

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $2,837,405

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $10,563,070 · program services $10,563,070

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $1,352,300 · program services $1,352,300

  • 3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals

    total $12,600 · program services $12,600

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $1,954,455 · program services $1,193,923 · management and general $362,115 · fundraising $398,417

  • 6 · Compensation of disqualified persons

    total $317,551 · program services $253,300 · management and general $26,384 · fundraising $37,867

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $42,263,549 · program services $33,112,630 · management and general $4,482,192 · fundraising $4,668,727

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $1,288,614 · program services $1,033,052 · management and general $131,078 · fundraising $124,484

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $6,137,732 · program services $4,480,083 · management and general $910,972 · fundraising $746,677

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $3,242,018 · program services $2,506,349 · management and general $359,612 · fundraising $376,057

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $547,945 · program services $371,705 · management and general $176,111 · fundraising $129

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $74,580 · management and general $74,580

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $57,505 · program services $57,505

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $1,677,500 · fundraising $1,677,500

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $147,896 · management and general $147,896

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $3,225,855 · program services $2,294,149 · management and general $443,928 · fundraising $487,778

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $7,169,526 · program services $5,085,162 · management and general $247,454 · fundraising $1,836,910

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $3,000,763 · program services $2,078,835 · management and general $290,360 · fundraising $631,568

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $4,262,510 · program services $2,952,560 · management and general $874,415 · fundraising $435,535

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $4,926,846 · program services $3,743,662 · management and general $714,152 · fundraising $469,032

  • 17 · Travel

    total $5,594,290 · program services $4,903,560 · management and general $182,871 · fundraising $507,859

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $5,203,516 · program services $4,694,805 · management and general $54,841 · fundraising $453,870

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $2,802,165 · program services $2,104,466 · management and general $408,869 · fundraising $288,830

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $748,021 · program services $476,478 · management and general $229,756 · fundraising $41,787

  • 24a · Other expenses: RESOURCE MATERIALS

    total $1,304,497 · program services $1,128,421 · management and general $137,208 · fundraising $38,868

  • 24b · Other expenses: FINANCIAL SERVICES

    total $486,881 · program services $4,028 · management and general $482,529 · fundraising $324

  • 24c · Other expenses: PROFESSIONAL DUES

    total $206,796 · program services $171,314 · management and general $27,368 · fundraising $8,114

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

    total $1,677,500 · program services $1,149,463 · management and general $26,337 · fundraising $501,700

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $23,845,125 · end of year $31,104,619

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $59,219 · end of year $0

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $1,107,267 · end of year $47,571

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $2,595,868 · end of year $5,538,563

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

    $63,219,611

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

    $25,310,131

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $34,198,872 · end of year $37,909,480

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $23,493,994 · end of year $34,586,592

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year -$162,940 · end of year -$192,079

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $17,631,646 · end of year $3,239,039

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $7,859,534 · end of year $8,674,263

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $1,404,062 · end of year $1,301,751

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $3,342,559 · end of year $2,457,165

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $86,878,456 · end of year $95,600,246

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $3,284,440 · end of year $4,200,360

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM EXISTS TO KEEP THE DOOR OPEN FOR THE GOSPEL BY ADVANCING EVERY PERSON'S GOD-GIVEN RIGHT TO LIVE AND SPEAK THE TRUTH. WE CONTEND FOR THE TRUTH IN LAW, POLICY, AND THE PUBLIC SQUARE, AND EQUIP THE ALLIANCE TO DO THE SAME.

Activities or mission (Part I)

ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM EXISTS TO KEEP THE DOOR OPEN FOR THE (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)GOSPEL BY ADVANCING EVERY PERSON'S GOD-GIVEN RIGHT TO LIVE AND SPEAK THE TRUTH. WE CONTEND FOR THE TRUTH IN LAW, POLICY, AND THE PUBLIC SQUARE, AND EQUIP THE ALLIANCE TO DO THE SAME.

  • LEGAL ADVOCACY: ADF IS A GLOBAL RELIGIOUS LEGAL ORGANIZATION THAT CONTENDS FOR TRUTH IN LAW, POLICY, AND THE PUBLIC SQUARE BY ENGAGING IN LITIGATION AND ADVOCACY ADVANCING FREE SPEECH, RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, PARENTAL RIGHTS, AND THE SANCTITY OF LIFE AND MARRIAGE. ADF OFFERS EXPERTISE IN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AND INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL LEGAL SYSTEMS. FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATORS HAVE SOUGHT ADF'S COUNSEL, INVITING ADF ATTORNEYS TO TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESS AND STATE LEGISLATURES. ADF'S IMPACT IS ALSO BEING FELT IN CORPORATE AMERICA, AS ADF ATTORNEYS PROMOTE AN ETHIC OF FREE SPEECH, RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, AND HUMAN DIGNITY IN THE CORPORATE SPHERE. ADF ALSO PROVIDES GRANTS TO SUPPORT OUR NETWORK ATTORNEYS WORKING ON MATTERS ALIGNED WITH ADF'S STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES.

    Expenses $41,333,531 · Grants $10,573,070 · Revenue $2,691,250

  • ALLIED SUPPORT AND TRAINING: ADF SEEKS TO CULTIVATE ALLIES ACROSS MULTIPLE PROFESSIONS WHO CONTEND FOR TRUTH IN LAW, POLICY, AND THE PUBLIC SQUARE. ADF PROVIDES TRAINING, EDUCATION, EVENTS, AMICUS CURIAE OPPORTUNITIES, AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE INITIATIVES SO THAT ADF'S MISSION CAN BE MULTIPLIED THROUGH A COMMITTED COMMUNITY.

    Expenses $26,096,273 · Grants $1,354,900 · Revenue $1,924,274

  • EDUCATION: AS A LEGAL ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION, ADF SEEKS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING THE FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS WITHIN ITS MISSION. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A VARIETY OF CHANNELS, INCLUDING PUBLIC SPEAKING; DIGITAL, ELECTRONIC, AND PRINT RESOURCES; SOCIAL MEDIA; EVENTS; AND A COMPREHENSIVE WEBSITE. KEY EXAMPLES INCLUDE A PARENTAL RIGHTS TOOLKIT TO HELP PARENTS KNOW THEIR RIGHTS AND A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE ENTITLED FAITH & JUSTICE. THESE AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES INCREASE AWARENESS ABOUT KEY CULTURAL AND LEGAL ISSUES OF THE DAY, WHILE SERVING TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL ADF ALLIES.

    Expenses $17,144,153 · Revenue $1,282,850

As filed on the 2024 return.

Listed in Part VII

  • Kristen Waggoner

    CEO, PRESIDENT & CHIEF COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $622,744
    From this org
    $584,869
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $37,875
    Hours/week
    60 + 3 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $584,059
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $810
    Deferred
    $7,900
    Nontaxable benefits
    $29,975
    Filer's total
    $622,744
  • John Rogers

    CHAIRMAN

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    7 + 1 related
  • Mark Maddoux

    SECRETARY/TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4 + 1 related
  • Michael Whitehead

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 1 related
  • Scott Scharpen

    DIRECTOR

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

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 1 related
  • Caleb Robinson

    DIRECTOR

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

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 1 related
  • Kerri Kupec Urbahn

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2 + 1 related
  • Rebecca Eggleston

    EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT - PART YEAR

    Total calculated
    $399,286
    From this org
    $363,537
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $35,749
    Hours/week
    50 + 2 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $332,720
    Bonus
    $30,307
    Other
    $510
    Deferred
    $12,897
    Nontaxable benefits
    $22,852
    Filer's total
    $399,286
  • Mark Tjernagel

    EVP OF OPERATIONS - PART YEAR

    Total calculated
    $47,839
    From this org
    $45,316
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $2,523
    Hours/week
    50 + 2 related
  • Jim Campbell

    CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $407,645
    From this org
    $370,542
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $37,103
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $339,875
    Bonus
    $30,307
    Other
    $360
    Deferred
    $6,277
    Nontaxable benefits
    $30,826
    Filer's total
    $407,645
  • Lance Bauslaugh

    SVP OF DEVELOPMENT

    Total calculated
    $331,348
    From this org
    $295,379
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $35,969
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $284,519
    Bonus
    $10,307
    Other
    $553
    Deferred
    $6,194
    Nontaxable benefits
    $29,775
    Filer's total
    $331,348
  • Ryan Bangert

    SVP OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

    Total calculated
    $333,850
    From this org
    $291,418
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $42,432
    Hours/week
    50 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $270,541
    Bonus
    $20,407
    Other
    $470
    Deferred
    $11,522
    Nontaxable benefits
    $30,910
    Filer's total
    $333,850
  • John Bursch

    VP OF APPELLATE ADVOCACY, SR COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $348,900
    From this org
    $312,710
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $36,190
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $305,653
    Bonus
    $6,307
    Other
    $750
    Deferred
    $12,475
    Nontaxable benefits
    $23,715
    Filer's total
    $348,900
  • Grant Dawson

    SVP OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

    Total calculated
    $334,194
    From this org
    $306,967
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $27,227
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $306,348
    Bonus
    $307
    Other
    $312
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $27,227
    Filer's total
    $334,194
  • Tim Chandler

    SR COUNSEL, VP OF CHURCH & MINISTRY ALLIANCE ENGA

    Total calculated
    $327,439
    From this org
    $284,954
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $42,485
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $274,170
    Bonus
    $10,307
    Other
    $477
    Deferred
    $11,650
    Nontaxable benefits
    $30,835
    Filer's total
    $327,439
  • Jeremy Tedesco

    SR COUNSEL, SVP CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT

    Total calculated
    $322,282
    From this org
    $280,202
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $42,080
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $249,205
    Bonus
    $30,307
    Other
    $690
    Deferred
    $11,465
    Nontaxable benefits
    $30,615
    Filer's total
    $322,282
  • Michael Farris

    FORMER PRESIDENT AND CEO

    Total calculated
    $525,000
    From this org
    $525,000
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    0

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $0
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $525,000
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $525,000

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)

PART I, LINE 1A
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. TRAVEL FOR COMPANIONS MAY BE PROVIDED WHEN THEIR TRAVEL AND/OR ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS, CONFERENCES, OR EVENTS IS PERMITTED UNDER THE ORGANIZATION'S POLICIES. ON CERTAIN OCCASIONS, ONE OR MORE FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE ACCOMPANIED AN OFFICER OR KEY EMPLOYEE ON A BUSINESS TRIP WITHOUT A BUSINESS PURPOSE TO THE ORGANIZATION. IN THOSE CASES, THE BENEFIT WAS INCLUDED IN TAXABLE COMPENSATION.
PART I, LINE 4A
MICHAEL FARRIS CHANGE OF CONTROL PAYMENT $525,000 IN CALENDAR YEAR 2024 (FARRIS RETIRED IN 2023).
PART I, LINE 7
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 -$146,128 · assets $9,125,450

    Directly controlled by ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM

Related corporations and trusts

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

  • 15100 SOLAR LLC

    C · OWN AND OPERATE SOLAR ENERGY PROJECT · AZ · 100% owned · share of income $98,213 · share of assets $949,447 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by 15100 LLC

  • ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM INTERNATIONAL BELGIUM

    C · HUMAN RIGHTS LEGAL WORK · BE

  • ADF INTERNATIONAL (UK) LIMITED

    C · HUMAN RIGHTS LEGAL WORK · UK

  • ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM INTERNATIONAL FRANCE

    C · HUMAN RIGHTS LEGAL WORK · FR

  • ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM INTERNATIONAL SWITZERLAND

    C · HUMAN RIGHTS LEGAL WORK · SZ

  • ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM INTERNATIONAL DEUTSCHLAND EV

    C · HUMAN RIGHTS LEGAL WORK · GM

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
7 April 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.5
Source object
202630989349300033

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