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Nonprofiteer
← AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION.

Totals

Total revenue
$255,920
Total expenses
$219,754
Contributions and grants received
$241,329
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$14,591
Other revenue
$0
Total assets, end of year
$909,981
Total liabilities, end of year
$70,579
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$839,402
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$162,873
Management and general expenses
$55,881
Fundraising expenses
$1,000
Program service expenses (Part III)
$162,873

Program services were 74.1% 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.

  • 1b · Membership dues

    $4,176

  • 1d · Related organizations

    $237,153

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $14,591 · excluded $14,591

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $84,226 · program services $64,070 · management and general $20,156

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $66,889 · program services $47,670 · management and general $19,219

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $3,479 · program services $2,516 · management and general $963

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $6,538 · program services $6,322 · management and general $216

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $9,877 · program services $7,305 · management and general $2,572

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $8,120 · management and general $8,120

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $4,200 · program services $4,200

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $10,640 · program services $10,125 · management and general $515

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $4,150 · program services $3,689 · management and general $461

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $4,817 · program services $4,561 · management and general $256

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $8,799 · program services $6,580 · management and general $2,219

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $403 · program services $304 · management and general $99

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $1,342 · program services $1,004 · management and general $338

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $792 · program services $592 · management and general $200

  • 24a · Other expenses: MISC. EXPENSES

    total $3,182 · program services $2,905 · management and general $277

  • 24b · Other expenses: EVENTS

    total $1,285 · program services $271 · management and general $14 · fundraising $1,000

  • 24c · Other expenses: STATE BOARD EXPENSES

    total $1,015 · program services $759 · management and general $256

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $44,011 · end of year $15,351

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $246,450 · end of year $249,779

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $214,528 · end of year $67,490

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $738 · end of year $14,806

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

    $5,420

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

    $5,341

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $331 · end of year $79

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $281,364 · end of year $562,476

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $62,686 · end of year $70,579

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $722,934 · end of year $838,600

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $1,802 · end of year $802

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

THE UNION WORKS TO ADVOCATE AND ADVANCE A PUBLIC POLICY AGENDA TO SUPPORT AND PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IOWA. IT WORKS TO MAINTAIN THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES THE RIGHTS OF FREE SPEECH, FREE PRESS, FREE ASSEMBLAGE AND OTHER CIVIL RIGHTS AND TO TAKE ALL LEGITIMATE ACTION IN FURTHERANCE OF SUCH PURPOSES AND ENCOURAGE, THROUGH A PROGRAM OF EDUCATION, A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES BY ALL IOWA RESIDENTS.

Activities or mission (Part I)

TO SUPPORT AND PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IOWA.

  • LEGISLATIVE & POLICY PROGRAM SERVICES: (1) INCREASED OUR FULL-TIME PRESENCE AT THE IOWA STATE LEGISLATURE, DRAFTING LEGISLATION, PROVIDING ADVICE ON AND ADVOCATING FOR PRO-CIVIL LIBERTIES LEGISLATION, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON FIXING RACIAL DISPARITIES IN HOUSING LAW, DEFENDING DUE PROCESS FOR PEOPLE SUBJECT TO ABUSIVE STATE AGENCIES. (2) CONTINUED OUR ONE-ON-ONE OUTREACH TO NEWLY ELECTED LEGISLATORS AND LEGISLATORS WHOM WE HAD NOT WORKED WITH, TO STRONG RESULTS IN OUR CORE ISSUE AREAS. (3) ADVOCATED FOR THE FIRST AMENDMENT BY SUPPORTING AN ANTI-SLAPP (STRATEGIC LAWSUIT AGAINST PUBLIC PARTICIPATION) BILL. (4) SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED AGAINST TWO NEW DISCRIMINATORY PROPOSALS THAT WOULD HAVE HURT TRANSGENDER PEOPLE. (5) WERE FORMALLY INVITED BY THE LEGISLATIVE MAJORITY TO SERVE AS OPPOSITION TO REPEAL OF LGBT RIGHTS IN THE IOWA CIVIL RIGHTS ACT (SUCCEEDED). (6) ADVOCATED FOR CHANGE IN LAW TO EXPAND IOWA'S OPEN RECORDS LAW. (7) ADVOCATED FOR RACIAL JUSTICE REFORM THROUGH CONTINUING TO MANAGE THE BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO EXPUNGE UNPROVED EVICTION ALLEGATIONS, AND ALLOW FOR SOME COMPLETED EVICTIONS TO BE EXPUNGED, AN ISSUE WITH A SIGNIFICANTLY DISPARATE IMPACT ON AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN AND SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. BILL WILL COME BACK IN 2025 WITH MORE SUPPORT AFTER HAVING PASSED THE IOWA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THREE TIMES. (8) CONTINUED THE MULTI-YEAR PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION INCLUDING THE BRAND NEW CAPITOL CORPS PROGRAM TO HELP CONSTITUENTS MEET THEIR LEGISLATORS. (9) ADVOCATED AGAINST ABORTION RESTRICTIONS THROUGH MESSAGES TO LEGISLATORS; TWO MAJOR ANTI-REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM BILLS WERE INTRODUCED AND WE WERE PART OF THE TEAM THAT STOPPED THEM.

    Expenses $105,243

  • PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM SERVICES: PROVIDED EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY CONTENT REGARDING CIVIL LIBERTIES AND CIVIL RIGHTS VIA AFFILIATE WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS INCLUDING FACEBOOK, TWITTER/X AND INSTAGRAM.

    Expenses $57,630

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Austen Rita Bettis

    LEGAL DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $143,528
    From this org
    $0
    From related orgs
    $135,076
    Other
    $8,452
    Hours/week
    0 + 40 related
  • Stringer Mark

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $159,775
    From this org
    $17,093
    From related orgs
    $114,392
    Other
    $28,290
    Hours/week
    5.2 + 34.8 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $17,093 + $114,392 related
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $992 + $6,638 related
    Nontaxable benefits
    $2,686 + $17,974 related
    Filer's total
    $20,771 + $139,004 related
  • McRoberts Peter

    POLICY DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $127,886
    From this org
    $47,780
    From related orgs
    $63,337
    Other
    $16,769
    Hours/week
    17.2 + 22.8 related
  • Conroy Sarah

    DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $106,893
    From this org
    $0
    From related orgs
    $100,401
    Other
    $6,492
    Hours/week
    0 + 40 related
  • Giller Andy

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Mannetter Heidi

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Garst Jennifer

    TREASURER (LEFT SEP 2023)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Knock Janet

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Vong Reiff Leng

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Eboh Collins

    EQUITY OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Lantz Marilyn

    AT-LARGE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Munsterman Stefanie

    PAST PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Davidson Katie

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Delagardelle Kyrstin

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Lain Erin

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Rayford Ike

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Reyes Sonia

    DIRECTOR (LEFT NOV 2023)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Rivera Kevin

    DIRECTOR (LEFT MAY 2023)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Salowitz Neil

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Schmidt Todd

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Walker David

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Wiggins Wallas

    DIRECTOR (LEFT JUN 2023)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Wilson Jonathan

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Peterson Caitlin

    TREASURER (LEFT MAR 2023)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Balde Umaru

    DIRECTOR (LEFT MAR 2023)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Calzada Ramon

    DIRECTOR (LEFT JAN 2023)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Marcu Ruxandra

    DIRECTOR (LEFT MAR 2023)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Salowitz Debra

    DIRECTOR (LEFT MAR 2023)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related

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

  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 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
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 3
THE ACLU OF IOWA BOARD OF DIRECTOR'S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DETERMINES SALARY CHANGES FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DURING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S ANNUAL EVALUATION. IT HAS BEEN THE PRACTICE TO HAVE COMPARABLE SALARY DATA FROM OTHER ACLU AFFILIATES PRESENTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AS PART OF THE ANNUAL EVALUATION PROCESS. THIS PROCESS IS REVIEWED BY INDEPENDENT PERSONS, WITH DECISIONS DOCUMENTED IN PERSONNEL FILE.

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

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

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.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
6 February 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202510419349301601

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