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Nonprofiteer
← ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION INC

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$29,363,509
Total expenses
$21,853,920
Contributions and grants received
$22,028,260
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$1,286,843
Other revenue
$6,048,406
Total assets, end of year
$58,374,562
Total liabilities, end of year
$1,276,711
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$57,097,851
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$15,181,472
Management and general expenses
$3,482,112
Fundraising expenses
$3,190,336
Program service expenses (Part III)
$15,181,472

Program services were 69.5% 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

    $30,478

  • 1b · Membership dues

    $3,997,684

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $9,630

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $17,990,468

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $2,895,872

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $1,286,843 · excluded $1,286,843

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $0

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $9,630

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $109,701

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$109,701 · excluded -$109,701

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $49,919

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $0

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $49,919 · related or exempt $49,919

  • 11a · Other revenue: CY Pres Awards

    total $6,051,913 · excluded $6,051,913

  • 11b · Other revenue: Other income

    total $56,275 · excluded $56,275

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $6,108,188

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $1,800,286 · program services $1,191,168 · management and general $493,066 · fundraising $116,052

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $12,121,393 · program services $8,686,905 · management and general $2,015,581 · fundraising $1,418,907

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $299,498 · program services $213,023 · management and general $33,651 · fundraising $52,824

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $1,742,033 · program services $1,256,167 · management and general $181,750 · fundraising $304,116

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $993,004 · program services $706,035 · management and general $109,625 · fundraising $177,344

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $63,379 · program services $53,777 · management and general $5,841 · fundraising $3,761

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $25,278 · management and general $25,278

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $66,000 · program services $56,001 · management and general $6,083 · fundraising $3,916

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $105,209 · management and general $105,209

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $2,353,737 · program services $1,691,706 · management and general $266,448 · fundraising $395,583

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $6,963 · program services $5,005 · management and general $788 · fundraising $1,170

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $257,683 · program services $177,988 · management and general $48,481 · fundraising $31,214

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $66,360 · program services $45,836 · management and general $12,486 · fundraising $8,038

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $266,290 · program services $183,933 · management and general $50,100 · fundraising $32,257

  • 17 · Travel

    total $157,430 · program services $150,390 · management and general $745 · fundraising $6,295

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $274,940 · program services $189,907 · management and general $51,728 · fundraising $33,305

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $159,847 · program services $131,107 · management and general $17,483 · fundraising $11,257

  • 24a · Other expenses: Membership expenses

    total $553,832 · program services $19,220 · fundraising $534,612

  • 24b · Other expenses: Planning & development

    total $291,813 · program services $198,342 · management and general $50,768 · fundraising $42,703

  • 24c · Other expenses: Litigation

    total $145,257 · program services $145,257

  • 24d · Other expenses: Event expenses

    total $56,944 · program services $45,378 · fundraising $11,566

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $46,744 · program services $34,327 · management and general $7,001 · fundraising $5,416

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $1,420,232 · end of year $1,176,617

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $2,921,086 · end of year $6,353,988

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $3,674,846 · end of year $120,098

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $7,556 · end of year $9,000

  • 7 · Other notes and loans receivable

    beginning of year $194,325 · end of year $199,117

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $158,292 · end of year $183,752

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $82,751 · end of year $158,731

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

    $12,641,996

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

    $2,900,803

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $9,998,534 · end of year $9,741,193

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $28,195,002 · end of year $40,389,131

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $55,024 · end of year $42,935

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $787,624 · end of year $1,218,433

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $10,355 · end of year $15,343

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $55,024 · end of year $42,935

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $37,242,462 · end of year $51,141,544

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $8,612,183 · end of year $5,956,307

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

See Schedule O

Activities or mission (Part I)

See Schedule OElectronic Frontier Foundation, Inc. ("EFF") was formed for the purpose of understanding and fostering the opportunities of digital communication in a free and open society.

  • Educated the public regarding new forms of technology, fostered discussion as well as public policy analysis regarding the legal and social issues raised by technology, and conducted litigation in the public interest to preserve human and civil rights.

    Expenses $15,181,472

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

Listed in Part VII

  • Pamela Samuelson

    Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Brian Behlendorf

    Vice-Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Erica Astrella

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Anil Dash

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Sarah Deutsch

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • David Farber

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Brewster Kahle

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Tadayoshi Kohno

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Bruce Schneier

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Gigi Sohn

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Shari Steele

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • James Vasile

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Jonathan Zittrain

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Cindy Cohn

    Executive Director

    Total calculated
    $355,588
    From this org
    $332,139
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,449
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $319,250
    Bonus
    $10,000
    Other
    $2,889
    Deferred
    $5,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $18,449
    Filer's total
    $355,588
  • Kelly Esguerra

    Treasurer/CFO

    Total calculated
    $244,749
    From this org
    $207,407
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $37,342
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $205,562
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $1,845
    Deferred
    $4,250
    Nontaxable benefits
    $33,092
    Filer's total
    $244,749
  • Jennifer Lynch

    Secretary & Gen. Counsel

    Total calculated
    $226,102
    From this org
    $202,118
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,984
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $197,296
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $4,822
    Deferred
    $5,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $18,984
    Filer's total
    $226,102
  • Corynne McSherry

    Legal Director

    Total calculated
    $235,944
    From this org
    $228,749
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $7,195
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $225,005
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $3,744
    Deferred
    $5,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $2,195
    Filer's total
    $235,944
  • Rebecca Jeschke

    Chief Operating Officer

    Total calculated
    $240,863
    From this org
    $217,175
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,688
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $215,273
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $1,902
    Deferred
    $2,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $21,688
    Filer's total
    $240,863
  • Nathan Sheard

    Managing Director, Advocacy

    Total calculated
    $205,991
    From this org
    $187,167
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $18,824
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $185,967
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $1,200
    Deferred
    $2,237
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,587
    Filer's total
    $205,991
  • Genevieve Gebhart

    Managing Director, Technology

    Total calculated
    $198,280
    From this org
    $179,941
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $18,339
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $177,367
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $2,574
    Deferred
    $4,250
    Nontaxable benefits
    $14,089
    Filer's total
    $198,280
  • David Greene

    Civil Liberties Director

    Total calculated
    $245,845
    From this org
    $205,258
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $40,587
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $199,309
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $5,949
    Deferred
    $5,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $35,587
    Filer's total
    $245,845
  • Lee Tien

    Legislative Director

    Total calculated
    $236,786
    From this org
    $192,485
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $44,301
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $190,226
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $2,259
    Deferred
    $4,979
    Nontaxable benefits
    $39,322
    Filer's total
    $236,786
  • Adam Schwartz

    Assistant Director - Legal

    Total calculated
    $208,004
    From this org
    $184,649
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,355
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $180,917
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $3,732
    Deferred
    $5,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $18,355
    Filer's total
    $208,004
  • Horace Walker

    Chief People Officer

    Total calculated
    $203,764
    From this org
    $173,681
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $30,083
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $163,796
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $9,885
    Deferred
    $4,890
    Nontaxable benefits
    $25,193
    Filer's total
    $203,764
  • Andrew Crocker

    Surveillance Litigation Director

    Total calculated
    $182,035
    From this org
    $164,708
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $17,327
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $162,250
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $2,458
    Deferred
    $4,250
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,077
    Filer's total
    $182,035

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 committee
  • 3 · Written employment contract
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

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
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

Part I, Line 7
Under the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors approved a bonus payment of $10,000 for the Executive Director.

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.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
8 May 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202531289349304513

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