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Non-profit

ACLU Foundation of Iowa

Parent Organization: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Foundation
Website:

www.aclu-ia.org
Location:

DES MOINES, IA
Tax ID:

42-1002093
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2017):

Revenue: $986,135
Expenses: $743,508
Assets: $1,582,380
President:

President – Benjamin W. Allen1

References

  1. “ACLU of Iowa Board of Directors.” ACLU of Iowa. Accessed December 15, 2019. https://www.aclu-ia.org/en/about/boardofdirectors.

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The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Foundation of Iowa is the “educational” arm of the Iowa affiliate of the left-leaning ACLU activist organization. Founded in 1935, ACLU Iowa focuses on freedom of speech, abortion rights, voting rights, women’s rights, disability rights, and left-of-center race-relations policy, among other issues within the state of Iowa. 1

Activities

The ACLU Iowa splits its activity between Legal and Legislative efforts.

ACLU Iowa provides free legal assistance to individuals involved in civil rights disputes with Iowa state or local governments. Upon being contacted by a defendant, ACLU Iowa will review the case, and potentially seek attorneys to take the case pro bono. 2

The Foundation’s highest-profile case of 2019 was for Jon Goldsmith, a 50-year-old man from Red Oak, Iowa, who was charged with third-degree harassment after criticizing police conduct on his own Facebook page. With ACLU Iowa’s assistance, the charges were dropped and Goldsmith successfully counter-sued, resulting in a $10,000 settlement. 3

Legislative

ACLU Iowa supports left-of-center issues legislatively through lobbying4 and by publishing an annual scorecard on how closely the voting records of Iowan legislators at the state and federal levels accord with ACLU values. 5 The Foundation’s 501(c)(4) advocacy arm, ACLU Iowa, issues an annual scorecard of legislative votes: In 2018, of Iowa’s four federal Representatives, Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA) had the highest score of 88% while Reps. Steve King (R-IA) and then-Rep. David Young (R-IA) each had a score of 0%. 6

References

  1. “About the ACLU of Iowa.” ACLU Iowa. Accessed December 15, 2019. https://www.aclu-ia.org/en/about/about-us.
  2. “Frequently Asked Legal Questions.” ACLU Iowa. Accessed December 15, 2019. https://www.aclu-ia.org/en/frequently-asked-legal-questions.
  3. “An Iowa Man Wins His Free Speech Suit After Being Charged for a Facebook Rant Against a Cop.” Reason. Accessed December 15, 2019. https://reason.com/2019/07/09/an-iowa-man-wins-his-free-speech-suit-after-being-charged-for-a-facebook-rant-against-a-cop/.
  4. “Our Legislative Work.” ACLU Iowa. Accessed December 15, 2019. https://www.aclu-ia.org/en/our-legislative-work.
  5. “Iowa Legislative Voting Record.” ACLU Iowa. Accessed December 15, 2019. https://www.aclu-ia.org/en/iowa-legislative-voting-records.
  6. “Legislative Report and Civil Liberties Scorecard.” ACLU Iowa. Accessed December 15, 2019. https://www.aclu-ia.org/sites/default/files/final_9-25-18_voter_scorecard_.pdf.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: March - February
  • Tax Exemption Received: November 1, 1969

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2017 Mar Form 990 $986,135 $743,508 $1,582,380 $75,395 N $937,200 $5,684 $42,940 $45,951 PDF
    2016 Mar Form 990 $519,441 $644,557 $1,350,300 $150,571 N $521,479 $0 $-10,919 $0
    2015 Mar Form 990 $514,733 $645,265 $1,458,855 $89,988 N $463,373 $0 $49,198 $137,264 PDF
    2014 Mar Form 990 $1,203,631 $609,002 $1,598,395 $91,339 N $1,163,912 $0 $15,620 $79,316 PDF
    2013 Mar Form 990 $474,739 $480,953 $982,517 $54,652 N $442,747 $0 $12,388 $0 PDF
    2012 Mar Form 990 $631,167 $425,160 $989,409 $55,330 N $589,856 $0 $9,779 $0 PDF
    2011 Mar Form 990 $468,267 $357,427 $776,093 $48,021 N $465,961 $0 $9,456 $0 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    ACLU Foundation of Iowa

    505 5TH AVE STE 901
    DES MOINES, IA 50309-2316