Americans United for Separation of Church and State meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
AU works to preserve the separation of church and state through litigation, advocacy, and education efforts. The organization states that it is involved in court cases that set legal precedents on behalf of church-state separation. AU initiates lawsuits, provides legal counsel and support in cases, and serves as partners in joint lawsuits. As a part of the organization?s education program, AU publishes a monthly magazine, "Church & State," and produces issue-papers, legislative alerts, reference materials and books. Through AU?s advocacy efforts, the organization aids its members and the public in making their opinions known to public officials about issues relating to church-state separation and serves as a liaison between its members and Congress, the White House and state legislators. Some ($363,362 or 7%) AU's program activities are carried out in conjunction with fund raising appeals.
For the year ended September 30, 2018, Americans United for Separation of Church and State's program expenses were:
Educational and publication division |
$1,973,375 |
Legal division |
$1,578,783 |
Field services division |
$1,269,315 |
Trustee and national advisory council meetings |
$84,719 |
Total Program Expenses: |
$4,906,192 |
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Chief Executive
Barry Lynn, Executive Director
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Compensation*
$194,749
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Chair of the Board
Neal Jones
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Minister, Unitarian Universalist Church
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Board Size
15
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Paid Staff Size
29
*2016 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)
AU incurred joint costs of $925,311 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $477,758 was allocated to fundraising expenses, $363,362 was allocated to program expenses, and $84,191 was allocated to administrative expenses.
Fundraising costs were 19% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $7,412,507, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Americans United for Separation of Church and State's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2018.
Source of Funds |
Contributions |
$4,493,205 |
Bequests |
$2,034,644 |
Trusts and foundations |
$515,244 |
Investment income, net |
$402,308 |
Special events |
$220,448 |
Gift annuity income |
$103,736 |
Chapter contributions |
$32,895 |
Other revenue |
$16,846 |
Donated services |
$10,320 |
Contributions - local churches |
$2,015 |
Sales of literature |
$1,750 |
Realized loss on investments |
($395,401) |
Total Income |
$7,438,010 |
- Programs: 69%
- Fundraising: 20%
- Administrative: 11%
Total Income |
$7,438,010 |
Program expenses |
$4,906,192 |
Fundraising expenses |
$1,408,834 |
Administrative expenses |
$848,785 |
Other expenses |
$0 |
Total expenses: |
$7,163,811 |
Income in Excess of Expenses |
$274,199 |
Beginning Net Assets |
$8,724,617 |
Other Changes In Net Assets |
$65,259 |
Ending Net Assets |
$9,064,075 |
Total Liabilities |
$8,036,496 |
Total Assets |
$17,100,571 |
Note: According to AU's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2018, the organization recieved in-kind contributions totaling $10,320 in legal services.