ACLU Foundation of Texas Inc

Houston, TX · Founded 1991

Defends civil rights and liberties through litigation, advocacy, and public education across Texas

Primary audience
All Texans
Work area
Legal Advocacy
Topic
Civil Rights
Contact
Oni Blair
Website Contact

About Organization

The ACLU Foundation of Texas champions individual rights and freedoms through legal representation, legislative advocacy, and community education. Based in Houston, TX, the organization operates with 49 employees and 300 volunteers, managing an annual budget of $3.3 million. Founded in 1991, it provides legal counsel to individuals whose civil liberties are threatened.

What They Focus On

Legal Defense

Provides direct legal representation and counsel to individuals facing civil rights violations across Texas

Legislative Reform

Advocates for state policies protecting freedom, equality, and dignity for all Texas residents

Rights Education

Educates communities about constitutional protections and empowers individuals to defend their liberties

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2023)

$3.3M

-25.2% vs 2022

Expenses (2023)

$4.4M

+6% vs 2022

Assets (2023)

$4.4M

-20.4% vs 2022

Employees (2023)

49

-2% vs 2022

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2023 $3,310,675 $4,387,676 $4,408,298 49
2022 $4,427,673 $4,138,197 $5,537,796 50
2021 $4,484,403 $3,725,750 $5,277,984 59
2020 $6,109,343 $4,631,489 $5,274,672 65
2019 $4,932,384 $5,104,724 $3,033,617 72
2018 $4,966,082 $3,963,852 $2,837,253 53
2017 $3,651,487 $3,857,274 $1,862,779 43

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Identify Violations

    Monitor civil rights violations across Texas through community reports and public records

  • 02

    Legal Intervention

    Provide legal counsel and representation to individuals whose constitutional rights are threatened

  • 03

    Legislative Advocacy

    Work with Texas lawmakers to advance policies protecting civil liberties and individual freedoms

  • 04

    Community Education

    Educate the public about constitutional rights through outreach and educational programming

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by ACLU Foundation of Texas Inc

Civil Rights Litigation

Provides legal representation to individuals whose constitutional rights and civil liberties have been violated

Policy and Advocacy

Works through the Texas legislature to advance laws protecting individual freedoms and civil rights

Public Education

Educates Texans about their constitutional rights through community outreach and educational programs

Fellowship Program

Trains next generation of civil rights advocates through structured fellowship and mentorship opportunities

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind ACLU Foundation of Texas Inc.

OB

Oni Blair

Executive Director
24 hrs/week
Compensation: $122,855
CS

Crystal Sykes

Chief Operating Officer
24 hrs/week
Compensation: $106,250
AP

Adriana Pinon

Legal Director
24 hrs/week
Compensation: $100,205
EM

Erik Martinez-Resly

Communications Director
24 hrs/week
Compensation: $84,748
CH

Carla Holeva

Director of Development
24 hrs/week
Compensation: $84,737
MS

Matthew Simpson

Co-Director, Policy and Advocacy
24 hrs/week
Compensation: $67,187
LC

Lauren Coffee

Co-Director, Policy and Advocacy
24 hrs/week
Compensation: $66,897
ES

Edgar Saldivar

Senior Staff Attorney
24 hrs/week
Compensation: $74,368
TB

Thomas Buser-Clancy

Senior Staff Attorney
24 hrs/week
Compensation: $65,396
RN

Ranjana Natarajan

Chair & President

Milestones

1991

Foundation Established

1991

ACLU Foundation of Texas founded to defend civil liberties statewide

2017

Expanded Operations

2017

Increased staff to 43 employees as civil rights cases increased

2019

Peak Staff Growth

2019

Reached maximum capacity of 72 employees responding to heightened civil rights needs

2020

Record Funding

2020

Achieved highest annual revenue of $6.1 million during critical civil rights period

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

BA
Bilal Ayub Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
CJ
Craig Jackson Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
DH
David Henderson Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
FM
Fatma Marouf Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
FA
Feliz Abalos Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
FB
Froswa Booker-Drew Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
GB
Gary Bledsoe Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
GG
Georgine Guillory Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
GS
Graciela Sanchez Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
LR
Laura Rodriguez Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
LH
Lee Henderson Vice Chair 1.00 hrs/week
LR
Leon Reed Jr Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
MQ
Manuel Quinto-Pozos Secretary 1.00 hrs/week
ME
Marilyn Eiland Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
MH
MaryScott Hagle Treasurer 1.00 hrs/week
NF
Nicola F Toubia Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
RN
Ranjana Natarajan Chair & President 1.00 hrs/week
RD
Ricardo de Anda Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
RB
Royce Brooks Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2023)

$895K

Highest Paid

$139K

Oni Blair

Compensated Officers

9

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Oni Blair Executive Director $122,855 $16,044 $138,899 24
Crystal Sykes Chief Operating Officer $106,250 $18,407 $124,657 24
Adriana Pinon Legal Director $100,205 $9,185 $109,390 24
Carla Holeva Director Of Development $84,737 $17,806 $102,543 24
Edgar Saldivar Senior Staff Attorney $74,368 $19,786 $94,154 24
Erik Martinez-Resly Communications Director $84,748 $5,650 $90,398 24
Thomas Buser-Clancy Senior Staff Attorney $65,396 $19,081 $84,477 24
Matthew Simpson Co-Director, Policy And Advocacy $67,187 $8,332 $75,519 24
Lauren Coffee Co-Director, Policy And Advocacy $66,897 $8,003 $74,900 24

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$827K

Total Forgiven

$835K

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

57

Loan Details 1 loan

$827,180
Forgiven
Forgiven: $834,817 100%
Approved Apr 29, 2020
Lender Susser Bank
Jobs Reported 57
Forgiven On Apr 14, 2021

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$1.5M Grants Received
7 Organizations

Top Funders

7 total
AC
American Civil Liberties Union Foundation
$811K
AE
American Endowment Foundation
$284K
FI
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
$247K
AO
American Online Giving Foundation Inc.
$108K
EJ
Equal Justice Works
$50K
NF
Network For Good
$9K
CA
Charities Aid Foundation America
$5K
American Civil Liberties Union Foundation American Endowment Foundation Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Equal Justice Works Network For Good Charities Aid Foundation America
American Civil Liberties Union Foundation American Endowment Foundation Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Equal Justice Works Network For Good Charities Aid Foundation America

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Related Organizations

1 affiliated entity reported on IRS Form 990 Schedule R

1

Tax-Exempt Affiliates

1
ACLU of Texas Inc
Houston, TX
Protect/promote/preserve civil liberties
501(c) 501(c)(4)

Source: IRS Form 990, Schedule R (Related Organizations and Unrelated Partnerships)

Contact

Get in touch with ACLU Foundation of Texas Inc

Phone

(713) 942-8146

Social

Visit Website
Po Box 8306 Houston, TX 77288