American Civil Liberties Foundation

Philadelphia, PA · Founded 1971

Defends individual rights guaranteed by the U.S. and Pennsylvania Constitutions through litigation, advocacy, and public education

Primary audience

Pennsylvania residents

Work area

Legal advocacy

Topic

Civil liberties

Contact

Witold Walczak

Website Contact

About Organization

The organization protects civil liberties in Pennsylvania through legal action, policy advocacy, and community education programs. Based in Philadelphia, PA, it operates with 39 employees and 450 volunteers, maintaining $9.0 million in total assets. Founded in 1971, the organization has consistently defended constitutional rights across the state for over five decades.

What They Focus On

Constitutional Litigation

Defends individual rights through strategic legal action in cases involving First Amendment, due process, and equal protection violations

Legislative Advocacy

Influences policy development at state and local levels to strengthen civil liberties protections for Pennsylvania residents

Rights Education

Empowers communities through educational programs that inform citizens about their constitutional rights and legal protections

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2023)

$4.0M

-15.6% vs 2022

Expenses (2023)

$5.1M

+8.1% vs 2022

Assets (2023)

$9.0M

-7.1% vs 2022

Employees (2023)

-2.5% vs 2022

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Employees
2023	$3,974,586	$5,104,082	$8,978,295	39
2022	$4,707,605	$4,722,726	$9,668,469	40
2021	$4,773,653	$3,945,482	$9,232,042	35
2020	$5,006,732	$4,123,429	$8,482,518	35
2019	$3,900,325	$3,618,447	$6,882,441	36

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

01

Identify Rights Violations

Monitor civil liberties threats across Pennsylvania through community reports and legal surveillance
02

Legal Assessment

Evaluate cases for constitutional merit and develop litigation strategy with legal team
03

Strategic Litigation

File lawsuits and represent clients in court to establish precedent protecting constitutional rights
04

Advocacy & Education

Use case outcomes to inform policy advocacy and public education initiatives statewide

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by American Civil Liberties Foundation

Civil Rights Litigation

Provides legal representation in cases involving violations of constitutional rights under U.S. and Pennsylvania law

Policy Advocacy

Engages in legislative advocacy to protect and expand civil liberties protections at state and local levels

Public Education

Educates Pennsylvania residents about their constitutional rights through community programs and educational resources

Affiliate Program Support

Coordinates with national civil liberties network to strengthen constitutional protections across multiple jurisdictions

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind American Civil Liberties Foundation.

Witold Walczak

Legal Director

Full-time

Compensation: $181,979

Claire Landau

Deputy Director

30 hrs/week

Compensation: $158,145

Trisha Graham

Director Of Finance And Ad

28 hrs/week

Compensation: $142,749

Sara Mullen

Associate Director

28 hrs/week

Compensation: $142,391

Sarah Johnson

Director Of Philanthropy

Full-time

Compensation: $129,981

Sara Rose

Deputy Legal Director

Full-time

Compensation: $123,402

Riley Ross III

Vice President

3 hrs/week

Stephen Loney

Senior Supervising Attorney

Full-time

Compensation: $119,831

Peter Goldberger

Board President

Milestones

1971

Foundation Established

1971

Organization founded to defend constitutional rights in Pennsylvania through litigation and advocacy

2020

Peak Revenue Year

2020

Achieved highest annual revenue of $5.0 million while maintaining 35 staff members

2023

Expanded Volunteer Network

2023

Grew volunteer base to 450 individuals supporting civil liberties work across Pennsylvania

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

Adrienne Ghorashi Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Amer Sajed Treasurer 2.00 hrs/week

Anjelica Hendricks Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Antonia Domingo Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Arthur Kaplan Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Carl Peridier Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Caroline Cruz Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Ciera Ellison Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Don Millinger Board Member 2.00 hrs/week

Dov Hasselkorn Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Dr Damary Bonilla-Rodriguez Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Dr Kathi Elliot Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Jill Anderson Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Julian Goldman Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Lacee Ecker Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Margaret Watts Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Marie Gottschalk Secretary 3.00 hrs/week

Martha Conley Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Monica Ruiz Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Nikki Hatza Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Peter Goldberger Board President 3.00 hrs/week

Richard Askey Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Robert Saleem Holbrook Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Shamyra Felix Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Shuja Moore Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Stephanie Towles Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

Wasi Mohamed Board Member 1.00 hrs/week

William Warren Jr Treasurer 3.00 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)

$1.2M

Highest Paid

$213K

Witold Walczak

Compensated Officers

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Witold Walczak	Legal Director	$181,979	$31,142	$213,121	40
Trisha Graham	Director Of Finance And Ad	$142,749	$31,482	$174,231	28
Sara Mullen	Associate Director	$142,391	$31,460	$173,851	28
Claire Landau	Deputy Director	$158,145	$589	$158,734	30
Sara Rose	Deputy Legal Director	$123,402	$31,389	$154,791	40
Stephen Loney	Senior Supervising Attorney	$119,831	$31,376	$151,207	40
Sarah Johnson	Director Of Philanthropy	$129,981	$10,465	$140,446	36

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Witold Walczak	Legal Director	$172,712	$33,193	$205,905	40
Reginald Shuford	Executive Director	$181,250	$10,490	$191,740	36
Sara Rose	Deputy Legal Director	$117,760	$33,338	$151,098	40
Sara Mullen	Associate Director	$92,974	$32,396	$125,370	28
Trisha Graham	Director Of Finance And Administration	$86,572	$33,934	$120,506	28
Sarah Johnson	Director Of Philanthropy	$103,969	$10,645	$114,614	36
Andrew Hoover	Communications Director	$70,302	$519	$70,821	20

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Reginald T Shuford	Executive Di	$172,832	$9,378	$182,210	34
Vic Walczak	Legal Direct	$148,627	$27,309	$175,936	40
Mary Catherine Roper	Deputy Legal	$101,694	$12,119	$113,813	34
Sara Mullen	Associate Di	$85,108	$27,162	$112,270	34
Trisha Graham	Director Of	$75,052	$27,127	$102,179	34
Andrew Hoover	Director Of	$64,269	$476	$64,745	34

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Reginald T Shuford	Executive Director	$166,260	$9,211	$175,471	34
Vic Walczak	Legal Director	$148,627	$26,385	$175,012	40
Mary Catherine Roper	Deputy Legal Director	$101,694	$17,868	$119,562	34
Sara Mullen	Associate Director/Advocac	$82,867	$26,252	$109,119	34
Trisha Graham	Director Of Finance And Administration	$75,743	$26,218	$101,961	34
Andrew Hoover	Director Of Communications	$94,632	$520	$95,152	34

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Vic Walczak	Legal Director	$148,627	$23,394	$172,021	40
Reginald T Shuford	Executive Director	$147,538	$8,020	$155,558	34
John Frisbee	Director Of Philanthropy	$95,935	$14,771	$110,706	34
Mary Catherine Roper	Deputy Legal Director	$101,694	$7,815	$109,509	34
Sara Mullen	Associate Director/Advocacy	$74,076	$23,281	$97,357	34
Andrew Hoover	Director Of Communications	$81,142	$429	$81,571	34

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

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$476K Grants Received

8 Organizations

Top Funders

8 total

Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund

$166K

The Pittsburgh Foundation

$106K

Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund

$80K

The Philadelphia Foundation

$54K

American Online Giving Foundation Inc.

$30K

Impactassetsinc

$25K

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and

$9K

The United Way Of Southwestern

$7K

Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund The Pittsburgh Foundation Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund The Philadelphia Foundation American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Impactassetsinc United Way of Greater Philadelphia and The United Way Of Southwestern

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

Lobbying Activity

Lobbying Disclosure Act registrations

Self-Lobbying

9 Registrations

3 Clients

Yes Self-Lobbying

Clients 3 total

American Civil Liberties Union

7 filings

Self

American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Inc.

1 filing

Self

American Civil Liberties Union Of Texas

1 filing

Self

Source: Senate Office of Public Records — Lobbying Disclosure Act

Contact

Get in touch with American Civil Liberties Foundation

Phone

(215) 592-1513

Social

Visit Website

1800 Jfk Boulevard 600 Philadelphia, PA 19103

American Civil Liberties Foundation

What They Focus On

Financial Information

How They Work

Identify Rights Violations

Legal Assessment

Strategic Litigation

Advocacy & Education

Programs and Initiatives

Civil Rights Litigation

Policy Advocacy

Public Education

Affiliate Program Support

Team & Leadership

Witold Walczak

Claire Landau

Trisha Graham

Sara Mullen

Sarah Johnson

Sara Rose

Riley Ross III

Stephen Loney

Peter Goldberger

Milestones

Foundation Established

Peak Revenue Year

Expanded Volunteer Network

Associated People

Board of Directors

Executive Compensation

Partners & Funders

Top Funders

Related Organizations

Tax-Exempt Affiliates

Lobbying Activity

Clients 3 total

Contact

Phone

Social