American Civil Liberties Union Of

Los Angeles, CA ยท Founded 1946

Defends civil liberties and constitutional rights through litigation, advocacy, and organizing across Southern California

Primary audience
Marginalized communities
Work area
Legal advocacy
Topic
Civil liberties
Contact
Hector Villagra
Website Contact

About Organization

The organization defends civil liberties enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights through policy advocacy, media advocacy, and organizing. It fights to protect the civil rights of marginalized communities including people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, people with disabilities, and those experiencing poverty or incarceration. Based in Los Angeles, CA, the organization operates with $3.2 million in annual revenue and 60 volunteers, having served the region since 1946.

What They Focus On

Constitutional Rights Defense

Protecting civil liberties enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights through litigation and advocacy

Marginalized Communities

Defending rights of people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, disabled people, and those experiencing poverty or incarceration

Policy and Organizing

Advancing civil rights through policy advocacy, media campaigns, and grassroots community organizing across Southern California

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2023)

$3.2M

-30.4% vs 2022

Expenses (2023)

$5.0M

+5.3% vs 2022

Assets (2023)

$8.4M

-13.1% vs 2022

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2023 $3,222,144 $4,991,008 $8,398,694 0
2022 $4,628,647 $4,738,590 $9,669,998 0
2021 $5,601,442 $4,240,182 $9,796,512 0
2020 $6,468,432 $3,573,107 $8,468,032 0
2019 $5,032,282 $3,532,962 $5,680,181 41
2018 $4,670,372 $3,247,120 $4,555,293 58
2017 $7,902,504 $7,101,670 $2,466,838 36

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

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Identify Rights Violations

    Monitor constitutional violations and civil liberties infringements affecting marginalized communities across Southern California

  • 02

    Strategic Litigation

    File lawsuits and legal challenges to defend constitutional rights and establish precedent for civil liberties

  • 03

    Policy Advocacy

    Influence legislation and government policy through media campaigns, lobbying, and public education on rights issues

  • 04

    Community Mobilization

    Organize volunteers and community members to advocate for civil rights and defend constitutional freedoms through grassroots action

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by American Civil Liberties Union Of

Constitutional Rights Litigation

Legal advocacy to defend civil liberties and constitutional protections for all people through strategic court cases

Policy Advocacy

Influencing legislation and policy to advance civil rights protections and defend constitutional freedoms at state and local levels

Community Organizing

Mobilizing communities and volunteers to advocate for civil liberties and defend rights through grassroots engagement and education

Immigrant Rights Protection

Defending rights of immigrants and refugees through legal support, advocacy, and organizing against discriminatory policies and practices

Criminal Justice Reform

Fighting for rights of incarcerated people and those experiencing poverty or houselessness through advocacy and legal intervention

LGBTQ+ Rights Advocacy

Protecting rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals through litigation, policy work, and public education

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind American Civil Liberties Union Of.

HV

Hector Villagra

Executive Director
24 hrs/week
Compensation: $105,103
MB

Marcus Benigno

Chief Communications And Marketing Officer
27 hrs/week
Compensation: $83,958
PK

Preeti Kulkarni

Chief Financial Officer (Thru 02/24)
18 hrs/week
Compensation: $73,085
DR

Deborah Roberson

Chief Human Resources Officer
18 hrs/week
Compensation: $68,132
EM

Esmeralda Martinez

Interim Chief Financial Officer
18 hrs/week
Compensation: $51,255
JW

Julie Weinstein

Chief Development Officer
6 hrs/week
Compensation: $22,599
VL

Victor Leung

Chief Advocacy & Legal Officer
6 hrs/week
Compensation: $17,680
CG

Candice Garrett

Director (Thru 12/23)
2 hrs/week
CA

Carlos Amador

President
5 hrs/week
DG

Dax Goldstein

Vice President
5 hrs/week
DG

Denise Gastelum

Director (Thru 12/23)
2 hrs/week
EG

Ellen Greenstone

Director (Thru 12/23)
2 hrs/week
JB

Jonathan Bibriesca

Director (Thru 12/23)
2 hrs/week
MR

Marissa Roy

Director (Thru 09/23)
2 hrs/week
MG

Michele Goodwin

Director (Thru 07/23)
2 hrs/week
PM

Paul McDermott

Director (Thru 12/23)
2 hrs/week
RK

Rena Karefa-Johnson

Director (Thru 12/23)
2 hrs/week
SH

Stacy Horth-Neubert

Director (Thru 03/20/24)
2 hrs/week
CW

Clarissa Woo

Dir. Of Economic Justice/Deputy Dir. Of Advocacy
34 hrs/week
Compensation: $126,241
EM

Elvia Meza

Dir. Of Activist Engagement And Development
34 hrs/week
Compensation: $112,082
ED

Emily Dasilva

Affirmative Action Officer
5 hrs/week
AF

Amy Friedman

Director
BT

Betty Toto

Director
BH

Brenda Holmes

Director
CT

Connie Tcheng

Director
DP

Damien Petty

Director
DP

Dick Price

Director
DM

Douglas Mirell

Director
GW

Gary Williams

Director
GM

Gregory Mann

Director
IG

Isabelle Gunning

Director
JL

Jim Lafferty

Director
JN

Jim Nasella

Director
JA

Jody Armour

Director
JE

John Erickson

Director
JG

Joshua Gillins

Director
JA

Julie Alley

Director
KM

Kaz Matamura

Director
MM

Malek Moazzam-Doulat

Director
ME

Mary Ellen Gale

Director
MK

Michael Klein

Director
MM

Michael Milan

Director
MW

Michelle White

Director
NG

Nancy Greenstein

Director
RS

Rana Sharif

Director
RH

Rita Henry

Director
RC

Robert Corsini

Director
RK

Ron Kagan

Director
SK

Sharon Kyle

Director
SR

Stephen Rohde

Director
TV

Tania Verafield

Director
VD

Vincent Destefano

Director
WM

Wendy Mitchell

Director
YM

Yvonne Medrano

Director
ZK

Zella Knight

Director
ZK

Zuade Kaufman

Director

Milestones

1946

Organization Founded

1946

Established to defend civil liberties and constitutional rights across Southern California

2017

Peak Advocacy Year

2017

Achieved record revenue of $7.9 million responding to increased threats to civil liberties

2020

Pandemic Rights Protection

2020

Expanded advocacy during pandemic to defend rights of vulnerable populations and incarcerated individuals

2023

Sustained Operations

2023

Continued civil liberties defense with 60 volunteers and ongoing litigation and advocacy efforts

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AF
Amy Friedman Director 2.00 hrs/week
BT
Betty Toto Director 2.00 hrs/week
BH
Brenda Holmes Director 2.00 hrs/week
CP
Connie Parker Treasurer 5.00 hrs/week
CT
Connie Tcheng Director 2.00 hrs/week
DP
Damien Petty Director 2.00 hrs/week
DP
Dick Price Director 2.00 hrs/week
DM
Douglas Mirell Director 2.00 hrs/week
GW
Gary Williams Director 2.00 hrs/week
GM
Gregory Mann Director 2.00 hrs/week
IG
Isabelle Gunning Director 2.00 hrs/week
JL
Jim Lafferty Director 2.00 hrs/week
JN
Jim Nasella Director 2.00 hrs/week
JA
Jody Armour Director 2.00 hrs/week
JE
John Erickson Director 2.00 hrs/week
JG
Joshua Gillins Director 2.00 hrs/week
JA
Julie Alley Director 2.00 hrs/week
JM
Julie Morales National Board Rep. 5.00 hrs/week
KH
Karriann Hinds Secretary 5.00 hrs/week
KM
Kaz Matamura Director 5.00 hrs/week
MM
Malek Moazzam-Doulat Director 2.00 hrs/week
ME
Mary Ellen Gale Director 2.00 hrs/week
MK
Michael Klein Director 2.00 hrs/week
MM
Michael Milan Director 2.00 hrs/week
MW
Michelle White Director 2.00 hrs/week
NG
Nancy Greenstein Director 2.00 hrs/week
RS
Rana Sharif Director 5.00 hrs/week
RH
Rita Henry Director 2.00 hrs/week
RC
Robert Corsini Director 2.00 hrs/week
RK
Ron Kagan Director 2.00 hrs/week
SK
Sharon Kyle Director 2.00 hrs/week
SR
Stephen Rohde Director 2.00 hrs/week
TV
Tania Verafield Director 2.00 hrs/week
VD
Vincent Destefano Director 2.00 hrs/week
WM
Wendy Mitchell Director 2.00 hrs/week
YM
Yvonne Medrano Director 2.00 hrs/week
ZK
Zella Knight Director 2.00 hrs/week
ZK
Zuade Kaufman Director 2.00 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)

$861K

Highest Paid

$186K

Clarissa Woo

Compensated Officers

9

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Clarissa Woo DIR. Of Economic Justice/Deputy DIR. Of Advocacy $126,241 $59,710 $185,951 33.75
Elvia Meza DIR. Of Activist Engagement And Development $112,082 $58,425 $170,507 33.75
Hector Villagra Executive Director $105,103 $45,213 $150,316 24
Marcus Benigno Chief Communications And Marketing Officer $83,958 $7,955 $91,913 27
Preeti Kulkarni Chief Financial Officer (Thru 02/24) $73,085 $6,799 $79,884 18
Deborah Roberson Chief Human Resources Officer $68,132 $8,221 $76,353 18
Esmeralda Martinez Interim Chief Financial Officer $51,255 $8,676 $59,931 18
Julie Weinstein Chief Development Officer $22,599 $3,745 $26,344 6
Victor Leung Chief Advocacy & Legal Officer $17,680 $2,348 $20,028 6

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

Contact

Get in touch with American Civil Liberties Union Of

Phone

(213) 977-9500

Social

Visit Website
1313 West Eighth Street Los Angeles, CA 90017