American Civil Liberties Union Of Iowa

Des Moines, IA · Founded 1935

Defends constitutional rights and civil liberties through legal advocacy, policy work, and public education in Iowa

Primary audience
Iowa residents
Work area
Legal advocacy
Topic
Civil liberties
Contact
McRoberts Peter
Website Contact

About Organization

The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa works to protect constitutional rights including free speech, free press, and free assembly across the state. Based in Des Moines, IA, the organization operates with $0.3 million in annual revenue and engages 600 volunteers in its advocacy and education efforts. Founded in 1935, it advances civil liberties through litigation, legislative advocacy, and public education programs.

What They Focus On

First Amendment Rights

Defending freedom of speech, press, assembly, and petition through litigation and advocacy across Iowa

Constitutional Protection

Safeguarding rights guaranteed by U.S. and Iowa constitutions through legal action and policy work

Civil Liberties Education

Promoting public understanding of civil rights and constitutional protections through community education programs

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2023)

$256K

-25.6% vs 2022

Expenses (2023)

$220K

+17.8% vs 2022

Assets (2023)

$910K

+15.6% vs 2022

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2023 $255,920 $219,754 $909,981 0
2022 $343,873 $186,597 $787,422 0
2021 $270,005 $156,186 $646,360 0
2020 $252,370 $249,205 $499,153 0
2019 $370,658 $289,625 $535,210 0
2018 $171,709 $130,265 $365,660 0
2017 $116,461 $120,410 — —

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

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Identify Violations

    Monitor and investigate civil rights violations and constitutional infringements across Iowa

  • 02

    Legal Action

    Pursue litigation and legal advocacy to defend constitutional rights in courts

  • 03

    Policy Advocacy

    Work with legislators to advance laws protecting civil liberties and constitutional rights

  • 04

    Community Education

    Educate public through programs fostering understanding and respect for civil liberties

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by American Civil Liberties Union Of Iowa

Constitutional Advocacy

Litigates cases to defend First Amendment rights and constitutional protections for Iowa residents

Policy & Legislation

Advances public policy agenda to strengthen civil rights protections in state and federal law

Public Education

Educates Iowa residents about civil liberties and constitutional rights through community programs and resources

Free Speech Defense

Protects rights of free speech, press, and peaceful assembly through legal action and advocacy

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind American Civil Liberties Union Of Iowa.

MP

McRoberts Peter

Policy Director
17 hrs/week
Compensation: $47,780
SM

Stringer Mark

Executive Director
5 hrs/week
Compensation: $17,093
AR

Austen Rita Bettis

Legal Director
BU

Balde Umaru

Director (Left Mar 2023)
1 hrs/week
CR

Calzada Ramon

Director (Left Jan 2023)
1 hrs/week
CS

Conroy Sarah

Development Director
GA

Giller Andy

President
1 hrs/week
MH

Mannetter Heidi

Vice President
1 hrs/week
MR

Marcu Ruxandra

Director (Left Mar 2023)
1 hrs/week
MS

Munsterman Stefanie

Past President
1 hrs/week
RS

Reyes Sonia

Director (Left Nov 2023)
1 hrs/week
RK

Rivera Kevin

Director (Left May 2023)
1 hrs/week
SD

Salowitz Debra

Director (Left Mar 2023)
1 hrs/week
WW

Wiggins Wallas

Director (Left Jun 2023)
1 hrs/week
EC

Eboh Collins

Equity Officer
1 hrs/week
LM

Lantz Marilyn

At-Large Executive Committee
1 hrs/week
DK

Davidson Katie

Director
DK

Delagardelle Kyrstin

Director
LE

Lain Erin

Director
RI

Rayford Ike

Director
SN

Salowitz Neil

Director
ST

Schmidt Todd

Director
WD

Walker David

Director
WJ

Wilson Jonathan

Director

Milestones

1935

Organization Founded

1935

ACLU of Iowa established to defend civil liberties in the state

1970

IRS Recognition

1970

Granted tax-exempt status as nonprofit organization

2019

Revenue Peak

2019

Reached highest annual revenue of $371,000 during period of increased advocacy

2023

Leadership Transition

2023

New policy and legal directors appointed to strengthen advocacy capacity

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

DK
Davidson Katie Director 1.00 hrs/week
DK
Delagardelle Kyrstin Director 1.00 hrs/week
GJ
Garst Jennifer Treasurer (Left Sep 2023) 1.00 hrs/week
KJ
Knock Janet Treasurer 1.00 hrs/week
LE
Lain Erin Director 1.00 hrs/week
PC
Peterson Caitlin Treasurer (Left Mar 2023) 1.00 hrs/week
RI
Rayford Ike Director 1.00 hrs/week
SN
Salowitz Neil Director 1.00 hrs/week
ST
Schmidt Todd Director 1.00 hrs/week
VR
Vong Reiff Leng Secretary 1.00 hrs/week
WD
Walker David Director 1.00 hrs/week
WJ
Wilson Jonathan Director 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)

$125K

Highest Paid

$65K

Mcroberts Peter

Compensated Officers

4

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Mcroberts Peter Policy Director $47,780 $16,769 $64,549 17.2
Stringer Mark Executive Director $17,093 $28,290 $45,383 5.2
Austen Rita Bettis Legal Director $0 $8,452 $8,452 —
Conroy Sarah Development Director $0 $6,492 $6,492 —

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

Individual Political Donors

People from this organization who contributed to political campaigns

$28K Total Given
Democratic $25,210 (89%)
Other/PAC $3,144 (11%)
100 Contributions
$284 Avg Each

Top Individual Donors

26 Individual Donors
HS
Harper Seldin 4 contributions • $1,200 avg
$4,800
MC
Mingqi Chu 2 contributions • $2,000 avg
$4,000
BD
Brian Dimmick 3 contributions • $1,300 avg
$3,900
DM
David Mckinney 1 contribution • $3,300 avg
$3,300
LL
Lauren Lee 10 contributions • $300 avg
$3,000

Other Individual Contributors $9,354 combined

#6
JR

Judy Rabinovitz

New York, NY

$1,980 Total
4 Contributions
ELISSA SLOTKIN FOR MICHIGAN AMERICA VOTES ACTION
#7
JD

John Doherty

Washington, DC

$1,600 Total
7 Contributions
HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT ACTBLUE
#8
PM

Patrick Mchenry

Brooklyn, NY

$600 Total
3 Contributions
HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT ACTBLUE
#9
KM

Kriston Mcintosh

Bethesda, MD

$533 Total
2 Contributions
ALSOBROOKS VICTORY ALSOBROOKS FOR SENATE
#10
RB

Ruth Bourquin

Cambridge, MA

$500 Total
2 Contributions
ACTBLUE
#11
AH

Andrew Hoover

Mechanicsburg, PA

$500 Total
2 Contributions
HARRIS VICTORY ACTBLUE
#12
SS

Steve Smith

Brooklyn, NY

$500 Total
1 Contribution
GREENPEACE USA VOTES
#13
MZ

Mohammad Zaidi

Robbinsville, NJ

$450 Total
4 Contributions
HARRIS VICTORY DNC SERVICES CORP / DEMOCRATIC N...
#14
KJ

Kamara Jones

Washington, DC

$360 Total
2 Contributions
HARRIS VICTORY HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT
#15
ED

Evelyn Danforth

San Francisco, CA

$350 Total
1 Contribution
SAN FRANCISCO DEMOCRATIC COUNTY ...
#16
DC

David Cole

Washington, DC

$312 Total
2 Contributions
COLIN ALLRED FOR SENATE
#17
AH

Aaron Horowitz

San Francisco, CA

$310 Total
18 Contributions
DNC SERVICES CORP / DEMOCRATIC N... ACTBLUE
#18
AY

Andrea Young

Atlanta, GA

$250 Total
10 Contributions
WARNOCK FOR GEORGIA
#19
MZ

Michael Zamore

Washington, DC

$250 Total
1 Contribution
ALSOBROOKS VICTORY
#20
SM

Sarah Michelsen

Phoenix, AZ

$250 Total
1 Contribution
ACTBLUE
#21
KG

Karen Goldman

Brooklyn, NY

$200 Total
2 Contributions
HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT
#22
ED

Emily Dindial

Brooklyn, NY

$135 Total
9 Contributions
ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ FOR CON...
#23
IT

Ian Thompson

Frederick, MD

$104 Total
3 Contributions
JILL STEIN FOR PRESIDENT 2024
#24
DK

Daniel Korobkin

Ann Arbor, MI

$100 Total
1 Contribution
ELISSA SLOTKIN FOR MICHIGAN
#25
PM

Peter Meysenburg

New York, NY

$40 Total
2 Contributions
JUSTICE DEMOCRATS PAC
#26
AB

Aaron Black

New Orleans, LA

$30 Total
3 Contributions
JON OSSOFF FOR SENATE

Quick Insights

🏆
Most Active Donor Aaron Horowitz with 18 contributions
💰
Highest Avg per Contribution Mingqi Chu at $2,000 each
🎯
Top Recipient ACTBLUE — $7,990

Data from Federal Election Commission • Individual contributions only

Related Organizations

3 affiliated entities reported on IRS Form 990 Schedule R

3

Tax-Exempt Affiliates

3
American Civil Liberties Union Inc
New York, NY
Preservation And Promotion Of Civil Rights And Liberties
501(c) 501(C)(4)
American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Inc
New York, NY
Preservation And Promotion Of Civil Rights And Liberties
501(c) 501(C)(3)
American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Of Iowa
Des Moines, IA
Preservation And Promotion Of Civil Rights And Liberties
501(c) 501(C)(3)

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

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 Union Of Iowa

Phone

(515) 243-3988

Social

Visit Website
505 5th Ave 808 Des Moines, IA 50309