Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Meets Standards
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
Americans United for Separation of Church and State meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to defend, maintain and promote religiohs liberty and the constitutional principle of separation of religion and government."
]to defend, maintain and promote religious liberty and the constitutional principle of separation of religion and governm"
Year, State Incorporated:
1948, DC
Also Known As:
Americans United
Americans United for the Separation of Church and State (AU) works to preserve the separation of church and state through litigation, advocacy, and education efforts. The organization 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 ($997,177 or 11%) of AFSC program service activities are carried out in conjunction with fundraising appeals.
For the year ended September 30, 2023, Americans United for Separation of Church and State's program expenses were:
| Educational and publication division | $3,835,819 |
| Field services division | $2,008,699 |
| Legal division | $3,101,607 |
| Legal academy | $529,306 |
| Trustees and national advisory council meetings | $19,498 |
| Total Program Expenses | $9,494,929 |
Chief Executive
Rachel Laser, President and Chief Execuitve Officer
Compensation*
$291,233
Chair of the Board
Jim Winkler
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Former President and General Secretary, National Council of Churches
Board Size
13
Paid Staff Size
41
*2021 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Telemarketing
Americans United for Separation of Church and State incurred joint costs of $1,931,181 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $977,177 was allocated to program expenses, $513,933 was allocated to administrative, and $440,071 was allocated to fundraising expenses.
Fundraising costs were 11% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $18,047,724 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, 2023.
Source of Funds
| Sales of literature | $1,778 |
| Contributions of financial assets -- local churches | $2,161 |
| Other revenue | $12,818 |
| Gift annuity income | $17,237 |
| Contributions of financial assets -- chapters | $22,174 |
| Legal settlement | $45,000 |
| Conference income | $64,347 |
| Investment income, net | $559,771 |
| Realized and unrealized gain on investments | $763,991 |
| Contributions of nonfinancial assets | $1,149,953 |
| Contributions -- trust and foundation grants | $3,949,402 |
| Bequests | $6,355,351 |
| Contributions- major gifts and marketing | $6,568,683 |
| Total Income | $19,512,666 |
Programs: 74% Fundraising: 15% Administrative: 11%
| Total Income | $19,512,666 |
| Total expenses: | $12,781,324 |
| Program expenses | $9,494,929 |
| Fundraising expenses | $1,932,201 |
| Administrative expenses | $1,354,194 |
| Other expenses | $-432,706 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $6,731,342 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $15,405,645 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $436,484 |
| Ending Net Assets | $22,573,471 |
| Total Liabilities | $4,504,977 |
| Total Assets | $27,078,448 |
Note 1: For the year ended September 30, 2023, AU reported in-kind contributions totaling $1,149,953 including in-kind legal services ($1,144,788), sponsorship ($5,000), and exhibit rental ($165).
Note 2: In the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" represent minimum pension liabilty adjustment and change in value of split interest agreements.
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
RELATED CONTENT
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance