Summary
The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) is a not-for-profit public interest law firm and educational organization dedicated to defending the rights of believers. As a not-for-profit organization that does not charge for its legal services, the ACLJ is dependent upon God and the resources He provides through the time, talent and gifts of people who share their concerns over the erosion of our religious and civil liberties.
Contact Information: [ Back to top ]
| Mailing Address: | P.O. Box 64429
Virginia Beach, VA
23467-3467 |
| Website: | www.aclj.org |
| Phone: | (757) 226-2821 |
| Email: | You need to enable javascript to see the email |
Organization Details [ Back to top ]
EIN: 541586817
| CEO/President: |
Dr. Jay Alan Sekulow |
Tax Deductible: |
Yes |
| Chairman: |
Dr. M.G. "Pat" Robertson |
Fiscal Year End: |
March 31 |
| Board Size: |
8 |
Financial info from: |
990 |
| Founder: |
Dr. M.G. "Pat" Robertson |
Member of ECFA: |
No |
| Year Founded: |
1990 |
Member of ECFA since: |
|
The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) is a public interest law firm committed to insuring the ongoing viability of constitutional freedoms in accordance with principles of justice as outlined in Scripture. As a public interest law firm the ACLJ is dedicated to the concept that freedom and democracy are God given inalienable rights that must be protected both domestically and internationally.
The ACLJ engages in litigation, provides legal services, renders advice and counsels clients, and supports attorneys who are involved in defending the religious and civil liberties of Americans.
The American Center has a national network of attorneys who are committed to the defense of Judeo-Christian values. We also cooperate with other organizations that are committed to a similar mission, and serve the public through educational efforts regarding First Amendment and religious freedom issues as well as pro-family and pro-life concerns.
As a nonprofit organization that does not charge for its legal services, the American Center for Law and Justice is dependent upon God and the resources He provides through the time, talent, and gifts of people who share their concerns over the erosion of our religious and civil liberties
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Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]
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Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]
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In 1990, Dr. M.G. "Pat" Robertson, a Yale law school graduate, religious leader, entrepreneur, and concerned citizen, decided to act to undo the damage done by almost a century of liberal thinking and activism. He founded the American Center for Law and Justice.
The ACLJ, in just a few years, has become this nation's pre-eminent public interest law firm and educational organization dedicated to defending and advancing religious liberty, the sanctity of human life, and the two-parent, marriage-bound family.
From the U.S. Supreme Court to local school boards, lawyers of the ACLJ have been defending the rights of believers, standing up for the unborn, the elderly and the infirm, and reasserting the primary rights of parents and the centrality of the family.
Already the ACLJ has proven a formidable opponent to those who would seek to undermine these fundamental institutions of the American civilization. Here are just a few examples of how the American Center for Law and Justice has helped people who have had their religious or civil liberties attacked.
- When abortion supporters alleged that pro-life social protest was discrimination against women, the ACLJ went to the U.S. Supreme Court in Bray v. Alexandria Women's Health Clinic and guaranteed that persons opposed to abortion are free to express those views peacefully without the threat of censorship or recrimination through the misuse of federal anti-discrimination laws.
- When a school would not rent its facilities to a local church because of the religious content of the church's message, we went to the U.S. Supreme Court in Lamb's Chapel v. Center Moriches School District, and won the important right for religious groups to have equal access to public facilities.
- When students are told they cannot start Bible clubs in their schools, or when their Bible clubs don't receive equal treatment like other clubs, our legal teams spring into action to defend the student's rights.
These victories have been accomplished in spite of the intense opposition of groups like the American Civil Liberties Union(ACLU). They have openly named us as their adversary. So have People for the American Way, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Planned Parenthood and many other special-interest activist groups.
The hostility of these organizations is a backdoor compliment. It shows us that we are making progress. It means that we cannot, we must not, stop or slow down our efforts.
This organization has not offered MinistryWatch.com with specific needs to be posted on the profile. At such a time that MinistryWatch.com receives a response from the ministry, it will be posted immediately.
Research Analysis
Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]
| Transparency Grade of : A |
| Criteria category | Grade | Other Comments |
| Timeliness: | 100 | |
| Financial Information: | 100 | |
| Foundational Clarity: | | |
| Level of Cooperation: | | |
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MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]
| Ranking Category | Rating | Overall Rank | Advocacy Sector |
|---|
| Overall Efficiency Rating |      | 30 of 353 | 2 of 21 |
| Fund Acquisition Decision |      | 9 of 353 | 1 of 21 |
| Resource Allocation Decision |    | 140 of 353 | 7 of 21 |
| Asset Utilization Decision |     | 37 of 353 | 4 of 21 |
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This organization has not offered MinistryWatch.com with an official statement or response for their profile. This area is meant as a mechanism for the profiled ministry to communicate anything they may choose. It is open ended as to the topic, issues, facts or news to address. It is not negative if there is no official statement as many don’t have anything to add than what is already on the profile. This section is not tied to transparency or to communication in general. Many very open and talkative ministries with us choose not to post an official statement. This section is just an open ended offering to the profiled ministry for anything extra to say as they may choose.
| Funding Ratios | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
| Grants & Allocations | $0 | $0 | $2,781,000 | $2,553,000 | $0 |
| Specific Assistance to Individuals | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Benefits Paid To or For Members | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Compensation of Officers, Directors | $1,023,000 | $989,000 | $834,000 | $661,000 | $881,000 |
| Other Salaries, Wages | $3,380,000 | $2,669,000 | $2,189,000 | $1,694,000 | $2,107,000 |
| Pension Plan Contributions | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other Employee Benefits | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Payroll Taxes | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Professional Fundraising Fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | $37,000 | $104,000 |
| Accounting Fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Legal Fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Supplies | $87,000 | $100,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Telephone | $89,000 | $77,000 | $107,000 | $84,000 | $93,000 |
| Postage & Shipping | $41,000 | $40,000 | $41,000 | $783,000 | $1,010,000 |
| Occupancy | $75,000 | $76,000 | $97,000 | $84,000 | $110,000 |
| Equipment Rental & Maintenance | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Printing & Publications | $28,000 | $164,000 | $494,000 | $4,818,000 | $4,745,000 |
| Travel | $603,000 | $586,000 | $567,000 | $1,046,000 | $622,000 |
| Conferences, Conventions & Meetings | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Interest | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Depreciation, Depletion etc. | $57,000 | $65,000 | $58,000 | $67,000 | $68,000 |
| Other Expenses | $3,494,000 | $3,780,000 | $2,533,000 | $2,240,000 | $2,196,000 |
| Total Functional Expenses | $8,883,000 | $8,550,000 | $9,706,000 | $14,070,000 | $11,940,000 |