Is it good to donate to the ACLU?

Asked by: Dr. Tyler Bednar I  |  Last update: January 30, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (1 votes)

The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) generally receives strong charity ratings, holding a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, an A from CharityWatch, and being a BBB Accredited Charity, indicating high financial health, accountability, and transparency, with significant funds going to programs like litigation and education. They consistently meet standards for efficient use of donations, with low administrative/fundraising costs relative to program spending, allowing donors to give with confidence.

What percent of ACLU donations go to charity?

Around 80-87% of ACLU donations directly fund programs like litigation, public education, and advocacy, with the remainder covering fundraising (around 12%) and administration (around 8%), according to their own figures and charity watchdog sites like CharityWatch and MoneyMinder. This efficiency consistently earns them high ratings from organizations like CharityWatch and Charity Navigator, placing them among well-run charities. 

Where do ACLU donations go?

Gifts made to the ACLU directly fund crucial litigation, communications and public education initiatives. You can directly contribute to the fight to defend our rights through membership, donations or the ACLU Foundation's tax-deductible initiatives.

How much of a donation actually goes to the charity?

The percentage of donations going directly to a charity's cause varies, but highly efficient charities spend 75% or more on programs, with less than 25% for overhead (admin/fundraising). Many well-known charities like Feeding America (98%), Red Cross (90%), and Doctors Without Borders (89%) aim for high percentages, but factors like mission complexity (e.g., disaster relief) and size affect these figures. 

What charity gives the highest percentage of donations to the cause?

Charities with the highest percentage of donations going to their cause often include Direct Relief, Good 360, and American Red Cross, sometimes reporting 100% efficiency, while others like Doctors Without Borders, The Nature Conservancy, and Feeding America consistently show high program spending (90%+), though exact figures vary by source and reporting year, highlighting organizations focusing heavily on direct aid or with high in-kind donations.
 

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40 related questions found

How much has Taylor Swift donated to charity?

Taylor Swift donates significant amounts to various causes, with recent examples including $1 million each to the American Heart Association and Feeding America in late 2025, $5 million to Feeding America for hurricane relief, and previously giving bonuses of over $50 million to her Eras Tour crew and truck drivers, plus direct donations to fans and charities like MusiCares and the Nashville Symphony. Her giving is often in response to crises or personal connections, supporting disaster relief, health, hunger, and fellow artists. 

Is ACLU a good place to donate?

Charity Navigator: The ACLU boasts a four-out-of-four-star Charity Navigator rating, outperforming most non-profits and exceeding industry standards.

What percentage of goodwill donations are thrown away?

While estimates vary, about 5-12% of total Goodwill donations end up in landfills, with the vast majority diverted for resale in stores, then outlets, or sent for textile recycling, although some sources suggest a higher percentage of clothes might be wasted or sent overseas, depending on the specific Goodwill organization and item quality. The primary reasons for items going to landfill are damage (mold, wetness, broken) or contamination, with Goodwill aiming for high diversion rates by reusing, repurposing, or recycling most items.
 

Does ACLU count as a charity?

The ACLU Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit corporation. Foundation gifts fund our litigation and public education efforts.

Is the ACLU Democrat or Republican?

The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) is officially a non-partisan organization that defends the Constitution and civil liberties for all people, not aligning with Democrats or Republicans, though its stances on issues often place it at odds with conservative policies and in alignment with progressive ones, leading to perceptions of bias from both sides, while its supporters contribute heavily to Democrats and some to Republicans, and the ACLU itself critiques abuses by both parties. 

Why is $19 a month so common?

Whether the organization supports shelter animals or children in need, that oddly specific figure usually comes up. There are several theories as to why the philanthropy world landed on this number, but the most likely explanation is the simplest: It's the highest amount the most people are willing to give.

How to stop donations to ACLU?

Visit our Contact form, choose “my monthly gift (Guardians of Liberty)” and either “pause my monthly gift for 3 months” or “cancel my monthly gift” from the dropdown menus, and send us a message. One of our donor relations associates will usually respond within 48 hours (excluding holidays and weekends).

Who is the CEO that pays everyone $70k?

The CEO famous for paying employees $70k is Dan Price, former CEO of Gravity Payments, who in 2015 cut his own salary from over $1 million to $70,000 to establish a $70k minimum wage for all his staff, leading to significant company growth, improved retention, and widespread recognition as a bold move for wage equity, though he later resigned amid personal legal issues.
 

How much does the CEO of Wounded Warrior make a year?

Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) CEO Michael S. Linnington's salary was around $500,000 for 2023 ($501,673) and slightly more in 2024 (around $511,000), though past reports indicate variations, with older figures from 2013 showing under $400,000 and some commentary mentioning a reported $280,000 in 2016. While specific figures vary by year and source, Linnington consistently earns over half a million dollars annually, with total compensation packages often including bonuses and incentives.
 

Is The Salvation Army a good charity?

The Salvation Army is generally considered a reputable charity by watchdog groups for its financial efficiency and extensive services (food, shelter, disaster relief) but faces criticism regarding its stances on LGBTQ+ issues and past labor practices, with opinions often split between its recognized charitable impact and its controversial history and policies, making it a "good" charity for some but not for others, depending on their values. 

How much does the CEO of Goodwill get paid?

Goodwill CEO salaries vary significantly because Goodwill is a network of 161 independent local organizations, not one single entity, but the CEO of Goodwill Industries International, Steven C. Preston, earned around $650,000 in recent years, while other local CEOs can earn much less, averaging from under $100k to over $300k, depending on the region's revenue, with some estimates showing national figures ranging widely. 

Why are people boycotting Goodwill?

People are boycotting Goodwill due to rising prices on donated goods, perceived lack of transparency about profits, concerns over low wages for disabled workers (despite high executive pay and revenue), and the practice of diverting high-value items to online sales rather than local stores, making them feel the charity aspect is diminishing as they become more "corporate". 

What percentage of St. Jude's donations go to charity?

St. Jude's states that 82 cents of every dollar received goes to support patient care and research, with the rest covering fundraising (13%) and administration (5%), though some analyses suggest closer to 50% of contributed funds went to patient care and research, with the remainder going to fundraising and building reserves, while insurance also covers significant treatment costs. St. Jude's primary funding comes from donations, and they cover all patient costs, but a large portion of revenue also comes from insurance reimbursements and grants. 

Which ACLU should I donate to?

You may make a contribution to either the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU Foundation or both. A contribution to either organization will be used to support, promote and defend civil liberties.

Does the ACLU support LGBTQ?

Yes, the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) strongly supports LGBTQ+ rights, working to end discrimination, ensure equal rights and protections, and promote freedom, dignity, and fair treatment for LGBTQ+ individuals through legal action, advocacy, and public education. They are actively fighting against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, particularly bills targeting transgender youth, and have a long history of defending LGBTQ+ rights, from early cases challenging censorship to securing marriage equality. 

What is the best human rights organization?

1 Amnesty International

Amnesty International is a global movement of more than seven million people who are independent of any type of political ideology, religion or economic interest and who take injustice personally. The movement campaigns for the world in which human rights are enjoyed by all.

What did Travis Kelce give Taylor for her birthday?

For Taylor Swift's 35th birthday in December 2024, Travis Kelce reportedly spent around $175,000 on luxury gifts, including a Rolex, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry, along with dozens of boxes of roses, to make her milestone birthday "special," though he's given other lavish presents for different occasions, like Christmas 2025. 

Who is the most charitable celebrity?

While exact rankings are difficult due to private giving, Oprah Winfrey is frequently cited as the most generous celebrity, having donated hundreds of millions through her foundation for education and women/children's causes, with Michael Jackson also noted for immense giving (over $500M). Other top contenders include J.K. Rowling (who gave away a fortune) and recent billionaires like Elon Musk, though Winfrey's consistent, long-term giving often places her at the top for overall impact.
 

Why are Swifties donating $13?

The Swiftie coalition known as Swifties for Hope on X tweeted out on Friday that fans are encouraged to donate $13 or whatever they can afford to support those affected by the potential cuts of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).