Nonprofit · EIN 53-0184647
AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE INC
Tax-exempt · WASHINGTON, DC 20005
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2025 | 990 | $18,643,216 | $15,534,455 | $3,108,761 | $33,551,408 | $2,527,283 | $31,024,125 |
| September 30, 2024 | 990 | $13,660,155 | $13,401,218 | $258,937 | $29,504,583 | $3,360,353 | $26,144,230 |
| September 30, 2023 | 990 | $17,931,693 | $11,715,310 | $6,216,383 | $27,078,448 | $4,504,977 | $22,573,471 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $17,912,030
- Program service revenue
- $28,369
- Investment income
- $632,023
- Net gain from sales of assets
- -$3,691
- Other revenue
- $70,794
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $21,546
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $906,239
- Other salaries and wages
- $5,356,633
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $7,603,100
- Professional fundraising fees
- $308,850
- Accounting fees
- $38,210
- Occupancy
- $476,025
- Travel
- $217,589
- Depreciation
- $143,753
- Program services (functional)
- $10,328,525
- Management and general (functional)
- $2,133,490
- Fundraising (functional)
- $3,072,440
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $29,504,583
- Total assets, end of year
- $33,551,408
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $2,527,283
- Net assets, end of year
- $31,024,125
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $247,568
- Publicly traded securities
- $25,557,430
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $29,204,432
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $1,819,693
- Gross receipts
- $20,320,412
- Employees
- 53
- Volunteers
- 0
- Year formed
- 1948
- State of legal domicile
- DC
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RACHEL LASER | PRESIDENT AND CEO Officer | 40 | $294,265 | $13,202 |
| ALEXANDER LUCHENITSER | ASSOCIATE LEGAL DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $196,264 | $43,457 |
| DENA SHER | ASSOCIATE VP OF PUBLIC POLICY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $189,016 | $44,620 |
| CYNTHIA HESS | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Officer | 40 | $195,067 | $32,474 |
| ELENA QUEVEDO | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $197,769 | $24,493 |
| BRIAN SILVA | VICE PRESIDENT FOR STATE OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $184,598 | $28,730 |
| SHEILA ROWE | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Officer | 40 | $149,024 | $36,635 |
| ANDREW SEIDEL | VP STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS Key employee | 40 | $169,625 | $15,947 |
| KATHLEEN DUIS | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $168,456 | $6,870 |
| AMY NORR ESQ | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| REV DR BRIAN KAYLOR | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DWAYNE LESLIE ESQ | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHUCK TAYLOR ESQ | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAPHNE LAZAR PRICE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARA KEISLING | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
7 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAM WEISMAN PHD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| REV TRACI BLACKMON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| REV DERRICK HARKINS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SARA IMERSHEIN MD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KATHERINE STEWART | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| EDDIE TABASH ESQ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| REV DOUG AVILESBERNAL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2024: 22 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RACHEL LASER | PRESIDENT AND CEO Officer | 40 | $278,783 | $16,210 |
| RICHARD KATSKEE | FORMER VP & LEGAL DIRECTOR Key employee | 40 | $208,616 | $17,508 |
| MARGARET GARRETT | VP FOR PUBLIC POLICY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $205,555 | $19,486 |
| ALEXANDER LUCHENITSER | ASSOCIATE VP & ASSOCIATE LEGAL DIR. Highest-paid employee | 40 | $174,819 | $42,694 |
| CYNTHIA HESS | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Officer | 40 | $183,954 | $32,117 |
| DENA SHER | ASSOCIATE VP OF PUBLIC POLICY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $172,774 | $42,827 |
| KENNETH UPTON | SENIOR LITIGATION COUNSEL Highest-paid employee | 40 | $173,322 | $23,287 |
| ANDREW SEIDEL | VP STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS Key employee | 40 | $165,564 | $19,806 |
| KATHLEEN DUIS | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $167,068 | $8,730 |
| SHEILA ROWE | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Officer | 40 | $75,272 | $13,947 |
| AMY NORR ESQ | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| REV DR BRIAN KAYLOR | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DWAYNE LESLIE ESQ | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHUCK TAYLOR ESQ | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAPHNE LAZAR PRICE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARA KEISLING | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SAM K WEISMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| REV TRACI BLACKMON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| REV DERRICK HARKINS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SARA IMERSHEIN MD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHERINE STEWART | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| EDDIE TABASH ESQ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2023: 22 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RACHEL LASER | PRESIDENT AND CEO Officer | 40 | $255,538 | $66,538 |
| RICHARD KATSKEE | VICE PRESIDENT & LEGAL DIRECTOR Key employee | 40 | $208,604 | $55,824 |
| MARGARET GARRETT | VP FOR PUBLIC POLICY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $198,969 | $33,909 |
| ALEXANDER LUCHENITSER | ASSOCIATE VP & ASSOCIATE LEGAL DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $173,527 | $51,325 |
| VICKIE SEVENER | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $184,350 | $28,743 |
| KENNETH UPTON | SENIOR LITIGATION COUNSEL Highest-paid employee | 40 | $168,660 | $35,468 |
| KATHLEEN DUIS | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $161,454 | $18,051 |
| MICHAEL SMOOT | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer | 40 | $132,145 | $45,800 |
| CYNTHIA HESS | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Officer | 40 | $138,508 | $23,115 |
| JIM WINKLER | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHELE SHELLY HENRY ESQ | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TERESA BLAXTON PHD | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| REV DR BRIAN KAYLOR | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MURALI BALAJI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NANCY FRIEDMAN ESQ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARA KEISLING | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DWAYNE LESLIE ESQ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAPHNE LAZAR PRICE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| AMY NORR ESQ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON STEWART | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHUCK TAYLOR ESQ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SAM K WEISMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1310 L ST NW STE 200, WASHINGTON, DC 20005-4563
- Mailing address (990-N for 2020)
- 1229 E Claire Dr, PHOENIX AZ 85022
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- RACHEL LASER, 1310 L STREET NW 200, WASHINGTON, DC 20005
- Principal officer (990-N for 2020)
- Jennifer June White, 1229 E Claire Dr, PHOENIX AZ 85022
- Signed the 990
- RACHEL LASER, PRESIDENT AND CEO
- Phone
- (202) 466-3234
- Website
- WWW.AU.ORG
- Return prepared by
- MULLEN SONDBERG WIMBISH & STONE PA
Mission
AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE IS A NONPARTISAN EDUCATIONAL AND ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO ADVANCING THE SEPARATION OF RELIGION AND GOVERNMENT AS THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE FREEDOM OF RELIGION, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO BELIEVE OR NOT BELIEVE, FOR ALL.
Program accomplishments
- EDUCATIONAL AND PUBLICATION DIVISION: PROVIDE BOTH PRINT AND ELECTRONIC EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC REGARDING THE CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLE OF SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.Expenses $5,105,821 · revenue $1,996
- FIELD SERVICES DIVISION: MAINTAIN CLOSE CONTACT WITH VARIOUS GOVERNMENT LEADERS AND FAITH LEADERS NATIONWIDE. ALERT MEMBERS TO PROPOSED LEGISLATION ON CHURCH-STATE SEPARATION ISSUES.Expenses $2,728,849 · grants $21,546 · revenue $52,835
- LEGAL DIVISION: LEGAL EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE DEFENSE OF THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.Expenses $1,798,355 · revenue $26,373
- LEGAL PROGRAMS AND NETWORKS: BRING TOGETHER LAW STUDENTS WORKING AS SUMMER LEGAL INTERNS AT THE ORGANIZATION AND OTHER LEADING NONPROFIT LITIGATION GROUPS. THE LEGAL ACADEMY WILL FOCUS ON USING HIGH-IMPACT LITIGATION TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF MARGINALIZED PEOPLE. THE PROGRAM REPRESENTS THE ORGANIZATION'S COLLECTIVE COMMITMENT TO CULTIVATE A NEW GENERATION OF LEADERS WHO CAN SHAPE THE LAW INTO THE FUTURE. THE LEGAL ACADEMY WILL TEACH HARD LITIGATING SKILLS, PHILOSOPHY AND STRATEGY, AND THROUGH ITS CONTINUING EDUCATION AND ALUMNI NETWORKS, IT WILL ALSO FORGE A MULTI-GENERATIONAL COMMUNITY TO BOLSTER UPCOMING LEADERS.Expenses $645,398
- TRUSTEE AND NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCILE MEETINGS - TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION.Expenses $50,102
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 30, 2026 | February 16, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | September 30, 2025 | February 17, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | September 30, 2024 | February 18, 2025 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 53-0184647
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Group exemption
- Exempt since
- 2000
- Accounting year ends
- September
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Civil rights, social action and advocacy (R40)
- Group exemption
- 3585 (12 member organizations)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $33,551,408
- Income (IRS master file)
- $20,320,412
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | September 2025 | $18,643,216 | $15,534,455 | $33,551,408 | XML |
| 990 | September 2024 | $13,660,155 | $13,401,218 | $29,504,583 | XML |
| 990 | September 2023 | $17,931,693 | $11,715,310 | $27,078,448 | XML |
| 990 | September 2022 | $11,862,561 | $10,340,274 | $21,019,553 | IRS |
| 990-N for 2020 Officer: Jennifer June White | September 30, 2021 | ≤ $50,000 receipts | – | – | e-Postcard |
| 990 | September 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-N for 2017 Officer: Jennifer White | September 30, 2018 | ≤ $50,000 receipts | – | – | e-Postcard |
| 990 | September 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 53-0184647).
Questions about AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE INC
- What is the EIN of AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE INC is 53-0184647.
- Is AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2000.
- Are donations to AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Group exemption).
- Which annual return does AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE INC file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE INC due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended September 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE INC?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names RACHEL LASER.
- Who are the officers and directors of AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE INC?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 22 people; 9 received compensation from the organization, the highest $294,265 (RACHEL LASER, PRESIDENT AND CEO).
- How much revenue does AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $18,643,216, expenses of $15,534,455 and total assets of $33,551,408 at year end.
Organizations in its group exemption (12)
- AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE EIN 76-0614993 · HOUSTON, TX · last filed 990-N for 2025
- AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE EIN 22-3963647 · SAN ANTONIO, TX · last filed 990-N for 2025
- AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE EIN 45-3988961 · AUGUSTA, GA · last filed 990-N for 2024
- AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE EIN 43-1882014 · SAINT LOUIS, MO · last filed 990-N for 2024
- AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE EIN 82-0730063 · PALM COAST, FL · last filed 990-N for 2024
- AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE EIN 20-2053158 · FOUNTAIN VLY, CA · last filed 990-N for 2025
- AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE EIN 22-2316695 · HENRIETTA, NY · last filed 990-N for 2023
- AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE EIN 84-1702413 · MIDDLEBURG, FL · last filed 990-N for 2024
- JOIN US FOR JUSTICE F/K/A DO THE RIGHT THING INC EIN 46-0814927 · EL PASO, TX · last filed 990-N for 2025
- AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE EIN 62-1858039 · NASHVILLE, TN · last filed 990-N for 2024
- AMERICAN UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE EIN 34-2020245 · WINSTON SALEM, NC · last filed 990-N for 2023
- AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE EIN 01-0654175 · NAPLES, FL · last filed 990-N for 2024
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