Nonprofit · EIN 54-1660459
ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM
Tax-exempt · SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $119,839,751 | $108,568,981 | $11,270,770 | $112,233,785 | $12,433,179 | $99,800,606 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $110,713,980 | $106,394,230 | $4,319,750 | $102,769,051 | $12,606,155 | $90,162,896 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $101,821,939 | $97,103,483 | $4,718,456 | $97,603,306 | $15,102,477 | $82,500,829 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $109,839,346
- Program service revenue
- $3,207,124
- Investment income
- $3,903,311
- Net rental income
- $52,565
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $1,794,058
- Other revenue
- $2,889,970
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $11,927,970
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $1,954,455
- Other salaries and wages
- $42,263,549
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $55,203,919
- Professional fundraising fees
- $1,677,500
- Legal fees
- $547,945
- Accounting fees
- $74,580
- Occupancy
- $4,926,846
- Travel
- $5,594,290
- Depreciation
- $2,802,165
- Program services (functional)
- $84,573,957
- Management and general (functional)
- $10,764,691
- Fundraising (functional)
- $13,230,333
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $102,769,051
- Total assets, end of year
- $112,233,785
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $12,433,179
- Net assets, end of year
- $99,800,606
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $37,909,480
- Publicly traded securities
- $34,586,592
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $95,600,246
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $4,200,360
- Gross receipts
- $144,207,578
- Employees
- 482
- Volunteers
- 217
- Year formed
- 1993
- State of legal domicile
- VA
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 June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KRISTEN WAGGONER | CEO, PRESIDENT & CHIEF COUNSEL Trustee or director, Officer | 60 | $584,869 | $37,875 |
| MICHAEL FARRIS | FORMER PRESIDENT AND CEO Former | 0 | $525,000 | $0 |
| JIM CAMPBELL | CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL Key employee | 50 | $370,542 | $37,103 |
| REBECCA EGGLESTON | EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT - PART YEAR Officer | 50 | $363,537 | $35,749 |
| JOHN BURSCH | VP OF APPELLATE ADVOCACY, SR COUNSEL Highest-paid employee | 50 | $312,710 | $36,190 |
| GRANT DAWSON | SVP OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Highest-paid employee | 50 | $306,967 | $27,227 |
| RYAN BANGERT | SVP OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES Highest-paid employee | 50 | $291,418 | $42,432 |
| LANCE BAUSLAUGH | SVP OF DEVELOPMENT Key employee | 50 | $295,379 | $35,969 |
| TIM CHANDLER | SR COUNSEL, VP OF CHURCH & MINISTRY ALLIANCE ENGA Highest-paid employee | 50 | $284,954 | $42,485 |
| JEREMY TEDESCO | SR COUNSEL, SVP CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT Highest-paid employee | 50 | $280,202 | $42,080 |
| MARK TJERNAGEL | EVP OF OPERATIONS - PART YEAR Officer | 50 | $45,316 | $2,523 |
| JOHN ROGERS | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 7 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK MADDOUX | SECRETARY/TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL WHITEHEAD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| SCOTT SCHARPEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
4 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LISA FULLERTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| CALEB ROBINSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| MICHAEL TREMAIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| KERRI KUPEC URBAHN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 20 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Farris | Former President and CEO Former | 0 | $864,014 | $16,533 |
| Kristen Waggoner | CEO, President & General Counsel Officer | 60 | $593,419 | $41,931 |
| Rebecca Eggleston | Executive Vice President Officer | 50 | $334,286 | $34,219 |
| John Bursch | VP of Appellate Advocacy, Sr. Counsel Highest-paid employee | 50 | $317,982 | $35,145 |
| James Campbell | Chief Legal Counsel Key employee | 50 | $305,604 | $33,621 |
| Tim Chandler | Sr. Counsel, VP of CMA Engagement & Strategic Projects Highest-paid employee | 50 | $294,414 | $40,632 |
| Lance Bauslaugh | SVP of Development Key employee | 50 | $279,649 | $39,948 |
| Wayne Swindler | Executive Director, ADF Foundation ( Part Year) Highest-paid employee | – | $272,174 | $39,035 |
| Ryan Bangert | SVP Strategic Initiatives & Special Counsel to the President Key employee | 50 | $266,701 | $40,037 |
| Don Ziel | SVP of Church and Ministry Alliance & Assistant General Counsel Highest-paid employee | 50 | $256,318 | $30,513 |
| Erin Hawley | Sr. Counsel, VP of Center for Life & Regulatory Practice Highest-paid employee | 50 | $272,673 | $10,890 |
| Jeffrey Ventrella | Former Sr. Counsel, SVP of Training Former | 0 | $233,279 | $13,766 |
| Glen Lavy | Former Corporate Counsel Former | 0 | $216,443 | $9,614 |
| Terry Schlossberg | Chairman ( Part Year) Trustee or director, Officer | 7 | $3,977 | $0 |
| John Rogers | Vice Chairman / Chairman as of June 2024 Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $3,272 | $0 |
| Michael Whitehead | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $2,782 | $0 |
| Scott Scharpen | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $2,263 | $0 |
| Lisa Fullerton | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $1,313 | $0 |
| Mark Maddoux | Secretary/Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| Paul Coleman | Executive Director, ADF International Key employee | – | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 22 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Farris (Part Year) | President through 09/2022, Counselor to President through 12/2022 Officer | 60 | $848,848 | $31,933 |
| Kristen Waggoner | CEO, President, & General Counsel Officer | 60 | $470,522 | $39,232 |
| Tony Johnson (Part Year) | SVP of Operations & Direct Response through 09/2022 Officer | 50 | $351,409 | $31,890 |
| Tim Chandler | Sr. Counsel, VP of CMA Engagement Key employee | 50 | $307,087 | $39,133 |
| Lance Bauslaugh | SVP of Development Key employee | 50 | $304,413 | $39,032 |
| John Bursch | VP of Appellate Advocacy, Sr. Counsel Highest-paid employee | 50 | $308,375 | $32,973 |
| Wayne Swindler | Executive Director, ADF Foundation Highest-paid employee | – | $300,629 | $32,973 |
| Rebecca Eggleston | Executive Vice President (Chief of Staff through 08/2022) Officer | 50 | $289,999 | $31,883 |
| Ryan Bangert | SVP Strategic Initiatives & Special Counsel to the President Highest-paid employee | 50 | $256,214 | $37,445 |
| Jeremy Tedesco | Sr. Counsel, SVP of Corporate Engagement Highest-paid employee | 50 | $245,753 | $34,668 |
| David Cortman | Sr. Counsel, VP of U.S. Litigation Highest-paid employee | 50 | $239,490 | $37,703 |
| Jeffrey Ventrella | Sr. Counsel, SVP of Training Former | 50 | $239,055 | $30,604 |
| Glen Lavy | Corporate Counsel through 03/2023 Former | 50 | $213,495 | $28,282 |
| John Rogers | Vice Chairman (as of 06/2023) Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Mark Maddoux | Secretary/Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| Terry Schlossberg | Chairman Trustee or director, Officer | 8 | $0 | $0 |
| Gary Smith | Director (Part Year) Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Lisa Fullerton | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Michael Whitehead | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Ruth Ross | Director (Part Year) Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Scott Scharpen | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Seth Morgan | Vice Chairman (Part Year) Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 15100 N 90TH ST, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260-2769
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- KRISTEN WAGGONER, 15100 NORTH 90TH STREET, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260
- Signed the 990
- MARK TJERNAGEL, EXECUTIVE VP OF OPERATIONS
- Phone
- (480) 444-0020
- Website
- WWW.ADFLEGAL.ORG
- Return prepared by
- LANDMARK PLC CPAS
Mission
ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM EXISTS TO KEEP THE DOOR OPEN FOR THE GOSPEL BY ADVANCING EVERY PERSON'S GOD-GIVEN RIGHT TO LIVE AND SPEAK THE TRUTH. WE CONTEND FOR THE TRUTH IN LAW, POLICY, AND THE PUBLIC SQUARE, AND EQUIP THE ALLIANCE TO DO THE SAME.
Program accomplishments
- LEGAL ADVOCACY: ADF IS A GLOBAL RELIGIOUS LEGAL ORGANIZATION THAT CONTENDS FOR TRUTH IN LAW, POLICY, AND THE PUBLIC SQUARE BY ENGAGING IN LITIGATION AND ADVOCACY ADVANCING FREE SPEECH, RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, PARENTAL RIGHTS, AND THE SANCTITY OF LIFE AND MARRIAGE. ADF OFFERS EXPERTISE IN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AND INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL LEGAL SYSTEMS. FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATORS HAVE SOUGHT ADF'S COUNSEL, INVITING ADF ATTORNEYS TO TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESS AND STATE LEGISLATURES. ADF'S IMPACT IS ALSO BEING FELT IN CORPORATE AMERICA, AS ADF ATTORNEYS PROMOTE AN ETHIC OF FREE SPEECH, RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, AND HUMAN DIGNITY IN THE CORPORATE SPHERE. ADF ALSO PROVIDES GRANTS TO SUPPORT OUR NETWORK ATTORNEYS WORKING ON MATTERS ALIGNED WITH ADF'S STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES.Expenses $41,333,531 · grants $10,573,070 · revenue $2,691,250
- ALLIED SUPPORT AND TRAINING: ADF SEEKS TO CULTIVATE ALLIES ACROSS MULTIPLE PROFESSIONS WHO CONTEND FOR TRUTH IN LAW, POLICY, AND THE PUBLIC SQUARE. ADF PROVIDES TRAINING, EDUCATION, EVENTS, AMICUS CURIAE OPPORTUNITIES, AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE INITIATIVES SO THAT ADF'S MISSION CAN BE MULTIPLIED THROUGH A COMMITTED COMMUNITY.Expenses $26,096,273 · grants $1,354,900 · revenue $1,924,274
- EDUCATION: AS A LEGAL ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION, ADF SEEKS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING THE FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS WITHIN ITS MISSION. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A VARIETY OF CHANNELS, INCLUDING PUBLIC SPEAKING; DIGITAL, ELECTRONIC, AND PRINT RESOURCES; SOCIAL MEDIA; EVENTS; AND A COMPREHENSIVE WEBSITE. KEY EXAMPLES INCLUDE A PARENTAL RIGHTS TOOLKIT TO HELP PARENTS KNOW THEIR RIGHTS AND A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE ENTITLED FAITH & JUSTICE. THESE AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES INCREASE AWARENESS ABOUT KEY CULTURAL AND LEGAL ISSUES OF THE DAY, WHILE SERVING TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL ADF ALLIES.Expenses $17,144,153 · revenue $1,282,850
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 June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 54-1660459
- 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)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1993
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Civil rights, social action and advocacy (R600)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $112,233,785
- Income (IRS master file)
- $144,207,578
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $119,839,751 | $108,568,981 | $112,233,785 | XML |
| 990 | June 2024 | $110,713,980 | $106,394,230 | $102,769,051 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2023 | $101,821,939 | $97,103,483 | $97,603,306 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | $104,490,113 | $81,311,475 | $85,085,772 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 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 54-1660459).
Questions about ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM
- What is the EIN of ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM is 54-1660459.
- Is ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1993.
- Are donations to ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM 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 ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names KRISTEN WAGGONER.
- Who are the officers and directors of ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 19 people; 11 received compensation from the organization, the highest $584,869 (KRISTEN WAGGONER, CEO, PRESIDENT & CHIEF COUNSEL).
- How much revenue does ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $119,839,751, expenses of $108,568,981 and total assets of $112,233,785 at year end.
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