Nonprofit · EIN 75-1403169
FIRST LIBERTY INSTITUTE
Also known as FIRST LIBERTY
Tax-exempt · PLANO, TX 75075
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $29,330,476 | $26,422,108 | $2,908,368 | $25,253,403 | $3,419,859 | $21,833,544 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $22,142,341 | $24,763,979 | -$2,621,638 | $22,659,438 | $3,787,867 | $18,871,571 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $24,336,900 | $23,902,426 | $434,474 | $24,695,679 | $3,202,470 | $21,493,209 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $26,901,638
- Program service revenue
- $1,900,359
- Investment income
- $528,479
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $5,537
- Other revenue
- $0
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $154,918
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $1,655,730
- Other salaries and wages
- $9,517,665
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $13,583,275
- Professional fundraising fees
- $284,123
- Legal fees
- $693,210
- Accounting fees
- $35,393
- Occupancy
- $641,515
- Travel
- $1,308,191
- Depreciation
- $424,186
- Program services (functional)
- $20,770,458
- Management and general (functional)
- $2,588,115
- Fundraising (functional)
- $3,063,535
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $22,659,438
- Total assets, end of year
- $25,253,403
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $3,419,859
- Net assets, end of year
- $21,833,544
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $2,385,651
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $19,920,607
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $1,912,937
- Gross receipts
- $29,943,421
- Employees
- 113
- Volunteers
- 150
- Year formed
- 1972
- State of legal domicile
- TX
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KELLY SHACKELFORD | PRESIDENT/CEO Officer | 55 | $588,889 | $38,153 |
| DAVID HOLMES | COO/CFO/EVP Officer | 55 | $468,753 | $38,890 |
| JEFF MATEER | CLO/EVP Officer | 55 | $427,569 | $37,613 |
| HIRAM S SASSER | EXEC. GEN. COUNSEL Highest-paid employee | 55 | $300,905 | $31,124 |
| DAVID HACKER | VP LITIGATION/SR. COUNSEL Highest-paid employee | 55 | $284,965 | $34,236 |
| REBECCA DUMMERMUTH | COUNSEL Highest-paid employee | 55 | $258,186 | $29,353 |
| JEREMY DYS | SENIOR COUNSEL Highest-paid employee | 55 | $201,462 | $24,654 |
| STEVE PURDUM | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 55 | $196,067 | $17,218 |
| TIM DUNN | VICE CHAIR EXEC COMM/BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK COVER | CHAIR EXEC COMM/BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| AL ANGELL | EXEC COMM/BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMES ROBERTSON | EXEC COMM/BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAT CLINE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DEBORAH MUSE CARLSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DALE BROWN | EXEC COMM/BOARD MEMBER/SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
4 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN BARTLEY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PAT DANIELS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JODY THORNTON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DAVID MOORE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 19 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelly Shackelford | President/CEO Officer | 55 | $605,981 | $33,769 |
| David Holmes | COO/CFO/EVP Officer | 55 | $455,970 | $29,704 |
| Jeff Mateer | CLO/EVP Officer | 55 | $414,598 | $31,332 |
| Mike Berry | VP External Affairs/Sr. Counsel Highest-paid employee | 55 | $324,396 | $33,063 |
| Hiram S Sasser | Exec. Gen. Counsel Highest-paid employee | 55 | $292,848 | $28,386 |
| David Hacker | VP Litigation/Sr Counsel Highest-paid employee | 55 | $271,806 | $26,328 |
| Rebecca Dummermuth | Counsel Highest-paid employee | 55 | $251,234 | $17,440 |
| Justin Butterfield | Deputy General Counsel Highest-paid employee | 55 | $199,501 | $13,139 |
| Tim Dunn | Vice Chair Exec Comm, Board Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Mark Cover | Chair Exec Comm, Board Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Al Angell | Exec Comm, Board Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| James Robertson | Exec Comm, Board Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| David Tauber | Board Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Deborah Muse Carlson | Board Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Dale Brown | Exec Comm, Board, Secretary Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Jerry Brown | Board Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Paco Jordan | Board Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Jody Thornton | Board Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| David Moore | Board Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 19 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelly Shackelford | President/CEO Officer | 55 | $551,267 | $30,832 |
| David Holmes | COO/CFO/EVP Officer | 55 | $426,796 | $30,611 |
| Jeff Mateer | CLO/EVP Officer | 55 | $357,060 | $29,928 |
| Mike Berry | VP External Affairs/Sr. Counsel Highest-paid employee | 55 | $286,886 | $29,502 |
| Hiram S Sasser | Exec. Gen. Counsel Highest-paid employee | 55 | $276,269 | $27,286 |
| David Hacker | VP Litigation/Sr Counsel Highest-paid employee | 55 | $238,440 | $24,324 |
| Rebecca Dummermuth | Counsel Highest-paid employee | 55 | $239,257 | $13,409 |
| Jordan Pratt | Sr. Counsel Highest-paid employee | 55 | $193,905 | $18,712 |
| Tim Dunn | Vice Chair Exec Comm, Board Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Mark Cover | Chair Exec Comm, Board Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Al Angell | Exec Comm, Board Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| James Robertson | Exec Comm, Board Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| David Tauber | Board Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Deborah Muse Carlson | Board Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Dale Brown | Exec Comm, Board, Secretary Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Jerry Brown | Board Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Paco Jordan | Board Trustee or director | 0 | $0 | $0 |
| Jody Thornton | Board Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| David Moore | Board Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 2001 W PLANO PKWY, PLANO, TX 75075-8601
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- KELLY SHACKELFORD, 2001 W PLANO PARKWAY 1600, PLANO, TX 75075
- Signed the 990
- AUSTIN WAUGH, CFO
- Phone
- (972) 941-4444
- Website
- WWW.FIRSTLIBERTY.ORG
- Return prepared by
- SST ACCOUNTANTS & CONSULTANTS PLLC
Mission
FIRST LIBERTY INSTITUTE PROVIDES PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES TO ADVANCE AND DEFEND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY FOR INDIVIDUALS, CHURCHES, AND OTHER MINISTRIES AND ORGANIZATIONS.
Program accomplishments
- LEGAL: FIRST LIBERTY INSTITUTE (FLI) PROVIDES PRO-BONO LEGAL SERVICES TO ADVANCE AND DEFEND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY FOR INDIVIDUALS, CHURCHES, SYNAGOGUES, AND OTHER RELIGIOUS MINISTRIES. DURING 2024-2025 FLI REPRESENTED PLAINTIFFS IN 101 CASES AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS FILED THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, HELPING PROTECT THE RELIGIOUS LIBERTY OF INDIVIDUALS, CHURCHES, SYNAGOGUES, AND OTHER RELIGIOUS MINISTRIES.Expenses $10,501,268 · grants $10,000 · revenue $1,745,809
- EDUCATION: REACHING AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT KEY ISSUES AND LEGAL CASES THAT IMPACT THEIR RELIGIOUS LIBERTIES. THROUGH USE OF VIDEO, WEBSITES, SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, LETTERS, AND COLLATERAL MATERIALS, WE REACH TARGET AUDIENCES WITH IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND EMPOWER THEM TO TAKE ACTION.Expenses $10,269,190 · grants $144,918 · revenue $154,550
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
- 75-1403169
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1973
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Civil rights, social action and advocacy (R40Z)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $25,253,403
- Income (IRS master file)
- $29,943,421
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $29,330,476 | $26,422,108 | $25,253,403 | XML |
| 990 | June 2024 | $22,142,341 | $24,763,979 | $22,659,438 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2023 | $24,336,900 | $23,902,426 | $24,695,679 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | $25,974,312 | $19,847,586 | $21,241,603 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2020 | – | – | – | 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 75-1403169).
Questions about FIRST LIBERTY INSTITUTE
- What is the EIN of FIRST LIBERTY INSTITUTE?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of FIRST LIBERTY INSTITUTE is 75-1403169.
- Is FIRST LIBERTY INSTITUTE tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1973.
- Are donations to FIRST LIBERTY INSTITUTE tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does FIRST LIBERTY INSTITUTE 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 FIRST LIBERTY INSTITUTE 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 FIRST LIBERTY INSTITUTE 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 FIRST LIBERTY INSTITUTE?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names KELLY SHACKELFORD.
- Who are the officers and directors of FIRST LIBERTY INSTITUTE?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 19 people; 8 received compensation from the organization, the highest $588,889 (KELLY SHACKELFORD, PRESIDENT/CEO).
- How much revenue does FIRST LIBERTY INSTITUTE have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $29,330,476, expenses of $26,422,108 and total assets of $25,253,403 at year end.
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