Freedom from Religion Foundation
Freedom from Religion Foundation reported $15.4 million in revenue and $10.8 million in expenses for calendar year 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $82.97 went to program services, $5.85 to management and general costs and $11.18 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 92.5% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $214,221 (LEGAL DIRECTOR). 12 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 151% between 2019 and 2025. Source: Form 990, 2025.
Where $100 of spending went
Calendar year 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $11MFor context, the median across 300 covered religion-related charities: $88.67 programs, $9.31 management, $2.02 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
Calendar year 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $15MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | 2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 83.0% | 86.0% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 5.9% | 9.0% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 11.2% | 2.0% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.09 | $0.03 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 92.5% | 83.4% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 0.8% | 2.4% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $214,221 | $274,425 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 1.98% | 1.45% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 12 | 4 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 35.1 | 13.3 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 8 of 10 | 91.7% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseLawsuits challenging unconstitutional entanglements of religion and government, government endorsement or promotion of religion. Ffrf filed 6 new lawsuits, including one in state court in illinois, where, barely a month after filing a challenge of a ten commandments monument on courthouse property, the case was favorably settled when jefferson county removed the monolith. Five new challenges of state laws requiring posting of the ten commandments were filed with a coalition representing a variety of religious and nonreligious plaintiffs, including two in arkansas federal court and three in…
Educational events, awards. Ffrf topped more than 42,000 members, and held its 48th annual national convention in myrtle beach, s.c., with more than 500 attendees representing most states. Ffrf also co-hosted the scopes trial centennial conference in tennessee attracting about 250 participants. Legal and legislative staff spoke at 21 events, involving chapters and diverse conferences, and co-presidents spoke or debated at 10 events including in peru, paraguay, georgia, ohio, tennessee and new york. Ffrf awarded about $139,000 in essay contest scholarships to 80 student winners; tuition…
Publishing, broadcasting, and educational outreach. Ffrf published 10 issues of freethought today newspaper; broadcast weekly editions of freethought radio on radio stations in 10 states, with podcasts reaching more than 2 million downloads since beginning in 2006. Produced 20 final episodes of "freethought matters" tv show, which aired weekly in 6 major cities and on youtube. Aired "ffrf's ask an atheist"/"secular spotlight" regularly on youtube. Produced a monthly "we dissent" podcast with other secular organizations showcasing secular women attorneys. Maintained ffrf's website with legal…
Highest reported compensation
2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEGAL DIRECTOR Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $154,177 | $0 | $60,044 | $214,221 |
| DEPUTY LEGAL DIRECTOR Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $142,436 | $0 | $40,398 | $182,834 |
| SENIOR LITIGATION COUNSEL Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $137,778 | $0 | $24,253 | $162,031 |
| CO-PRESIDENT Director/trustee, officer, 50.00 hrs/week | $104,783 | $0 | $35,728 | $140,511 |
| CO-PRESIDENT Director/trustee, officer, 50.00 hrs/week | $104,403 | $0 | $35,278 | $139,681 |
| GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $122,168 | $0 | $14,589 | $136,757 |
| DIRECTOR OF PR AND MARKETING Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $122,216 | $0 | $7,888 | $130,104 |
12 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Freedom from Religion Foundation (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $280K (Part IX, line 5).
7 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
2025 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b10 · 8 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aYes
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2Yes
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4Yes
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18No
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bYes
- Employees Part I, line 551
- Volunteers Part I, line 679
Private foundation grants it received
30 private foundations reported grants to Freedom from Religion Foundation totaling $266K on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from Freedom from Religion Foundation's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Freedom from Religion Foundation, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Freedom from Religion Foundation spent in 2025, $82.97 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
Embed on your site
Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Three Angels Broadcasting NetworkWest Frankfort, IL · revenue $15M · programs 79.6% · 2024
- USATransformSouthlake, TX · revenue $15M · programs 95.0% · 2024
- Community Bible StudyColorado Springs, CO · revenue $15M · programs 92.0% · FY2025
- Eretz Hachaim USBrooklyn, NY · revenue $15M · programs 84.1% · FY2025
- Back 2 Back MinistriesMason, OH · revenue $15M · programs 85.1% · 2025
All religion-related charities · Largest charities in Wisconsin
Questions people ask
How much of Freedom from Religion Foundation's spending goes to programs?
In calendar year 2025, Freedom from Religion Foundation reported that 83.0% of its $10.8 million in expenses went to program services, 5.9% to management and general and 11.2% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Freedom from Religion Foundation pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Freedom from Religion Foundation reported for one person in calendar year 2025 was $214,221, for the role of LEGAL DIRECTOR (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Freedom from Religion Foundation get its money?
Of $15.4 million in revenue in calendar year 2025, 92.5% came from contributions and grants and 0.8% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Freedom from Religion Foundation a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 39-1302520 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- 2025: Form 990 for calendar year 2025, object 202612319349301716 · read the filing · XML
- 2024: Form 990 for calendar year 2024, object 202512469349300631 · read the filing
- 2023: Form 990 for calendar year 2023, object 202422539349301322 · read the filing
- 2022: Form 990 for calendar year 2022, object 202342989349300644 · read the filing
- 2021: Form 990 for calendar year 2021, object 202221939349300502 · read the filing
- 2020: Form 990 for calendar year 2020, object 202132929349301308 · read the filing
- 2019: Form 990 for calendar year 2019, object 202031969349302208 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 39-1302520: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.