Fact Check: The ACLU Has Not Received $10.3 million from Government Grants.

Factitious claim by Chinese government-controlled entity are not reflected by records of funding rewards or the ACLU's IRS filings

Claim:

The ACLU receives “$10.3 million” in “government grants.”

Rating:

False. GBTimes, which has content “controlled by the Chinese government” and is known for its “promotion of pro-state propaganda,” provided no sources to corroborate this claim.

While GBTimes claims that the Legal Services Corporation and the Bureau of Justice Assistance are funding sources for the ACLU, this is not reflected in either entity's funding awards.

The ACLU’s Form 990s from April 1, 2011, to the present also directly refutes this claim by showing the ACLU received no funding from “government grants.”

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An 𝕏 user shared a post (archived) claiming, “‘Government Grants: $10.3 million (7% of total contributions and grants)’” in relation to the ACLU.

Another 𝕏 user also shared a post (archived) with a screenshot from a webpage promoting this claim.

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Context:

The article (archived) referenced for the claim is published by GBTimes. The article claims the ACLU received $10.3 million from “government grants.”

GBTimes claims the ACLU's primary “government grant” funding is via the Legal Services Corporation and the Bureau of Justice Assistance. GBTimes does not provide sources for these assertions.

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Examining the Alleged Funding

Legal Services Corporation (LSC)

On July 25, 1974, President Richard M. Nixon signed (archived) the Legal Services Corporation Act (archived), which created the Legal Services Corporation. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) operates as an independent 501(c)(3) (archived). The “LSC currently provides funding to 130 independent non-profit legal aid programs” (archived).

The ACLU is not among the 130 non-profits that receive funding from the LSC. All 130 non-profits are listed in the Appendix L.

Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is an Office within the U.S. Department of Justice (archived). The BJA primarily provides grant funding via the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program and competitive and formula grants (archived).

Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program

The JAG Program states it provides funding to “states, tribes, and local governments” (archived). Notably, the ACLU would not qualify in the category of “states, tribes, and local governments” and is thus ineligible for JAG Program funding.

Funding Awards By The BJA

Of the $22,077,929,437 awarded in 45,228 awards by the BJA, none of the recipients listed include the “American Civil Liberties Union” or “ACLU” (archived). Thus, the ACLU is not a known recipient of funds from the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

Thus, the ACLU is not a recipient of grant funds from either the Legal Services Corporation or the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

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ACLU Financial Information

The financial information for the ACLU is publicly available here (archived).

ACLU statement

On its financial info page (archived), the ACLU states, “We do not receive any government funding. Our work is supported by member dues as well as contributions and grants from private foundations and individuals.”

IRS Form 990s

From April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, the ACLU reported receiving $0 from government grants (archive).

This is consistent with the ACLU’s other Form 990s, which cover every year since April 1, 2011, and are attached in the appendices.

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What is GBTimes?

GB Times describes itself on 𝕏 as “Media house. We are an international team of journalists delivering news, features, analysis & discussions on #UnknownChina 🐼” (archived).

The GBTimes LinkedIn’s “About Us” page (archived) states, “gbtimes is a full service international media company, registered and headquartered in Finland, the gate between East and West. We aim to provide the world with the most comprehensive information about China while introducing the world to China. Our services are based on the needs of our increasingly expanding global audience.”

Media Bias / Fact Check has noted that “the content for GB Times is controlled by the Chinese government” (archived). GBTimes was also rated “mixed for factual reporting due to the promotion of pro-state propaganda” (archived).

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Source:

1. Malone, Sean W. [@CitizenAmedia] (December 4, 2024). “Not so, actually. ‘Government Grants: $10.3 million (7% of total contributions and grants)’ https://gbtimes.com/who-funds-the-aclu/#about… But yes, most of their funding comes from big private foundations. Either way, it is a wreck of an organization now.” (Tweet). Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024 – via Twitter.

2. Nelson, Matthew [@MatthewUSAF] (December 6, 2024). “Wrong. 🤡” (Tweet). Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024 – via Twitter.

3. “Who funds the aclu?”. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024 – via gbtimes.com. April 25, 2024. “Government Grants: $10.3 million (7% of total contributions and grants).”

4. “About LSC”. Archived from the original on November 28, 2024. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024 – via lsc.gov. “Established in 1974, LSC operates as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that promotes equal access to justice and provides grants for high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans. LSC distributes more than 90% of its funding to 130 independent nonprofit legal aid programs with more than 890 offices.”

5. “Our History”. Archived from the original on November 28, 2024. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2024 – via lsc.gov. “On July 25, 1974, President Richard M. Nixon signed the law creating the Legal Services Corporation.”

6. Legal Services Corporation Act (July 25, 1974). “Title X - Legal Services Corporation Act”. Archived from the original on November 27, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024 – via govinfo.gov.

7. “Our Grantees”. Archived from the original on November 28, 2024. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024 – via lsc.gov. “LSC currently provides funding to 130 independent non-profit legal aid programs in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories.”

8. “Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)”. Archived from the original on December 2, 2024. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024 – via www.ojp.gov. “BJA strengthens the Nation’s criminal justice system and helps America’s state, local, and tribal jurisdictions reduce and prevent crime, reduce recidivism, and promote a fair and safe criminal justice system. BJA focuses its programmatic and policy efforts on providing a wide range of resources, including training and technical assistance, to law enforcement, courts, corrections, treatment, reentry, justice information sharing, and community-based partners to address chronic and emerging criminal justice challenges nationwide.”

9. “About the Bureau of Justice Assistance”. Archived from the original on November 27, 2024. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024 – via bja.ojp.gov. “Through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions, BJA provides critical support through formula-based grants. Visit the JAG Program page for further information. In addition, BJA issues dozens of solicitations every year for competitive and formula grant applications in the focus areas listed above. To learn more about BJA funding, visit Funding & Awards.”

10. “Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program”. Archived from the original on November 29, 2024. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024 – via bja.ojp.gov.

11. “Funding Awards”. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024 – via bja.ojp.gov.

12. GBTIMES on Linkedin. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024.

13. GBTIMES on 𝕏. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024.

14. “GBTimes – Bias and Credibility”. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024 – via mediabiasfactcheck.com. “content is controlled by the Chinese government […] the promotion of pro-state propaganda.”

15. “Financial Info”. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024 – via aclu.org.

16. American Civil Liberties Union. (2023). Return of organization exempt from income tax [Form 990]. New York, New York. Retrieved from aclu.org. Archived from the original on November 23, 2024.

17. American Civil Liberties Union. (2022). Return of organization exempt from income tax [Form 990]. New York, New York. Retrieved from aclu.org. Archived from the original on November 27, 2024.

18. American Civil Liberties Union. (2021). Return of organization exempt from income tax [Form 990]. New York, New York. Retrieved from aclu.org. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024.

19. American Civil Liberties Union. (2020). Return of organization exempt from income tax [Form 990]. New York, New York. Retrieved from aclu.org. Archived from the original on November 22, 2024.

20. American Civil Liberties Union. (2019). Return of organization exempt from income tax [Form 990]. New York, New York. Retrieved from aclu.org. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024.

21. American Civil Liberties Union. (2018). Return of organization exempt from income tax [Form 990]. New York, New York. Retrieved from aclu.org. Archived from the original on November 24, 2024.

22. American Civil Liberties Union. (2017). Return of organization exempt from income tax [Form 990]. New York, New York. Retrieved from aclu.org. Archived from the original on November 23, 2024.

23. American Civil Liberties Union. (2016). Return of organization exempt from income tax [Form 990]. New York, New York. Retrieved from aclu.org. Archived from the original on November 22, 2024.

24. American Civil Liberties Union. (2015). Return of organization exempt from income tax [Form 990]. New York, New York. Retrieved from aclu.org. Archived from the original on September 19, 2024.

25. American Civil Liberties Union. (2014). Return of organization exempt from income tax [Form 990]. New York, New York. Retrieved from aclu.org. Archived from the original on November 25, 2024.

26. American Civil Liberties Union. (2013). Return of organization exempt from income tax [Form 990]. New York, New York. Retrieved from aclu.org. Archived from the original on September 19, 2024.

27. American Civil Liberties Union. (2012). Return of organization exempt from income tax [Form 990]. New York, New York. Retrieved from aclu.org. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024.

28. “Financial Info”. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024 – via aclu.org.

Appendices

Appendix A: ACLU Year ending March 31, 2022 (2021 Form 990)

From April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, the ACLU reported receiving $0 from government grants (archive).

Appendix B: ACLU Year ending March 31, 2021 (2020 Form 990)

From April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, the ACLU reported receiving $0 from government grants (archived).

Appendix C: ACLU Year ending March 31, 2020 (2019 Form 990)

From April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020, the ACLU reported receiving $0 from government grants (archived).

Appendix D: ACLU Year ending March 31, 2019 (2018 Form 990)

From April 1, 2018, to March 31, 2019, the ACLU reported receiving $0 from government grants (archived).

Appendix E: ACLU Year ending March 31, 2018 (2017 Form 990)

From April 1, 2017, to March 31, 2018, the ACLU reported receiving $0 from government grants (archived).

Appendix F: ACLU Year ending March 31, 2017 (2016 Form 990)

From April 1, 2016, to March 31, 2017, the ACLU reported receiving $0 from government grants (archived).

Appendix G: ACLU Year ending March 31, 2016 (2015 Form 990)

From April 1, 2015, to March 31, 2016, the ACLU reported receiving $0 from government grants (archived).

Appendix H: ACLU Year ending March 31, 2015 (2014 Form 990)

From April 1, 2014, to March 31, 2015, the ACLU reported receiving $0 from government grants (archived).

Appendix I: ACLU Year ending March 31, 2014 (2013 Form 990)

From April 1, 2013, to March 31, 2014, the ACLU reported receiving $0 from government grants (archived).

Appendix J: ACLU Year ending March 31, 2013 (2012 Form 990)

From April 1, 2012, to March 31, 2013, the ACLU reported receiving $0 from government grants (archived).

Appendix K: ACLU Year ending March 31, 2012 (2011 Form 990)

From April 1, 2011, to March 31, 2012, the ACLU reported receiving $0 from government grants (archived).

Appendix L: Non-Profit Legal Aid Programs Receiving Funding from the Legal Services Corporation (Arranged in Alphabetical Order)

1. 603 Legal Aid

2. Acadiana Legal Service Corporation

3. Alaska Legal Services Corporation

4. American Samoa Legal Aid

5. Anishinabe Legal Services, Inc.

6. Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky

7. Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc.

8. Bay Area Legal Aid

9. Bay Area Legal Services, Inc.

10. Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc.

11. California Indian Legal Services, Inc.

12. California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.

13. Center for Arkansas Legal Services

14. Central California Legal Services

15. Central Jersey Legal Services, Inc.

16. Central Minnesota Legal Services, Inc.

17. Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, Inc.

18. Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, Inc.

19. Colorado Legal Services

20. Community Law Office, Inc.

21. Community Legal Aid Services, Inc.

22. Community Legal Aid SoCal

23. Community Legal Aid, Inc.

24. Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Inc.

25. Community Legal Services, Inc.

26. Dakota Plains Legal Services, Inc.

27. DNA-Peoples Legal Services, Inc.

28. East River Legal Services

29. Essex-Newark Legal Services Project, Inc.

30. Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc.

31. Georgia Legal Services Program

32. Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Inc.

33. Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc.

34. Indiana Legal Services, Inc.

35. Inland Counties Legal Services, Inc.

36. Iowa Legal Aid

37. Judicare Legal Aid

38. Kansas Legal Services, Inc.

39. Kentucky Legal Aid

40. Lakeshore Legal Aid

41. Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, Inc.

42. Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc.

43. Legal Aid Chicago

44. Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles

45. Legal Aid of Arkansas, Inc.

46. Legal Aid of East Tennessee

47. Legal Aid of Nebraska

48. Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc.

49. Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas

50. Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio

51. Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania

52. Legal Aid of the Bluegrass

53. Legal Aid of West Virginia, Inc.

54. Legal Aid of Western Michigan

55. Legal Aid of Western Missouri

56. Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc.

57. Legal Aid of Wyoming, Inc.

58. Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota

59. Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc.

60. Legal Aid Services of Oregon

61. Legal Aid Society

62. Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia

63. Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati

64. Legal Aid Society of Hawaii

65. Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, Inc.

66. Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands

67. Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, Inc.

68. Legal Aid Society of San Diego, Inc.

69. Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.

70. Legal Services Alabama

71. Legal Services Corporation of Delaware, Inc.

72. Legal Services NYC

73. Legal Services of Eastern Michigan

74. Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc.

75. Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc.

76. Legal Services of Long Island, Inc.

77. Legal Services of North Dakota

78. Legal Services of North Florida, Inc.

79. Legal Services of Northern California, Inc.

80. Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Inc.

81. Legal Services of Northern Virginia, Inc.

82. Legal Services of Northwest Jersey

83. Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota Corporation

84. Legal Services of Southern Missouri

85. Legal Services of the Hudson Valley

86. Legal Services of the Virgin Islands, Inc.

87. Legal Services Vermont

88. Lone Star Legal Aid

89. Maryland Legal Aid

90. Michigan Advocacy Program

91. Michigan Indian Legal Services, Inc.

92. Micronesian Legal Services, Inc.

93. Mid-Missouri Legal Services Corporation

94. MidPenn Legal Services, Inc.

95. Mississippi Center for Legal Services

96. Montana Legal Services Association

97. Neighborhood Legal Services Association

98. Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County

99. Neighborhood Legal Services Program of the District of Columbia

100. Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc.

101. Nevada Legal Services, Inc.

102. New Mexico Legal Aid

103. North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, Inc.

104. North Penn Legal Services, Inc.

105. Northeast Legal Aid, Inc.

106. Northeast New Jersey Legal Services Corporation

107. Northwest Justice Project

108. Northwestern Legal Services

109. Oklahoma Indian Legal Services, Inc.

110. Philadelphia Legal Assistance Center

111. Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Inc.

112. Prairie State Legal Services, Inc.

113. Puerto Rico Legal Services, Inc.

114. Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc.

115. South Carolina Legal Services, Inc.

116. South Coastal Counties Legal Services

117. South Jersey Legal Services, Inc.

118. Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Corporation

119. Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc.

120. Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Inc.

121. Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society, Inc.

122. Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut, Inc.

123. Summit Legal Aid

124. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc.

125. The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland

126. Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc.

127. Utah Legal Services, Inc.

128. Virginia Legal Aid Society, Inc.

129. Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association

130. West Tennessee Legal Services, Inc.