Disable all preview features

Human and Civil Rights : Advocacy and Education

Electronic Frontier Foundation

Defending freedom in the digital world

four stars

95.96

815 Eddy Street San Francisco, CA 94109
tel: (415) 436-9333   Web Site
EIN: 04-3091431

Board Leadership
Brian Behlendorf
Chairman

CEO
Cindy Cohn
Executive Director

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 95.96 four stars
  Financial 94.30 four stars
  Accountability & Transparency 100.00 four stars
This rating was published 12/21/2018 and includes data from FY2017, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

When freedoms in the networked world come under attack, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is the first line of defense. EFF broke new ground when it was founded in 1990 - well before the Internet was on most people's radar - and continues to confront cutting-edge issues defending free speech, privacy, innovation, and consumer rights today. From the beginning, EFF has championed the public interest in every critical battle affecting digital rights. EFF fights for freedom primarily in the courts, bringing and defending lawsuits even when that means taking on the U.S. government or large corporations. By mobilizing more than 50,000 concerned citizens through our Action Center, EFF beats back bad legislation. In addition to advising policymakers, EFF educates the press and public.

When freedoms in the networked world come under attack, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is the first line of defense. EFF broke new ground when it was founded in 1990 - well before the Internet was on most people's radar - and continues to confront cutting-edge issues defending free speech, privacy, innovation, and consumer rights today. From the beginning, EFF has championed the public interest in every critical battle affecting digital rights. EFF fights for freedom primarily in the courts, bringing and defending lawsuits even when that means taking on the U.S. government or large corporations. By mobilizing more than 50,000 concerned citizens through our Action Center, EFF beats back bad legislation. In addition to advising policymakers, EFF educates the press and public.

Impact Information

data icon Looking for Impact Information?

Charity Navigator is collaborating with GuideStar, GlobalGiving, Classy, and ImpactMatters to display impact-related information on our rated profile pages. Each partner collects this data directly from nonprofits and provides updates to Charity Navigator when available.

If you are interested in seeing this charity provide its impact information, please click below. This will indicate your interest and encourage the nonprofit to share data with partners that are currently collecting information.

Learn more about how we calculate the overall score and rating.

Financial

four stars

94.30

Accountability & Transparency

four stars

100.00

This rating was published 12/21/2018 and includes data from FY2017, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 73.8%
  Administrative Expenses 13.6%
  Fundraising Expenses 12.4%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.09
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 3.17
  Program Expenses Growth 16.9%
  Liabilities to Assets 1.5%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Electronic Frontier Foundation on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Electronic Frontier Foundation on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Electronic Frontier Foundation (CA) 95.96 four stars
Juvenile Law Center (PA) 91.86 four stars
Asian Americans Advancing Justice (DC) 86.67 three stars
Public Advocates (CA) 89.54 three stars
Chinese for Affirmative Action (CA) 90.96 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $12,582,403
   Federated Campaigns $64,450
   Membership Dues $4,186,894
   Fundraising Events $0
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $0
Total Contributions $16,833,747
   Program Service Revenue $22,500
Total Primary Revenue $16,856,247
   Other Revenue $536,179
TOTAL REVENUE $17,392,426
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $8,290,875
   Administrative Expenses $1,625,504
   Fundraising Expenses $1,482,150
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $11,398,529
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $5,993,897
   
Net Assets $35,779,833

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Due to an error on this organization's Form 990, we are unable to display program information.

Ratings History
Electronic Frontier Foundation has received 6 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator.

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2017-06 12/21/2018 95.96 four stars
2016-06 04/01/2018 96.04 four stars
2015-06 11/01/2016 96.18 four stars
2014-06 08/01/2016 96.30 four stars
2014-06 06/01/2016 95.34 four stars
 
CN 2.0
2014-06 11/01/2015 95.38 four stars
2013-06 12/01/2014 96.60 four stars
2012-06 10/01/2013 93.90 four stars
2011-06 09/01/2012 85.42 three stars
2010-06 11/01/2011 86.48 three stars
2008-12 09/20/2011 94.78 four stars
 
CN 1.0
2008-12 06/01/2010 97.69 four stars
2007-12 05/01/2009 98.08 four stars
2006-12 03/01/2008 92.96 four stars
2005-12 02/01/2007 95.67 four stars
2004-12 05/01/2006 95.42 four stars
2003-12 04/01/2005 90.60 four stars
2002-12 02/01/2004 92.79 four stars

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 04-3091431
Name in IRS Master File ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION INC
NTEE Code [Not Provided by IRS]
NTEE Classification [Not Provided by IRS]
NTEE Type [Not Provided by IRS]
Classification Charitable Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (430) Defense of human and civil rights
Foundation Status Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public   170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
Affiliation Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations).
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date July, 1990
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End June
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • June, 2017
  • June, 2016
  • June, 2015
  • June, 2014
  • June, 2013
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$250,000 2.19% Cindy Cohn Executive Director

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Electronic Frontier Foundation (CA) 95.96 four stars
Freedom From Religion Foundation (WI) 100.00 four stars
American Humanist Association (DC) 91.49 four stars
FAIR Federation for American Immigration Reform (DC) 97.76 four stars
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (DC) 91.90 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

Are you the representative for this organization? If so, click here to access the application form. As an official representative you will have the ability to update some of the information on this page.

Charity Contact Info

Electronic Frontier Foundation
815 Eddy Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
tel: (415) 436-9333
fax: (415) 436-9993
EIN: 04-3091431

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Brian Behlendorf
Chairman

CEO

Cindy Cohn
Executive Director

please wait...

    • I want to donate to Electronic Frontier Foundation

      $
      next

    • Frequency

      back
      next

    • Would you like us to email someone and CC you?

      This email identifies you as the donor but does not specify the amount of your gift.
      back
    A donation of to has been added to your Giving Basket!

    Basket Total:
    Check Out Now or Continue Researching

Join Our Mailing List

Join over 400,000 other informed givers and get updates on charity ratings, new features, hot topics, and tips for donating.

As seen on