Your feedback ensures we stay focused on the facts that matter to you most—take our survey.
Alliance Defending Freedom
| Alliance Defending Freedom | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Scottsdale, Arizona |
| Type: | 501(c)(3) |
| Year founded: | 1994 |
| Website: | Official website |
The Alliance Defending Freedom, formerly known as the Alliance Defense Fund, is a 501(c)(3) legal alliance based in Arizona. Founded in 1994, the organization advocates for "protecting religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, parental rights, and God’s design for marriage and family," according to it's website.[1]
Background
The Alliance Defending Freedom was founded as the Alliance Defense Fund in 1994 by five individuals: Dr. Bill Bright, Larry Burkett, Dr. James C. Dobson, Dr. D. James Kennedy, and Marlin Maddoux.[2][1]
In 2012, the organization changed its name from the Alliance Defense Fund to the Alliance Defending Freedom.[2]
Leadership
As of August 2025, Kristen Waggoner was CEO and president of the Alliance Defending Freedom.[1]
Work and activites
Legal activities
According to the organization's website, the Alliance Defending Freedom focuses on the following issues:[3]
| “ |
|
” |
As of August 2025, the ADF website reported that the organization has either represented clients, filed amicus briefs, or provided financial assistance in 83 cases that have gone before the United States Supreme Court.[5] It has directly represented the winning party in 16 Supreme Court cases.[5]
In addition, the organization maintains a network of over 4,800 attorneys, providing training and grant opportunities.[6][7] Alliance Defending Freedom also offers legal advice to over 4,200 churches and religious groups.[8]
Legislative work
Alliance Defending Freedom advocates for policies in state legislatures through its 501(c)(4) affiliate ADF Action.[9] The group advocates on the following issues, according to its website:[9]
| “ |
|
” |
In 2024, 12 states enacted 25 bills that the organization helped write.[6]
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this organization made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
Finances
The following is a breakdown of the Alliance Defending Freedom's finances for fiscal years 2019 to 2022, according to documents submitted to the Internal Revenue Service.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Alliance Defending Freedom. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
- Alliance Defending Freedom website
- Alliance Defending Freedom on Facebook
- Alliance Defending Freedom on Twitter
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Alliance Defending Freedom, "About," accessed August 25, 2025
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Alliance Defending Freedom, "History," accessed August 25, 2025
- ↑ Alliance Defending Freedom, "Home," accessed August 25, 2025
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Alliance Defending Freedom, "ADF at the Supreme Court," accessed August 25, 2025
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Alliance Defending Freedom, "2024 Annual Report," accessed August 25, 2025
- ↑ Alliance Defending Freedom, "Attorney Network," accessed August 25, 2025
- ↑ Alliance Defending Freedom , "Legal Guidance for Churches & Ministries," accessed August 25, 2025
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 ADF Action, "Home," accessed August 25, 2025
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Internal Revenue Service , "Alliance Defending Freedom 2022 990 Form," accessed August 13, 2025
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Internal Revenue Service , "Alliance Defending Freedom 2020 990 Form," accessed August 13, 2025
| |||||||
