Frequently Asked Questions

ADF stands for “Alliance Defending Freedom.” ADF is the world’s largest legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, parental rights, and God’s design for marriage and family. We exist to keep the door open for the gospel by advancing every person’s God-given right to live and speak the truth. We contend for the truth in law, policy, and the public square, and equip the alliance to do the same.

Alliance Defending Freedom is the world’s largest legal organization advancing every person’s God-given right to live and speak the truth.

ADF is one of the nation’s most respected and successful U.S. Supreme Court advocates. ADF has played various roles in Supreme Court victories. Since 2011, ADF has represented parties in victories at the Supreme Court, including cases such as Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 303 Creative v. Elenis, and Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, where ADF helped write Mississippi’s law and then served on Mississippi’s legal team in the case that overturned Roe v. Wade.

This term, ADF has four cases granted by the Supreme Court: Chiles v. Salazar (free speech in counseling), First Choice Women’s Resource Centers v. Platkin (unlawful targeting of pro-life pregnancy centers), and two women’s sports cases—West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox. Our alliance includes over 5,200 network attorneys, 3,200 Blackstone Legal Fellows, and 4,300 religious associations and organizations in the Church and Ministry Alliance.

Alliance Defending Freedom exists to keep the doors open for the gospel by advocating for religious liberty, the sanctity of human life, freedom of speech, parental rights, and marriage and family.

Guided by John 15:5—“Apart from Me you can do nothing”—we seek to honor God by obeying the greatest commandments: to love Him and to love our neighbor. From this biblical foundation, ADF works to protect our God-given rights in five key areas.

• Life is Safeguarded – Guaranteeing the right to life at every stage from conception to natural death.
• Religious Freedom Prevails – Restoring religious freedom as a fundamental right.
• All Can Speak Freely – Securing free speech for all.
• Parental Rights are Guaranteed – Guaranteeing the fundamental rights of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children.
• Marriage & Family are Protected – Ensuring the law respects God’s created order for marriage, the family, and human sexuality.

Recognizing the need for a strong, coordinated legal defense against growing attacks on religious freedom, more than 30 prominent Christian leaders launched Alliance Defending Freedom in 1994. Five exceptional men took a leading role in forming this legal organization and set the high standard of excellence and good stewardship that we continue to abide by today. They are Dr. Bill Bright (Founder, Cru); Larry Burkett (Co-founder, Crown Financial Ministries); Dr. James C. Dobson (Founder, Family Talk); Dr. D. James Kennedy (former Senior Pastor, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church); and Marlin Maddoux (former Host, “Point of View” radio program).

In 1994, a group of over 30 prominent Christian leaders saw the need to combat decades-long efforts by activists and government officials to drive expressions of faith out of the public square. They founded ADF to consolidate a strategy to protect God-given freedoms in the courts and to recruit and train attorneys dedicated to that same mission.

Since then, ADF has remained dedicated to victory, winning nearly 80% of our cases, including 16 cases at the U.S. Supreme Court. We’re proud to have made a difference. See what God has accomplished through over 30 years of ministry!

Alliance Defending Freedom exists to keep the door open for the gospel by advancing every person’s God-given right to live and speak the truth. We contend for the truth in law, policy, and the public square, and equip the alliance to do the same.

ADF plays the long game. While culture may change, truth does not. That’s why we pursue strategic victories that will bring lasting change in law and culture—together with a coalition of courageous clients, allies, advocates, and supporters.

Yes. Alliance Defending Freedom is grounded in the historic Christian tradition and has adopted the Apostles’ Creed as its Statement of Faith. We affirm the inspired, infallible, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God in Scripture and stand with the global Church in professing this shared faith.

Alliance Defending Freedom will never sell, rent, or make available your name for purposes not related to this organization. Read our Privacy Policy.

The most important way you can help us is with your prayers and financial support. We face well-funded opposition and would be honored by your prayers or gift of any amount. To stand with us financially, please click here and know that we will maximize every penny we receive to advocate for the right of people to freely live out their faith.

Discover more ways to support ADF’s work on our Get Involved page.

We appreciate your desire to join our team! In order to find the most current listing of job opportunities, please visit our careers page.

Yes, Alliance Defending Freedom is recognized by the IRS as a ministry exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.

Gifts are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Alliance Defending Freedom is recognized by the IRS as a ministry exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. We are not a private foundation, and we continue to operate as a publicly supported organization as described in IRC Sections 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi).

Alliance Defending Freedom is entirely dependent on the generosity of our Ministry Friends for our sustenance. We accept no government funds.

We are governed by a non-paid, independent board of directors which has adopted principles of financial accountability, including strict internal controls, external and board oversight, and a Ministry Friend Bill of Rights. Additionally, our annual IRS Form 990 and Audited Financial Statements are available here.

We have been a member in good standing with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) since 1995, the year Alliance Defending Freedom first became eligible to join. More about ECFA and its standards for membership are available on the ECFA website. Alliance Defending Freedom complies with individual state charitable registration requirements and also submits to an annual audit by an independent accounting firm.

Access grant applications online or by contacting our Grants and Funding Department at Grants@ADFlegal.org.

Most details about our cases involve confidential information protected by the attorney-client privilege; we therefore cannot ethically respond to every question in full. However, there are several excellent sources of information for most of our cases at Alliance Defending Freedom:

• Our Case Hub
• The Docket, News and Commentary Articles from ADF
• Our Press Releases
• Social Media – Facebook, X, and Instagram

If you have a general question or need further assistance, send us a message.

If you think you might need legal assistance, please fill out our legal request form or call 1-800-835-5233.

No. The free exercise of religion is America’s first liberty and is both a fundamental and inalienable right. Because the principles of religious freedom apply broadly, Alliance Defending Freedom has assisted people of other religious traditions in the past when it advances our common cause for religious freedom. In extremely rare situations, Alliance Defending Freedom has assisted persons who claim no particular faith when the legal principle is crucial and prevailing in the case will advance the organization’s mission. Whether a particular case is accepted for representation depends on its alignment within our mission and the capacity of our team.

Information and resources for your church and pastor can be found on our Church and Ministry Alliance website.

If you would like to invite Alliance Defending Freedom to come and speak at your church or gathering, complete the Speaker Invitation Request form  or call 1-800-835-5233.

Neither public nor private secular employers may discriminate on the basis of religion. Government employers are required to respect the First Amendment rights of their employees. Private employers must respect religious liberties under the law known as Title VII.

If you are employed by a government entity and have experienced religious discrimination at your job, contact us at 1-800-835-5233 or complete our legal help form and tell us your story.

If you are employed by a private employer and have experienced religious discrimination at your job, depending on the facts of your situation, we may be able to put you in touch with an attorney who could handle your case. For more information on Title VII and religious discrimination, visit the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website.