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ARIZONA CITIZENS DEFENSE LEAGUE

TUCSON, AZ · EIN 710985345 · Form 990 · FY2020 · NTEE R60 · Civil Rights & Advocacy · Small ($100K-$1M) · azcdl.org
revenue
$201K
expenses
$168K
net assets
$183K
employees
0
volunteers
25
program ratio
80%
mission · from form 990

OUTREACH TO EDUCATE AND INVOLVE THE CITIZENS OF ARIZONA IN THE STATE'S LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL) is a grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and expanding Second Amendment rights in Arizona. Since 2005, it has worked to introduce and pass pro-gun legislation, including Constitutional Carry and reforms to self-defense laws. The organization operates statewide and relies on member donations for funding.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2020

what they reported doing

Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.

  1. #1 primary $16K
    MEMBERSHIP OUTREACH - SEE SCHEDULE OMEMBERSHIP OUTREACH - TO STIMULATE INTEREST AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION AND INVOLVEMENT IN AZCDL. 1) IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING EDUCATION OUTREACH AT PUBLIC EVENTS, AZCDL USES THESE OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECRUITING MEMBERS, AND INTRODUCING THE PUBLIC TO OUR MISSION, GOALS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS. 2) A NEWSLETTER IS PUBLISHED QUARTERLY, PROVIDING MEMBERS WITH UPDATES ON LEGISLATION AND AZCDL ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS.3) AZCDL HAS STAGGERED TERMS OF OFFICE FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO INSURE THAT A DIRECTOR ELECTION IS HELD ANNUALLY.
  2. #2 $32K
    EDUCATION - SEE SCHEDULE OEDUCATION - OUTREACH TO EDUCATE THE CITIZENS OF ARIZONA AND INVOLVE THEM IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. 1) USING VOLUNTEERS, AZCDL MAINTAINS OUTREACH AT PUBLIC EVENTS RELATED TO OUR GOALS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS. WE INTERACT WITH THOUSANDS OF CITIZENS DURING THE YEAR AND PROVIDE THEM WITH INFORMATION ON CURRENT LAW AND PENDING LEGISLATION IN ARIZONA. 2) DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WE POST THE STATUS OF LEGISLATION WE SUPPORT OR OPPOSE ON OUR WEBSITE. 3) LEGISLATIVE ALERTS WERE SENT TO OVER 60,000 SUBSCRIBERS ALONG WITH POSTING TO OUR WEBSITE. OUR ALERTS CONTAIN UPDATES ON PENDING LEGISLATION WE SUPPORT OR OPPOSE. 4) WE MAINTAIN AN ONLINE LEGISLATIVE ACTION CENTER THAT ALLOWS CONSTITUENTS TO CONTACT STATE AND FEDERAL ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS. WE MAKE THIS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO USE IT. OVER 6,000 MESSAGES WERE SENT TO ARIZONA LEGISLATORS AND THE GOVERNOR IN 2020.
named programs · 3 · from sources

what they call their work

Annual Meeting of Members
Hosts an annual event featuring legislative updates, guest speakers, awards, raffles, and networking for members
Legislative Advocacy
Works to introduce and pass pro-rights firearm legislation in Arizona, including Constitutional Carry, Castle Doctrine expansion, and preemption of local gun laws
Member Discounts Program
Provides members with discounts from affiliated businesses on firearms, training, and tactical gear
activities · 7 clusters

what they do

  • Legislative Monitoring & Member Advocacy Support 2 activities
    • Constituent mobilization and legislative communication campaigns
      Coordinates email campaigns and notifies subscribers about legislative developments, issuing calls to action for contacting lawmakers. Utilizes the Arizona Legislature's Request to Speak system and provides access to it for members to engage directly with legislative committees.
    • Legislative Action and Information Dissemination
      The organization coordinates constituent email campaigns directed at legislators, notifies subscribers about legislative developments and calls to action, and provides voting records and bill tracking information to show how legislators voted on key bills and which legislation the organization is monitoring. They also provide an Action Center to facilitate contact with legislators, the Governor, state agencies, and the media.
  • Legislative Monitoring & Advocacy for Industry Professionals 2 activities
    • Lobbying and Legislative Advocacy
      The organization funds professional lobbyists at the Arizona State Capitol, and its representatives work full-time to testify at committee hearings, monitor floor votes, and meet with legislators on proposed bills to improve existing laws. They also use the Arizona Legislature's Request to Speak system to contact legislative committee members regarding pending legislation.
    • Lobbying and legislative advocacy at the Arizona State Capitol
      Funds professional lobbyists and employs full-time representatives at the Arizona State Capitol who testify at committee hearings, monitor floor votes, meet with legislators, and advocate for pro-rights legislation. Operates a Legislative Action Center to track bills and coordinate advocacy efforts.
  • Insurance and Discounted Financial Services for Members 2 activities
    • Member benefits and affiliate marketing programs
      Markets legal protection plans such as Attorneys on Retainer and Firearms Legal Protection to members, earning commissions from sales. Also provides members with discounts from partner organizations like the USCCA and receives quarterly revenue from member purchases through 2A Republic.
    • Promoting Legal Protection Programs
      The organization markets Attorneys on Retainer legal protection programs to its members and receives commissions from sales of Firearms Legal Protection plans purchased by members. They also provide members with a discount from the U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA).
  • Public Environmental Events & Outreach 2 activities
    • Public Education and Outreach
      The organization produces and distributes educational materials such as handouts, flyers, brochures, and newsletters to educate the public and recruit members. They also host informational presences at gun shows and other events, engaging volunteers to manage tables, distribute literature, and assist with membership applications.
    • Public education and membership outreach at events
      Hosts informational tables at gun shows and other public events to promote the organization’s mission, distribute educational materials, and assist individuals with membership applications. Staffed by volunteers who engage the public and recruit members.
  • Member Meetings and Conventions 1 activity
    • Annual membership meeting organization
      Organizes and hosts an annual Meeting of Members, with the 2025 event scheduled for October 25 at the Tucson Marriott University Park Hotel.
  • Knife Rights Legal & Legislative Advocacy 1 activity
    • Influencing Pro-Rights Legislation
      The organization has been instrumental in the introduction and/or passage of pro-rights legislation in every legislative session since its involvement, including securing legislative improvement in CCW training requirements, passing Constitutional Carry, prohibiting confiscation of firearms during emergencies, strengthening state preemption of firearm and knife laws, requiring secure storage for weapons-prohibited events, passing the Crime Victims Protection Act of 2012, and restoring "innocent until proven guilty" in self-defense situations.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Legislative transparency and member resources
      Provides members with voting records of legislators on key bills, tracks legislation of interest, and maintains an Action Center to facilitate communication with elected officials, state agencies, and media.
financials · form 990 · fy2020

the money

revenue
Total revenue$201K
Contributions & grants$187K93%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$560%
Other revenue$14K
expenses
Total expenses$168K
Program expenses80%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$4K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$186K
Cash$185K
Investments$0
Liabilities$3K
Net assets$183K
Liquid reserves13.3 mo
1 years on record · 2020–2020
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2020

who runs it

board members · 6
  • DAVID KOPP — PRESIDENT
  • ED MARTINEZ — DIRECTOR
  • FREDERICK DAHNKE — TREASURER
  • J D SCHECHTER — DIRECTOR
  • MICHAEL GIBBS — VICE PRESIDENT
  • TOM WOODROW — SECRETARY
relationships · 29

who they work with

  • 2A Republic Partner — Offers a 10% discount to AzCDL members and donates 10% of member purchases to AzCDL quarterly.
  • Active Self Protection Partner — Sponsor
  • Archangel AZ Partner — Sponsor
  • Arizona Citizens Defense League Foundation Partner — Sponsor
  • Arizona Legislature Government — Utilizes the Arizona Legislature's Request to Speak system to communicate with legislative committee members.
  • Arizona State Legislature Government — Provides a link to the official website of the Arizona State Legislature.
  • Armor K9 Partner — Sponsor
  • Attorneys For Freedom Partner — Legal firm backing the Attorneys on Retainer program; AzCDL markets this service to members.
  • Attorneys for Freedom Partner — Sponsor
  • AzCDL PAC Partner — Established a new Political Action Committee (AzCDL PAC)
  • Ben Avery Shooting Facility Partner — Sponsor
  • Black Phantom Tactical Partner — Offers a 10% discount to AzCDL members.
  • Compass Training Center Partner — Sponsor
  • Cowtown Range Partner — Sponsor
  • DCS Partner — Offers a 10% discount to AzCDL members.
  • Department of Public Safety (DPS) Government — Interacts with DPS regarding CCW training approval and administrative rulings.
  • Dynamic Combative Solutions Partner — Sponsor
  • FASTER Saves Lives Partner — Sponsor
  • Firearms Legal Protection Partner — Insurance provider for firearms-related legal coverage; AzCDL receives commission on member purchases.
  • Firearms Legal Protection Partner — Sponsor
  • Joe Foss Shooting Range Partner — Sponsor
  • Range Ready Studios Partner — Sponsor, Firearms Training Facility
  • Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club Partner — Sponsor
  • Second Amendment Foundation Partner — Massad Ayoob, President of the Second Amendment Foundation, is the keynote speaker at AzCDL's annual meeting.
  • Tactical Defense Institute Partner — Sponsor
  • The Tactical Medic Partner — Offers a 10% discount to AzCDL members.
  • Trueshot Ammo Partner — Sponsor
  • U.S. Concealed Carry Association Partner — Offers a 15% discount to AzCDL members.
  • Wright Armory Partner — Offers a 10% discount to AzCDL members.