Our Mission
Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF) seeks to instill in our nation's youth a deeper understanding of citizenship through values expressed in our Constitution and its Bill of Rights and to educate young people to become active and responsible participants in our society. CRF is dedicated to assuring our country's future by investing in our youth today.
CRF is a non-profit, non-partisan, community-based organization dedicated to educating America's young people about the importance of civic participation in a democratic society. Under the guidance of a Board of Directors chosen from the worlds of law, business, government, education, the media, and the community, CRF develops, produces, and distributes programs and materials to teachers, students, and public-minded citizens all across the nation.
Federal Tax Id: 95-2219680 | Tax exempt status: 501(c)(3)
CRF staff includes teachers and educators, lawyers, community organizers and fundraisers, designers, writers, and editors. They provide technical assistance and training to teachers, coordinate civic participation projects in schools and communities, organize student conferences and competitions, and develop publications in the following areas:
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Law and Government programs and materials focus on how groups and individuals interact with the issues, institutions, people and processes that shape our laws and government.
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Civic Participation programs and materials bring to life the rights and responsibilities of active citizenship by challenging young people to explore their community and plan and implement projects that address community needs.
Get to know more about Constitutional Rights Foundation by looking over our Annual Report. Contact our staff. Explore our Programs section to learn how CRF translates its visions into reality. Turn to the Publications page to survey our catalog offering materials in Government, U.S. and World History, Business, and Civic Participation. Tour our Support section to learn how we keep our vital work moving ahead, or check out the Calendar. Click here to read about our history and how we got started.
Do you have any questions about CRF Programs or Publications? Do you want to reach a particular CRF staff member? Download a copy of CRF's brochure.
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
All Directors are independent, voting members. Updated January 2020.
Officers and Executive Committee:
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Kimberly A. Dunne
Vikas Arora
Jonathan Gordon
Chief Financial Officer
Alston & Bird LLP
Darin T. Beffa
Secretary
Beffa Law
Peter B. Morrison
Co-Chair, Development Committee
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Shannon Alexander
Chair, Internship Committee
NBCUniversal Media, LLC
T. Warren Jackson
Chair, Spring Dinner Committee
Signature Resolution
Hon. John A. Kronstadt
Education & Program Oversight Committee
U. S. District Court
Joseph A. Calabrese
Co-Chair, Development Committee
Latham & Watkins LLP
Jason Lo
Chair, Nominating Committee
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
Nancy R. Thomas
Chair, Education & Program Oversight Committee
Morrison & Foerster
Douglas A. Thompson
Vice Chair, Publications Committee
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
Directors
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 Leon BassSouthern California Edison |
 Paul BernsteinVenable LLP |
 Kelli BrooksKPMG
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David J. DiMeglio
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Margaret H. Gillespie
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Kate S. Gold |
 Samantha C. GrantSheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP |
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Ross Higman
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Deepak Jain
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Robert C. Aronoff
Jean-Claude (J.C.) André
E Jane Arnault-Factor, Ph.D.
Sheldon Eisenber
Liam A. Ferguson
 Hon. Jackie LaceyLos Angeles County District Attorney |
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 Joseph D. LeeChair, Audit Committee Munger Tolles & Olson LLP
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 Molly M. LensO'Melveny & Myers LLP
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 C. James Levin |
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 Shahzad A. MalikNixon Peabody |
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 Brian R. MichaelKing & Spalding, LLP |
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 Robert A. SacksSullivan & Cromwell LLP |
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 Paul K. SchriefferP.K. Schrieffer LLP |
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 K. Eugene Shutler |
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Darry Sragow |
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Peggy Saferstein
Danielle Sherrod
Don Tefft Jr.
Michael Tu
Aaron M. Wais
Todd ClarkEmeritus Board
Emeritus Board
Membership on CRF’s Emeritus Board recognizes those individuals who made meritorious contributions to the mission of the Foundation and the young people we serve during their tenures on our Board of Directors.
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Bette Bardeen |
David Laufer |
Legacy Society
Legacy Society
Securing the future of Constitutional Rights Foundation
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We acknowledge with enormous gratitude those who have pledged to include CRF in their estate planning. |
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Robert C. Aronoff |
Alan C. Friedman |
Endowment BuildersSince 1990, CRF has been fortunate to receive a number of endowments given by people who share our passion for civic education and support our mission, teaching young people how to be engaged citizens in our democracy. CRF acknowledges with enormous gratitude past presidents who established endowments at CRF: Jerome C. Byrne, James A. Cobey, and Alan I. Rothenberg; to past board members, Jack Stutman and Robert Rosenstiel; and to our long-time supporters Phyllis and Robert Henigson for their continuing Life Income Gifts. We would also like to recognize Dr. Jama Laurent and the board of directors of the Creative Kids Foundation for establishing an endowment allowing CRF to place students as interns in arts organizations in Los Angeles. To all of you, a very special thank you. Most of all, we would like to send out a loud cheer and celebrate our champion of champions, Lloyd M. Smith, who throughout his life embodied the highest ideals of American democracy and believed in the importance that all young people be educated about their constitutional heritage. It was Lloyd who established the CRF Endowment Builders Program, ensuring that CRF’s mission continues long into the future. To all of our friends, supporters, and donors, and to those people who have indicated that they will remember CRF in their will or by bequest: We thank you for your generosity and for the trust you have given us. Most important, we thank you on behalf of the students of tomorrow who will have opportunities to learn about and celebrate our Constitution and its Bill of Rights for generations to come. Contact us to discuss possible bequests or endowment to CRF. |
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Annual Reports and Financials
Annual Reports
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001
Financial Statements
Latest Audited Financials | Latest IRS Form 990
Note: Constitutional Rights Foundation’s Audit Committee operates independently from its Finance Committee.
Staff
Executive Staff
Marshall Croddy, President
Marshall Croddy assumed the position of President of CRF in February 2013. Croddy previously served as Vice President. He is an attorney and has been a member of the State Bar of California since 1976. Croddy is a nationally recognized leader in the field of law-related and civics education. He has designed, edited, and co-written most of CRF's educational texts and publications including the Law in the Social Studies series, Criminal Justice in America, Letters of Liberty, Foundations of Freedom, Reviewing the Verdict, Active Citizenship Today, The W.M. Keck Foundation Challenge Series, CityWorks, and Bill of Rights in Action, a nationally distributed curricular newsletter. In the area of program design and implementation, he has helped create numerous educational programs for Constitutional Rights Foundation and other organizations, most notably, the 1991 Southern California Celebration of the Bicentennial of the Bill of Rights. He has served on the boards of a number of educational and civic organizations. In 2000, he received the American Bar Association's Isidore Starr Award for Excellence in Law-Related Education, and in 2007, he was awarded the Roy Erickson Civic Education Leadership Award by the California Council for the Social Studies. |
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Staff
(Click on names for staff bio and contact information.)
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I am CRF's senior publications manager and have been with CRF since 1991, when I was hired as a program assistant. As publications manager, I oversee the publishing process, from initial conception through completion of print and online publications. I work closely with CRF's president, director of program, and other key staff to capture program requirements and translate them into practical design solutions. I have designed, developed, and maintain CRF's websites. I have a degree in political science from California State University, Northridge, and a marketing certificate from Los Angeles City College. I enjoy reading political biographies when time permits.
I develop and write curriculum materials and lead professional development for teachers related to various CRF programs and initiatives. Prior to joining CRF in 2017, I was a social studies and special education teacher for about 15 years, in both the U.S. and overseas in Colombia and Jordan. I taught a range of social studies courses in both middle school and high school, including Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate (MYP & DP) classes. I earned my B.A. in International Studies from American University and my M.A.T. in History from Boston College. On weekends I enjoy getting to know my (still pretty new) surroundings here in Southern California with my family.
My work at CRF has afforded me 18 years of experience providing local, regional, and national training to youth, educators, and other professionals seeking ways to integrate civic- and law-related activities into their educational programs. I’m currently on the team for CRF’s Civic Action Project. I also am responsible for filming and editing projects to help promote and showcase CRF programs. I have degrees in political science and history. I haven’t settled on a hobby, but have thus far enjoyed searching for one.
I am CRF’s program assistant for the Mock Trial Program and the Expanding Horizons Internships programs. I participated in the EHI program back in 2013 when I was in high school and I truly enjoyed my experience in the program. graduated from Cal State Channel Islands with a degree in Spanish. I enjoy watching the latest new movies and I love expanding my food palate.
I am the editor of CRF’s Bill of Rights in Action curricular magazine and CRF’s online publications, and I lead professional-development workshops for teachers. I co-direct (with Dr. Peg Hill) the California Three Rs Project for teaching about religion and the First Amendment in public schools. I earned my bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Southern California, my master’s in education from UCLA, and my law degree from Loyola Law School. I taught middle-school social studies and ELA for nine years and have practiced law as a deputy public defender and professional mediator. I enjoy playing guitar, bass, drums, and singing whenever I can.
I manage development at CRF, which includes the Annual Appeal, donor stewardship & outreach, grant writing, and the annual Cobey volunteer-recognition event. I graduated with a degree in history from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and love all things to do with history and politics. After college I worked at the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum where I first learned how rewarding it is to be a part of a nonprofit that helps children. When I’m not at work you can usually find me at one of L.A.’s many great concert venues ― hopefully seeing Bruce Springsteen or U2!
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[Coming soon!]
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I have over 20 years of experience providing workshops and professional development sessions for youth, educators, and program staff seeking ways to incorporate civic- and law-related activities into their school or community-based programs. I currently direct CRF’s Cops & Kids program and co-direct the Civic Action Project (aka CAP), which is a web- and standards-based practicum for U.S. government classes. I am a native Angeleno and graduate of East L.A. and Occidental Colleges. In addition to my enduring love for the Los Angeles Dodgers, I enjoy exploring L.A.'s hiking and biking trails from Pacific Coast Highway to Angeles Crest Highway.
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With over 28 years at CRF, I currently direct the California Mock Trial program, which includes the Los Angeles County and California State Finals competitions. I work with county coordinators, administrators, teachers, and hundreds of judges and lawyers throughout the state. I also direct the Expanding Horizons Internships program, partnering with job sites and providing guidance for the educational seminars for high school students from underserved communities in the greater Los Angeles area. I also provide workshop sessions at local and state conferences on CRF programs and materials. I am a dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience implementing history programs to K-12 schools throughout California.
I am the Program Coordinator for the Expanding Horizons Internships and the Mock Trial Program. I have been working at CRF for just over 3 years now. I attended California State University Northridge.
[Coming soon!]
At CRF, I co-direct Civic Action Project and our law-related programming, and I provide assistance to other CRF programs. I have served on the California State Bar Council on Access and Fairness and the National High School Mock Trial Board. I teach street law at Southwestern Law School to prepare law students to work with young people in foster care and the juvenile justice system. I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology and social behavior from University of California, Irvine, and my law degree from University of Colorado, Boulder. Prior to joining CRF, I worked in private practice and taught middle school English-language arts. For fun, I enjoy listening to all types of podcasts and reading historical fiction.
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