Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA): Who They Are

Overview
Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2014. It is led by conservative legal strategist Edward J. Blum and has been the driving force behind lawsuits that ended affirmative action in U.S. higher education. Its board members are mostly connected to past plaintiffs or supporters of race-based litigation.

Edward J. Blum  Founder & President

  • Born: 1952

  • Education: BA, University of Texas at Austin

  • Background: Former stockbroker, shifted career to conservative legal advocacy.

  • Founder of:

    • Students for Fair Admissions (2014–present)

    • Project on Fair Representation (2005–present) backed Shelby County v. Holder (2013 Voting Rights Act case)

    • American Alliance for Equal Rights (2022–present)  suing over race-conscious corporate programs

  • Role: President of SFFA since 2014

  • Compensation: ~$48,000/year (reported in IRS Form 990 filings, 2016–2023)

  • Public controversies:

    • Called out for ties to “dark money” donor networks like DonorsTrust, Searle Freedom Trust, and Scaife Foundation

    • Criticized for “selective fairness”  targeting racial preferences but not legacy or donor admissions

    • Architect of Shelby County v. Holder  accused by civil rights groups of weakening voting rights protections

Abigail Fisher — Director / Former Secretary

  • Known for: Named plaintiff in Fisher v. University of Texas (2008–2016), a case supported by Blum before SFFA existed.

  • Connection: Later listed as SFFA director/secretary in IRS Form 990s.

  • Compensation: $0 reported.

  • Controversy: Critics argued she would not have been admitted to UT regardless of affirmative action. Case fueled nationwide debate.

Richard Fisher  Treasurer (historical)

  • Role: Appeared in SFFA 990s as Treasurer/Director in earlier years.

  • Compensation: $0 in most years; ~$2,500–$3,150 reported in some filings.

  • Employment: No major media profiles outside of nonprofit filings.

Hua “Eva” Guo  Director

  • Role: Board member; appears in SFFA communications and board materials.

  • Compensation: $0 reported.

  • Employment: No mainstream employment profile beyond nonprofit role.

JZ “Joe” Zhou  Director

  • Role: Board member; profiled by SFFA as an applicant denied by Ivy League schools.

  • Compensation: $0 reported.

Alex Chen  Director

  • Role: Listed in SFFA filings as board member.

  • Compensation: $0 reported.

  • Note: Name is common; no confirmed public employment info connected specifically to this SFFA director.

Organizational Info (Public Filing)

  • Legal status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 47-1689810

  • Headquarters: Arlington, Virginia (per IRS Form 990)

  • Mission (self-described): End racial classifications in education; litigate to “restore original civil-rights principles.”

  • Revenue (2019 snapshot): ~$1.54M

  • Expenses (2019 snapshot): ~$1.11M

Sources:

  • IRS Form 990 (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)

  • Harvard Crimson (Oct. 28, 2022)

  • Guardian (June 30, 2023)

  • InfluenceWatch profiles