Last updated on: 7/5/2017 | Author: ProCon.org

ACLU Structure

I. Mission   V. Budget
II. Organizational Structure   VI. Membership
III. Case Selection   VII. ACLU and States Affiliates’ Links
IV. Officers and Senior Staff    

 

I. MISSION
The ACLU describes itself as “the largest public interest law firm.” Its mission is stated on its website under the title “Guardian of Freedom,” aclu.org (accessed June 28, 2017), as the following:

“The ACLU is our nation’s guardian of liberty, working daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country…

WHAT THE BILL OF RIGHTS GUARANTEES

  • Your First Amendment rights – freedom of speech, association and assembly; freedom of the press, and freedom of religion.
  • Your right to equal protection under the law – equal treatment regardless of race, sex, religion or national origin.
  • Your right to due process – fair treatment by the government whenever the loss of your liberty or property is at stake.
  • Your right to privacy – freedom from unwarranted government intrusion into your personal and private affairs…

We continue to tackle the thorniest issues confronting our nation – racism, sexism, homophobia, religious intolerance, and censorship. The ACLU’s mission remains realizing the promise of the Bill of Rights for all and expanding the reach of its guarantees to new areas.”
II. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The American Civil Liberties Union is composed of two separate corporate entitites: the ACLU and the ACLU Foundation. The ACLU engages primarily in legislative lobbying while the ACLU Foundation carries out most of the litigation and communication efforts. A contribution to the ACLU Foundation is tax-deductible but does not provide membership privileges. Membership is possible only through a non-tax deductible contribution to the ACLU. The two organizations share office space and employees, and are together commonly referred to as the ACLU.

The ACLU has two main governing bodies: the National Board of Directors and the National Advisory Council. The other two major components are the Affiliates and the Biennial Conference.

In addition, the ACLU implements National Projects to carry out education and litigation on issues of particular concern to the ACLU:

  • Capital Punishment Project (Durham, NC)
  • Drug Law Reform Project (Santa Cruz, CA)
  • Free Speech Project (New York, NY)
  • HIV/AIDS Project (New York, NY)
  • Human Rights Project (New York, NY)
  • Immigrants’ Rights Project (New York, NY and San Francisco, CA)
  • LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) Rights Project (New York, NY)
  • National Security Project (New York, NY)
  • Prisoners’ Rights Project (New York, NY)
  • Racial Justice Project (New York, NY)
  • Religion and Belief Project (New York, NY)
  • Reproductive Freedom Project (New York, NY)
  • Technology and Liberty Project (Seattle, WA)
  • Voting Rights Project (Atlanta, GA)
  • Women’s Rights Project (New York, NY)
III. CASE SELECTION
The guidelines for affiliates and national staff (as stated in the ACLU’s “Policy Guide”) provide that, in general, the ACLU should select cases that will either create a precedent or implement a prior ruling of the US Supreme Court.

If there is a policy regarding the issue of a case, then the decision to take the case will be made at the state level by either the affiliate’s staff, special lawyers’ committee, or the affiliate Board of Directors. If the case is potentially exceptionally controversial, the staff and the affiliate’s board will hold a consultation.

If there is no policy regarding the issue of a case, the matter will be referred to the appropriate committee of the National Board of Directors who will decide on the policy and will provide a recommendation.

If the matter represents an emergency, the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors will decide whether the ACLU should take the case. In any case, very few decisions are reached by a single individual or without wide consultations and are rarely unanimous.

The ACLU is involved in nearly 6,000 cases per year. It appears before the US Supreme Court more than any other organization except the US Department of Justice.
IV. OFFICERS and SENIOR STAFF
(as of June 2017)
 

President
Susan N. Herman

Executive Director
Anthony Romero

Deputy Executive Director
Dorothy M. Ehrlich
V. BUDGET
(ACLU.org provides combined data for the Foundation and ACLU for 2016.
ACLU/ACLU Foundation (Fiscal Year 2016)
Income Expenses
$138,186,158

78% Grants and Contributions
18% Bequests
4% Donated Legal Services

 $127,428,622

86% Total Program Services
9% Fundraising
5% Management and General
VI. MEMBERSHIP
1.6 million members as of May 2017
VII. ACLU and STATES AFFILIATES’ LINKS
The American Civil Liberties Union
(The national or parent organization – headquartered in New York, NY) 
 
 

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