American Civil Liberties Union Foundation

About American Civil Liberties Union Foundation

American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Inc directs large, recurring grants through the ACLU network, with the biggest recent awards going to state affiliates such as ACLU Foundation of Louisiana, ACLU Foundation of Florida, and ACLU Foundation of Alabama. The pattern points to a funder that supports affiliated organizations rather than individual applicants, using grants to sustain civil liberties work through local and state operations. Its grant record shows consistent backing for affiliates across multiple years and multiple states. ACLU Foundation of Florida received awards in both 2023 and 2024, as did ACLU Foundation of Texas, ACLU Foundation of Georgia, ACLU Foundation of Alabama, ACLU Foundation of South Carolina, ACLU Foundation of New Mexico, and ACLU Foundation of Louisiana. That repetition suggests ongoing support for a networked structure rather than isolated project grants. The foundation’s stated work centers on civil liberties, litigation, public education, and civil rights. Recent awards to ACLU of North Carolina, ACLU of Kentucky, and ACLU of South Carolina show that the funding reaches both affiliate foundations and charitable entities within the broader ACLU system. The grant list also shows that support is substantial enough to fund organizational capacity across many states, not just one region.

What American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Funds

Civil liberties is the core theme of the foundation’s grantmaking. A $1,097,000 grant to ACLU of North Carolina supported a charitable award, while ACLU of Kentucky received $992,000 for charitable work. Those grants sit alongside affiliate-program support, showing that the foundation funds both direct charitable activity and network infrastructure. Affiliate development is another clear priority. ACLU Foundation of Pennsylvania received $932,000 for Affiliate Program work, and ACLU Foundation of Virginia received $912,000 for the same purpose in an earlier year. Similar affiliate-program awards also went to ACLU Foundation of Nebraska and ACLU Foundation of New Mexico. The foundation also backs regional civil liberties operations in the South and West. ACLU Foundation of Southern California received $640,000, and ACLU Foundation of Arizona received $568,000, both under Affiliate Program grants. Those awards indicate support for local implementation within a national civil liberties network.

How American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Gives