About Us
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American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado and
American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado Foundation:

What is the Difference?

The ACLU of Colorado is comprised of two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado and the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado Foundation. Although both the Union and the Foundation are part of the same overall organization, it is necessary that the ACLU of Colorado have two separate organizations in order for the ACLU of Colorado to do a broad range of work in protecting civil liberties. This Web site collectively refers to the two organizations under the name "ACLU of Colorado."

Although there is some overlap in the work done by each organization, certain activities the ACLU of Colorado does to protect civil liberties must be done by one organization and not the other. This is primarily in the area of lobbying. The American Civil Liberties Union engages in legislative lobbying. As an organization that is eligible to receive contributions that are tax-deductible by the contributor, federal law limits the extent to which the Foundation may engage in lobbying activities. Therefore, most of the lobbying activity done by the ACLU of Colorado and discussed in this Web site is done by the Union. By contrast, most of the ACLU of Colorado's litigation and communication efforts described in this Web site are done by the Foundation.

You may make a contribution to the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado Foundation, or both. A contribution to either organization will be used to support, promote and defend civil liberties. However, each organization will only use the funds contributed directly to it to carry out the specific activities it conducts as part of the overall ACLU of Colorado mission. A donor may make a tax-deductible gift only to the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado Foundation. A donor who chooses to "Join" and become a "card-carrying member of the ACLU of Colorado" is making a contribution to the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado. Membership dues and other gifts to Union are not tax-deductible.

To join and become a card-carrying member of the ACLU of Colorado, click here.

To make a tax-deductible gift to the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado Foundation, click here.