Program areas at ACLU
Affiliate support - the aclu has an affiliate or chapter in every state and in puerto rico. Affiliates handle requests for legal assistance, lobby state legislatures and host educational forums throughout the year. The national aclu coordinates fundraising efforts with its affiliates and shares the proceeds of fundraising efforts with affiliates in accordance with a detailed policy. Through its affiliate support and nationwide initiatives (asni) department, the national aclu provides grants and support to affiliates on specific initiatives and projects that have been identified as involving matters of both local/regional and national significance. Asni provides ongoing training and technical assistance to affiliates on a variety of topics of relevance. The $76,968,387 of expenses includes grants to affiliates, beyond the $7,308,303 grant, to support legislative initiatives.
Legislative advocacy - the aclu's legislative advocates are a constant presence on capitol hill and in state legislatures, where they work to address Civil Liberties issues. Based primarily in the aclu's Washington, dc office, the organization's legislative policy team works to ensure that proposed legislation moves towards, rather than away, from the Civil Liberties goals of the organization. Working in collaboration with staff from aclu affiliates across the country and in coalition with other groups with a shared interest in specific Civil Liberties issues, the aclu conducts research, publishes position papers, hosts forums for the public, and meets with key legislators and members of their staffs to discuss strategies to protect Civil Liberties and rights.
Education - through newsletters, its comprehensive website, advertisements, op-ed articles, media interviews, publications, social media, and numerous meetings and workshops conducted in collaboration with its affiliates throughout the us, the aclu provides ongoing education to its 1,600,000 members and to the public at large concerning a wide range of Civil Liberties issues. The organization's educational campaigns emphasize first amendment rights to free speech, association and assembly; the right to equal protection under the law; the right to due process and to fair treatment when the loss of liberty or property is at stake; and the right to privacy and freedom from unwarranted government intrusion into personal and private affairs.
Legal - the aclu seeks to impact Civil Liberties through work on legislation at the federal and state level, as appropriate. The organization's legislative advocates are a constant presence on federal and state Civil Liberties legislative issues. Updates on key legislative issues impacting Civil Liberties are included in mail, email, and other communications to aclu members nationwide, as well as in public education campaigns. In addition, the aclu develops policy relating to positions on Civil Liberties issues.
Civil Liberties policy formulation - the board of directors of the aclu works through its standing and special committees to analyze Civil Liberties issues and, where appropriate, to develop policies that will serve as the frame of reference for legislative, educational and case-specific work at the national level, and the organization implements and assists in the development of policy goals through its affiliates.