Expert: Michael Troy - 7/18/2004

Question
Who supports and pays for the ACLU activites?
Does the taxpayer pay any portion?

Answer
Hi Joan,

The ACLU has been a privately funded organization ever since it was founded in 1920.  For the most part, it relies on donations and membership dues from those who believe in what they are doing.  It also receives money from several large foundations, such as the Ford Foundation.

In some cases, it also collects attorney fees from the government or other defendants when it wins certain types of cases and the government is forced to pay such fees as part of the disposition of the case.  But beyond that it does not receive any government funds.

Of course, as with any non-profit organization, the government makes private donations tax deductable, which is an indirect government benefit to the organization, but no different than any other non-profit out there.

I hope this helps!
- Mike