What is ACLU Nebraska?
ACLU Nebraska, founded in 1966 as the
Nebraska Civil Liberties Union, is a nonprofit, non-partisan, privately
funded organization devoted exclusively to the defense and promotion of the
individual rights secured by the U.S. and Nebraska constitutions. ACLU
Nebraska has been a consistent voice for constitutional rights for over 35
years; we are non-profit and entirely supported by membership donations.
ACLU Nebraska is a state affiliate of the
American Civil Liberties Union. The American Civil Liberties Union
(ACLU) has been America's foremost advocate of individual rights, from the
"red scare" that led to its creation in 1920, through the book bannings of
the 30s, the internment of Japanese Americans in the 40s, the civil rights
movement of the 50s and 60s, to the ongoing struggle to protect a woman's
right to choose.
The ACLU is nonpartisan. It believes that the
only way to protect freedom is to stand fast for the idea that everyone, no
matter how unpopular, has the same rights -- that liberty is preserved only
if principle stays ahead of the politics of the moment. The ACLU has 54
affiliates across the country. In many states, the ACLU is the only
organized voice for civil liberties.Top
What does ACLU Nebraska do?
ACLU Nebraska carries out its mission through
litigation, negotiation, lobbying, and education. We promote laws and
policies that will help achieve equality and fairness for all people. We
also educate the public, legislators, policy makers and opinion leaders
through books, position papers, articles, lectures, and media campaigns.
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ACLU Nebraska’s Legal Program
depends on a dedicated team of volunteer attorneys that meet regularly to
review complaints raising civil liberties concerns. ACLU Nebraska clients
have included doctors, students, political and religious protestors,
homemakers, prisoners, Senators, and clergy. Many cases never go to
court, however, because they are handled administratively by ACLU Nebraska
staff and volunteers.
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ACLU Nebraska’s Legislative Program
is comprised of staff, volunteers and the Bill of Rights Lobby. Made up
of ACLU members, the Lobby writes to and visits with state senators,
monitors pending legislation, and provides testimony at public hearings.
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ACLU Nebraska’s Public Education Program
seeks to educate the public through the media, sponsors/hosts events, and
provides speakers for schools and community organizations. If you are
interested in having an ACLU speaker at your event, please contact us.
ACLU Nebraska also works with the national
ACLU and its projects, which include: Projects on Capital Punishment, Prison
and Prisoners’ Rights, Reproductive Freedom, Women’s Rights, Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual and Transgender Rights, AIDS issues, Immigrant’s Rights, Arts
Censorship, Privacy/Technology issues, and National Security Litigation.Top
What can’t ACLU Nebraska do?
ACLU Nebraska is a private, non-profit,
membership organization that seeks to preserve and extend constitutional
rights and civil liberties through participation in legislation, litigation,
and community education. Since the Constitution is designed to protect
citizens from government, the ACLU generally becomes involved in
cases in which there is action by the government,
rather than action by private individuals or companies. This is not to say
that we can handle every complaint about the actions of government officials
either.
As we are a small office with limited staff
and resources, we must make extremely difficult decisions as to how to
allocate our limited resources. Due to this, ACLU Nebraska does not
ordinarily handle criminal cases, divorce/child custody cases, or
discrimination cases involving private companies or private individuals. If
you are not certain whether your case presents civil liberties issues,
please feel free to write to us with the details of your situation.Top
Who does the work of ACLU Nebraska?
The membership of ACLU Nebraska elect our
Board of Directors. The Board of Directors decide what civil liberties
issues ACLU Nebraska will promote and what cases will be taken to court.
The Board is also responsible for fundraising and hiring the Executive
Director.
Most of ACLU Nebraska’s work is carried out
by its three person staff, volunteers, and ACLU members. For
example, ACLU Nebraska depends entirely on volunteer attorneys to review
complaints and litigate those matters that cannot be resolved
administratively. ACLU Nebraska cooperating attorneys
have donated over $90,000 worth of legal services per year.
The complaint intake program is also
dependent on volunteers, many of whom are university students. ACLU
Nebraska’s members and volunteers come from all walk of life and
professions. The most important role that volunteers and members can play,
however, is being active in the citizens lobby. ACLU Nebraska encourages
all of its members to write or telephone legislators and elected officials
on civil liberties issues so that ACLU Nebraska’s voice will be heard loud
and clear, and in impressive numbers.Top
What is the difference between ACLU Nebraska
and the ACLU Nebraska Foundation?
ACLU Nebraska actually consists of two
entities: a lobbying and membership corporation called ACLU Nebraska, Inc.
and the ACLU Nebraska Foundation, Inc., which conducts litigation and public
education. To make things easier, think of the lobbying and membership arm
as the "Union" and the litigation/public education arm as the "Foundation." Top
What is the ACLU Nebraska Foundation?
As stated above, the ACLU Nebraska Foundation is the arm
of ACLU Nebraska that conducts litigation and public education in support of
civil liberties. The ACLU Nebraska Foundation is a 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt organization, and contributions to it are tax deductible to the
extent allowed by law. The “Foundation” is prohibited from using funds
to lobby. As you will read below, membership dues paid to the “Union”
are not tax deductible. A “Foundation” was created to allow our
members to make tax deductible contributions towards the defense of civil
liberties.Top
Are my membership dues used to fund
litigation and public education?
Very little, if any, of your membership dues
fund our litigation and public education programs. These programs are
primarily funded by the Foundation. Your dues, on the other hand, entirely
fund our lobbying and membership growth efforts. Your dues go into the
501(c)(4) arm of our organization, and are not tax deductible.Top
How does ACLU Nebraska raise Foundation funds?
The ACLU Nebraska Foundation conducts two
annual fundraising campaigns that seek support from individual donors to
underwrite the work of the organization. A large portion of ACLU Nebraska
Foundation’s funds are raised during the annual Bill of Rights Campaign.
Funds are also raised during the annual end
of the year direct mailing, and from unsolicited contributions. In the
future, the ACLU Nebraska Foundation will also be looking for grant money to
fund its litigation and public education program.Top
What is the Bill of Rights Campaign?
The Bill of Rights Campaign takes place every
fall and lasts for approximately one month. The Campaign is grounded in the
firm belief that personal outreach and one on one conversations with members
and potential supporters are the most cost effective and friendly way to
raise funds. ACLU Nebraska Board Members meet with individual ACLU members
to discuss the state of civil liberties in Nebraska, concerns the member may
have, and whether the member will, in addition to paying membership dues to
the “Union,” continue to help us defend the Bill of Rights by making a tax
deductible contribution to the ACLU Nebraska Foundation. As a result, ACLU
Nebraska maintains strong ties with many of its members and is always
informed about their current civil liberties concerns.Top
How much of my contribution goes toward
litigation and public education here in Nebraska?
All contributions to the “Foundation” are
shared between the national ACLU Foundation and ACLU Nebraska Foundation
according to a financial formula. Traditionally, this formula allows small
affiliates like ACLU Nebraska to keep 100% of the money raised by campaigns
like our Bill of Rights Campaign. Furthermore, under this formula ACLU
Nebraska receives a subsidy from the national ACLU covering most of ACLU
Nebraska’s staff salaries. Thus, almost all of your donation to the ACLU
Nebraska Foundation is used to fund litigation and public education
directly.Top
Ways of giving to the ACLU Nebraska
Foundation
ACLU Nebraska Foundation and the ACLU
Nebraska Foundation are as strong as our volunteers and donors make it.
Every lawsuit and public education activity is the direct result of the
participation and gifts of people who care about the Bill of Rights. You
can contribute to the Bill of Rights’ protection in any of the following
ways:
- Cash or Check: We are pleased to accept your donation at any time.
Monthly, quarterly, or annual pledges are welcome.
- Community Service Fund (workplace giving): Many businesses in Lincoln take part
in the annual United Way/CHAD Community Service Fund (CSF) joint
campaign. ACLU Nebraska is a member of the Community Service Fund, and
donations can be made directly to ACLU Nebraska through the CSF joint
campaign. Call the ACLU Nebraska office to find out whether your place of
employment is part of the CSF campaign or if you want information on how
to get your employer involved with the CSF campaign.
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Insurance:
You may choose to name the ACLU Nebraska Foundation or ACLU Nebraska as a
primary or secondary beneficiary of an insurance policy.
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Bequests:
In your will or revocable trust you can designate ACLU Nebraska or the
ACLU Nebraska Foundation as beneficiary.
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Gift Annuities: By donating cash or securities, you can receive income on
the gift for your lifetime, while still providing support for the ACLU
Nebraska Foundation in the future. Tax advantages can be substantial,
depending on your individual situation.
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Charitable Trusts: Charitable trusts can be arranged to benefit the
ACLU Nebraska while providing tax advantages and a variety of financial
planning options to you and your family.
The national ACLU currently has two programs
that benefit both the ACLU and ACLU Nebraska. The DeSilver Society
is the ACLU’s planned giving program. The Trust for the Bill of
Rights is the new endowment program that will give ACLU and ACLU
Nebraska the ability to protect the Bill of Rights far into the future. For
information regarding these programs, contact our office at (402) 476-8091
or by email: info@aclunebraska.org.Top
