American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, Inc. and
ACLU Foundation of Oregon, Inc.

What is the Difference?
The ACLU of Oregon comprises two separate corporate entities: the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, Inc. and the ACLU Foundation of Oregon, Inc. Having two separate entities allows the ACLU of Oregon to do a broader range of work.

Although overlap exists, certain activities must be done by one organization and not the other.

  • The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, Inc., also known as the Union, is organized as a 501(c)4 tax-exempt organization that may engage in legislative lobbying. Membership dues and other gifts given to support the lobbying effort are not tax-deductible. Most of the lobbying activity carried out by the ACLU-OR and discussed on this website is accomplished by the Union and not the Foundation.
  • The ACLU Foundation of Oregon, Inc., also known as the Foundation, is organized as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Contributions to the ACLU Foundation of Oregon, Inc. are tax-deductible. Most of the litigation and education activities, and a limited amount of lobbying activities, are done by the ACLU Foundation of Oregon, Inc.

Contributions made to either organization will be used to support, promote, and defend civil liberties. However, each organization will use only the funds contributed directly to it for the specific activities it conducts.

A donor “joining” or becoming a card-carrying member of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, Inc. also becomes a member of the national ACLU. A contribution made to the ACLU Foundation of Oregon, Inc. will be shared with the national ACLU Foundation to support our work nationwide.

This website uses the names “ACLU-OR” and “ACLU of Oregon” interchangeably to refer to both the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, Inc. and the ACLU Foundation of Oregon, Inc.