American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii and the ACLU of Hawaii Foundation: What is the Difference?

The ACLU of Hawaii comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii and the ACLU of Hawaii Foundation. Although both the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii and the ACLU of Hawaii Foundation are part of the same overall organization, it is necessary that the ACLU of Hawaii have two separate organizations in order for the ACLU of Hawaii 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 Hawaii."

Although there is some overlap in the work done by each organization, certain activities the ACLU of Hawaii 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 of Hawaii 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 ACLU of Hawaii Foundation may engage in lobbying activities. Therefore, most of the lobbying activity done by the ACLU of Hawaii and discussed in this Web site is done by the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii. By contrast, most of the ACLU's litigation and communication efforts described in this Web site are done by the ACLU of Hawaii Foundation.

You may make a contribution either to the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, the ACLU of Hawaii 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 Hawaii mission. A donor may make a tax-deductible gift only to the ACLU of Hawaii Foundation. A donor who chooses to "Join" and become a card-carrying member of the ACLU of Hawaii is making a contribution to the American Civil Liberties Union. Membership dues and other gifts to the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii are not tax deductible.

© ACLU of Hawaii, P.O. Box 3410 Honolulu, HI 96801
Ph.: (808)522-5900   Fax: (808)522-5909   Email: office@acluhawaii.org
This is the web site of the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii and the ACLU of Hawaii Foundation.
Learn more about the distinction between these two components of the ACLU.
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