Although there is some overlap in the work done by each organization, certain activities the ACLU of MAINE 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 Maine 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 MAINE Foundation's may engage in lobbying activities. Therefore, most of the lobbying activity done by the ACLU of MAINE and discussed in this Web site is done by the Maine Civil Liberties Union. By contrast, most of the ACLU of MAINE's litigation and communication efforts described in this Web site are done by the ACLU of MAINE Foundation.
You may make a contribution to either the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine, the ACLU of MAINE 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 mission. A donor may make a tax-deductible gift only to the ACLU Foundation. A donor who chooses to "Join" and become a card-carrying member of the ACLU of MAINE is making a contribution to the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine. Membership dues and other gifts to the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine are not tax deductible.
