American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska Foundation

The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing and protecting the civil liberties of Alaskans through litigation, advocacy, and public education. As a part of the broader American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) network, it shares goals with its parent organization, focusing on constitutional protections and human rights.

Mission

The ACLU of Alaska Foundation strives to ensure equal rights and protections for historically marginalized groups, including people of color, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, prisoners, and Alaska Native peoples. Its mission encompasses addressing a wide range of constitutional violations and civil liberties issues.

Activities and Achievements

• Legal Action: The foundation is involved in landmark judicial decisions, such as securing the constitutional right of transgender individuals to have their gender marker corrected on driver’s licenses. It has also challenged discriminatory practices, including the lack of non-English voting materials for Alaska Native voters.
• Advocacy and Education: The ACLU of Alaska Foundation engages in legislative advocacy, coalition building, and public education to promote informed awareness and support for civil liberties issues.
• Reproductive Rights: It works to defend Alaskan women’s reproductive rights against legislative attempts to restrict them.
• Prisoner Rights: The organization defends the rights of mentally ill prisoners, ensuring they have access to parole considerations.

Structure and Funding

Like other ACLU affiliates, the ACLU of Alaska Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which allows donations to be tax-deductible. This is distinct from its counterpart, the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska, which is classified as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization and focuses on legislative advocacy and grassroots work.

Support and Impact

Through its activities, the ACLU of Alaska Foundation plays a critical role in safeguarding constitutional rights and advancing social justice in Alaska, contributing to the broader ACLU mission to protect and expand civil liberties across the United States.