How to become an ACLU member?

Asked by: Maxime Brown  |  Last update: May 5, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (32 votes)

To become an ACLU member, visit the national ACLU website, choose a donation amount (starting around $20-$30), provide your details, and sign up online with a credit card or PayPal; you'll get a membership card and newsletters, supporting their work on civil liberties nationwide, with options to join state chapters too.

Can you become a member of ACLU?

The ACLU is non-profit and non-partisan. Become an ACLU member now & help protect everyone's rights. When you join, you'll receive your membership card in the mail. Contributions to the American Civil Liberties Union are not tax deductible.

What is the ACLU $19 a month?

The ACLU's "$19 a month" is a common donation request in their ads, encouraging support for defending civil liberties, with the specific amount chosen because it's just under $20, making it seem less costly while providing significant annual support ($228/year) for their legal and advocacy work, especially for issues like voting and reproductive rights.
 

Does the ACLU need volunteers?

The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California (ACLU SoCal) is currently accepting applications for interns, externs, and volunteers to work in our Los Angeles, Orange County (Santa Ana), Inland Empire (San Bernardino), and Kern County (Bakersfield) offices.

How does the ACLU get paid?

The ACLU is non-partisan and non-profit. We do not receive any government funding. Our work is supported by member dues as well as contributions and grants from private foundations and individuals. Gifts made to the ACLU directly fund crucial litigation, communications and public education initiatives.

How-To Become An ACLU Lawyer

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Is it worth joining the ACLU?

The ACLU protects every person's private decisions about what to believe and say, if and how to worship, who to love, and when and whether or not to have children. We take on politicians and government officials who ignore the Constitution and put liberty at risk.

What is the salary of the CEO of ACLU?

The salary for the ACLU's Executive Director and CEO, Anthony D. Romero, varies slightly by reporting year but has been around $900,000 to over $1.1 million, with one source showing $1,141,385 and another $940,312, reflecting compensation for the national organization's top leader as reported in nonprofit filings, while other senior staff salaries are lower but still substantial, reflecting management of a large organization.
 

What is the golden rule of volunteering?

The Golden Rule of Volunteering is to treat others (the community, fellow volunteers, staff) as you would want to be treated, emphasizing empathy, respect, clear communication, and putting the needs of those being served first, while also ensuring volunteers feel valued and supported, creating a positive, productive, and mutually beneficial experience. It means being reliable, humble, and understanding that volunteering should be a joyful giving, not a burden. 

Can I volunteer to work for free?

Yes, people can volunteer to work for free, especially for non-profit, charitable, religious, or humanitarian organizations, as long as it's done freely, without expectation of compensation, and doesn't displace paid workers or involve commercial activities. However, it's generally illegal to volunteer for for-profit businesses in roles that would otherwise be paid, though some internships or practice tasks are permitted under strict guidelines. The key is that it's genuine public service, not disguised employment. 

What are some famous ACLU cases?

Some Highlights

  • 1920 - Palmer Raids.
  • 1925 - The Scopes Case.
  • 1942 - Fighting the Internment of Japanese Americans.
  • 1954 - Brown v. Board of Education.
  • 1969 - Protecting Free Speech.
  • 1973 - Reproductive Rights.
  • 1978 - Taking a Stand for Free Speech in Skokie.
  • 1981 - Creationism in Arkansas.

Who gives more to charity, liberals or conservatives?

Our meta-analysis results suggest that political conservatives are significantly more charitable than liberals at an overall level, but the relationship between political ideology and charitable giving varies under different scenarios.

Does the ACLU cost money?

The ACLU is supported by dues and more than $50 million in contributions annually from individuals and grants from foundations, and receives no government funding. It does not charge its clients. The ACLU Foundation is the tax-deductible, 501(c)(3) arm of the ACLU.

Did Billie Eilish donate $11.5 million?

Yes, Billie Eilish donated $11.5 million from her "Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour," directed to charities supporting climate justice, food equity, and carbon pollution reduction, announced in late 2025. The funds were processed through her "Changemaker Program" and came partly from "Changemaker" premium concert tickets, with proceeds benefiting various environmental and social organizations. 

Does the ACLU support LGBTQ?

Yes, the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) strongly supports LGBTQ+ rights, working to end discrimination and ensure equal treatment, autonomy, and freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals through legal action, advocacy, and public education on issues like marriage equality, workplace protections, and combating anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
 

What are the 5 examples of civil liberties?

Five key civil liberties, often rooted in the U.S. Bill of Rights, are freedom of speech, religion, the press, assembly, and the right to petition, all protected under the First Amendment, alongside fundamental rights like due process and protection against unreasonable search and seizure. These rights safeguard individual freedoms against government overreach, ensuring personal expression, fair treatment in the legal system, and privacy.
 

How do I become a civil rights activist?

You can enter the field through volunteering and internships; they're just as important as taking the right classes or reading the right books. Hands-on experience also creates invaluable connections to organizations and other activists, which expands your ability to make a difference and learn from others.

Where can I volunteer and stay for free?

HelpX is an online listing of host organic farms, farmstays, hobby farms, lifestyle blocks, homestays, ranches, lodges, backpackers hostels and even sailing boats who invite volunteer helpers to stay with them short-term in exchange for food and accommodation.

Is there a downside to volunteering?

Yes, there are downsides to volunteering, including time commitment, potential for emotional burnout or stress, personality conflicts, unpaid costs (especially abroad), disorganization, feeling under-appreciated, or even encountering ineffective programs, but these can often be managed by setting boundaries and choosing the right opportunity. 

What is the best volunteer job for introverts?

Great volunteer options for introverts focus on tasks with minimal small talk, like animal care (shelters, rescues), environmental work (cleanups, gardening), behind-the-scenes support (organizing, data entry, transcription), or one-on-one mentoring/delivery roles, allowing deep contribution without draining social energy, with many roles available remotely or in quiet settings. 

What not to do when volunteering?

The Don'ts of Volunteering

Volunteering should be a fulfilling experience, not a stressful one. Avoid overcommitting your time and energy, as burnout can hinder your ability to make a positive impact. Balance your volunteer work with your personal life and other responsibilities.

What are the four C's of volunteering?

There isn't one single definition, but common "4 C's" of volunteering focus on aspects like Commitment, Communication, Connection, Counting (for impact) in business programs, or Confidence, Care, Commitment, Courage for youth development, emphasizing personal growth and community spirit. Other frameworks highlight principles like Cooperation, Communication, Coordination, Collaboration for disaster relief, focusing on organizational teamwork. 

What are the three R's for volunteering?

The three R's for effective volunteer management are Recruitment, Retention, and Recognition, focusing on attracting new volunteers, keeping them engaged and committed, and showing appreciation for their contributions to build a strong, sustainable program. Organizations use strategies like targeted outreach for recruitment, meaningful work for retention, and thank-you notes or events for recognition to ensure volunteers feel valued and continue their service.
 

Who is the CEO that pays everyone $70k?

The CEO known for paying employees $70k is Dan Price, former CEO of Gravity Payments, who famously cut his own $1.1 million salary in 2015 to establish a $70,000 minimum wage for his staff, a move that significantly boosted revenue, retention, and employee well-being, though he later resigned amid legal issues. 

What is St. Jude's CEOs salary?

The CEO of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, James R. Downing, had total compensation around $2.4 million in 2024 (from 2023 data), while former CEO Richard Shadyac received over $1.4 million as an Ex-Officio Director, according to recent filings, with Downing's salary fluctuating but generally over $1 million annually, reflecting executive pay for leading large non-profits. 

Who is the richest CEO in the world?

Highest Paid CEO in the World: Elon Musk is the highest paid CEO in the world with earnings around $23.5 billion. Following him are other big names like Tim Cook of Apple, Sundar Pichai of Alphabet (Google's parent company), Jensen Huang of Nvidia, and Reed Hastings of Netflix.