The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is the nation’s most prominent non-partisan guardian of freedom, with more than 1.5 million members, supporters, and affiliate or national chapter offices in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Since 1920, the ACLU has continuously worked tirelessly to defend and preserve individual rights and liberties guaranteed to everyone in this country by the Constitution and the laws of the United States.
Our Board of Directors comprises community leaders with expertise in many areas that help advance our organization and mission. It is responsible for continuously maintaining the organization’s strategic and financial health.
Inherent Worth and Dignity
We believe in the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals. All people should be equally included, empowered, treated justly and fairly, and be free from oppression.
Rights and Liberty
We work to ensure that federal and state laws enshrine rights and liberties, and that those rights are recognized and upheld, including interpreting the laws to advance racial and indigenous justice and equity.
Transparency, Truth, and Accountability
The cornerstones of democracy and justice are transparency, truth, and accountability. Governmental bodies are accountable to the people they serve and must be transparent in decisions that affect individuals and communities. Information shared with the public must be true and accurate, and misinformation should be countered with facts.
Inclusion and Democracy
Democracy works best when the people have a meaningful voice and are able to participate in our political process. We trust and value the democratic process and encourage structures of participatory democracy. Communities have a right to be educated, empowered, and engaged in issues that affect them.
Internal Health
We must sustain our health as an organization to fulfill our mission and support our values. We believe in fiduciary responsibility and care of staff and volunteers, applying our values internally as well as externally. We strive for a culture of belonging for all within our organization, one that respects and embraces differences, treats people equitably, and empowers staff and the Board to do their best possible work.
The ACLU of Utah, chartered in 1958, operates through public education, legal advocacy, litigation, and lobbying at the state and local levels to ensure the constitutional rights and freedoms of everyone living in or visiting Utah. We base our work on those principles outlined in the Bill of Rights.
We continue to strive for an America free of discrimination against people with disabilities, where they are valued, integrated members of society with full access to education, homes, health care, jobs, voting, and beyond.
Like the Constitution’s framers, the ACLU maintains that freedom of speech and expression, including the right to protest and petition the government, are fundamental to a democratic society.
Through litigation, legal advocacy, and public education, the ACLU of Utah works to protect the basic rights and liberties of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people.
The ACLU has been one of the nation's leading advocates for the rights of immigrants, refugees, and non-citizens, challenging unconstitutional laws and practices and countering the myths upon which many of these laws are based.
The ACLU is committed to defending tribal sovereignty and the rights of Indigenous peoples to be free from discrimination and governmental abuse of power.
Through litigation, legal advocacy, and public education, the ACLU of Utah protects the civil rights and liberties of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people.
Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy and a fundamental right upon which all our civil liberties rest.
Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, we are dedicated to ensuring that Utah's prisons, jails, and other places of detention comply with the Constitution, domestic law, and international human rights principles.
Years have passed since 9/11, yet our nation still faces the challenge of remaining both safe and free. Our choice is not, as some would have it, between safety and freedom.
Differences in opportunity continue to negatively affect people of color, and discrimination against racial minorities often leads to dramatically unequal outcomes in a broad spectrum of areas including, education, employment, and even rates of incarceration.
ACLU Utah works to ensure that every person can make the best decision for themselves and their family about whether and when to have a child without undue political interference.
Prosecutorial and parole reform are the focus of the ACLU’s Campaign for Smart Justice in Utah. Our goals include reducing incarceration rates by 50% and combating racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
The ACLU of Utah plays an active role in creating and guiding policies that protect and expand civil liberties in our state. Today, years of hard-fought civil liberty protections are under threat — and to influence policy, we need everyone to get involved.
In school, young people not only learn about their constitutional rights but also see firsthand how those rights may be affected by the actions of others. The ACLU of Utah is dedicated to protecting students' constitutional rights and helping them understand their rights in school.
Help us defend and expand the principles and freedoms that rightfully make our nation great by becoming a member of the ACLU of Utah or making a tax-deductible donation to the ACLU of Utah Foundation!
Transparency is crucial to our identity. Here, you can learn about our structure and funding and how to donate or become a member.
Our Structure
The ACLU of Utah is a not-for-profit and non-partisan organization, meaning we do not endorse or oppose any political candidates or parties. We're comprised of two separate corporate entities: the ACLU of Utah Union and the ACLU of Utah Foundation. This website and all digital content are owned and operated by the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah, our 501(c)(4) organization.
Our Funding
The ACLU of Utah receives no government funding. Our funding is through the support of nearly 7,000 Utahns membership dues, private donations, small foundation grants, and court-awarded legal fees.
As Utahns continue to seek recognition and respect for the civil rights and civil liberties of everyone in our state, our Strategic Priorities plan provides a guide to focus our priorities, ensure sustainability and longevity, and remain adaptable to respond to unforeseen challenges and exciting new opportunities.
We release an annual report each year so you can see how we have impacted the civil rights and liberties of all people in Utah.