History of the ACLU of Iowa
Founded in 1935, the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa is the nation's fifth oldest state affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU-IA is a non-profit membership organization with over 3,500 statewide supporters and members. The ACLU-IA promotes and defends the values reflected in the Bill of Rights through public advocacy, lobbying and litigation.
The ACLU Foundation of Iowa was founded in 1969. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity, all donations it receives are tax-deductible. The Foundation is a separate corporation under which the affiliate's legal program operates. The highly focused mission of the Foundation is to protect and advance fundamental personal liberties and rights such as those embodied within the Bill of Rights.
In November 2005, as part of a nationwide effort to create a shared visual identity among the national organization and its more than 50 affiliates, the Iow Civil Liberties Union Board of Directors voted to change the organization's name to the "American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa," or "ACLU-IA." The Iowa affiliate was only the eighth to restructure its name following the national ACLU adoption of a new logo in 2003. The board's decision to restrusture its name also enabled the Iowa affiliate to utilize the new national logo as well.
While most advocacy organizations represent a constituency, the ACLU represents a set of principles. It is important that the autonomous affiliates are perceived as allied behind these principles, because that perception gives strength to our overall movement. People who support civil liberties are a nationwide force to be reckoned with, and our nationwide professional-looking brand identity powerfully makes that statement.
The name change to the ACLU of Iowa recognizes the reality that all of our members are, in fact, members of the both the ACLU and the Iowa affiliate. The affiliate name conveys our commitment to the state of Iowa and sensitivity to local needs by keeping Iowa in our organization’s name and logo. Sharing a common name, but providing for each affiliate’s distinct identity, will convey stature and stability. The new shared visual identity will convey a unified image for the entire ACLU organization.
While our name changed, our nearly 75 year tradition of dedication to the defense of civil liberties in Iowa obviously did not. The ACLU of Iowa is an integral, vital part of a powerful national ACLU, united in principle and purpose to the defense of our U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights."