FAQ

What is the EFA?

The Electronic Frontier Alliance (EFA) is an information-sharing network comprised of grassroots groups around the country promoting digital rights in their respective communities. The EFA is not an independent organization, and neither takes positions nor accepts donations. If you wish to support the EFA, please consider a donation to EFF.

I’m representing a company. Can we join EFA?

No. The EFA is designed for community groups, hacker spaces, local advocates and university clubs. It does not include a corporate membership option. If a group of like-minded colleagues want to form an informal autonomous affinity group, however, that group could be poised to join the EFA.

If you work for or lead a company that believes in the EFA's principles, we urge you to find ways to promote those principles both internally and externally. If you would like to support digital rights, contact EFF's membership team at membership@eff.org to learn about contributing to EFF as an Organizational Member. Please also consider reaching out to specific EFA Allies in your area.

I’m representing a nonprofit. Can we join EFA?

Yes, if you otherwise qualify. There are a number of nonprofit members of EFA, we only ask that your group have a local focus and, if a chapter, be able to act autonomously. See our list of members, review our principles, and apply for membership.

Can EFA help me start a group?

To join the EFA we ask groups have at least three active members, and have been active for at least three months. If you are just getting started, you are welcome to reach out to current EFA groups or the EFF organizing tem at organizing@eff.org for guidance. We also provide a number of useful EFA toolkits geared towards new organizers

Who does the EFA include?

Groups within the EFA span a wide spectrum of focuses and organizational models. Some are student organizations funded by universities. Others are community groups operating on an entirely volunteer basis, such as membership supported hacker spaces. What brings them together is a shared commitment to five principles that unite the Alliance and making a difference to their local community.

How is the EFA organized?

The EFA is a network of freely associating community groups, operating without charge or obligations to the EFF. Shared resources such as an email listserv and mattermost server are administered by EFF to connect organizers of EFA groups. EFF also coordinates regular frequent meetings and trainings for organizers to come together to strategize, collaborate, and built their skills.

All EFA members are fully autonomous. EFF can accept and remove members, but does not oversee the activities nor endorse all of the the position of members. Groups participating in the network remain autonomous and pursue their respective actions independently.

What is the relationship between EFF and groups that join the EFA?

EFF supplies information to groups participating in the EFA and, where possible, facilitates opportunities that EFA groups are welcome to pursue together or independently. EFF has no authority to direct groups within the EFA network.

As the EFA’s founder and coordinator, EFF reserves the right to include groups that apply to participate based on the alignment of their statements with those of the Alliance. EFF also reserves the right to remove groups from the Alliance should their actions undermine the EFA principles, or the opportunity for others to participate, in its sole discretion. EFF does not endorse commercial products or services, or the projects of EFA member groups, nor does participation in the EFA imply any joint venture or partnership with EFF. Members of the EFA are welcome to part from the alliance at any time.

Does EFF make any requests of EFA groups?

EFF encourages groups within the EFA to organize publicly accessible events and campaigns that inform, educate, inspire, and mobilize local supporters to take action promoting digital rights and the network’s uniting principles.

In order to include all who wish to participate, EFF suggests that EFA groups make their content freely available and their events accessible at no (or low) cost. Likewise, if an EFA member is unreachable without warning for a period exceeding 6 months, they will be temporarily delisted from the EFA site.

EFF also encourages groups within the EFA to adopt an anti-harassment policy that is both welcoming and respects the speech rights of all involved. Sometimes, EFF will be engaged in a digital rights battle and invite participation from the EFA groups. Groups are under no obligation to participate.

Who can answer my questions?

If you want to explore the EFA more deeply or have questions for EFF staff who help support the Alliance, please contact us at organizing@eff.org