ALA Explains the Donation: Creative Fundraising Effort Benefiting the American Library Association Supports Efforts to Address Censorship and Protect the Right to Read

CHICAGO - Longtime supporter of libraries, Cards Against Humanity (CAH), organized a creative way to support the American Library Association.

CAH offered presales of a special edition product, Cards Against Humanity Explains the Joke, during Banned Books Week (October 5-11, 2025). While games manufactured abroad are subject to U.S. tariffs, the special edition informational explainer of CAH’s original irreverent party game meets tariff exemption criteria.

“We argued to Customs and Border Protection that because Cards Against Humanity Explains the Joke is a series of cards meant to be read, rather than played as part of a game, it is fundamentally similar in nature to a book or a pamphlet, which are universally accepted as classic examples of a ‘publication,’” said Josh Dillon, co-founder of Cards Against Humanity. “Distributing the pages of a book or a pamphlet in a cardboard box, rather than as a bound codex, has no bearing on whether it is a ‘publication’ or constitutes ‘informational materials.’ It’s not every day that you get to make ontological arguments to the government, but thankfully they agreed!”

CAH will donate 100% of the net proceeds from pre-orders to ALA.

“We are exceptionally grateful to CAH for their longstanding support of libraries and thankful for this recent donation, which will help ALA continue its work to protect the right to read freely,” said Sam Helmick, ALA President. Lisa Varga, Associate Executive Director, Public Policy and Advocacy, added, “this fight isn’t free. The CAH donation allows us to continue supporting librarians and library workers under attack.”

CAH has a history of supporting libraries. Any library that asks for copies of CAH’s family-friendly games receives them free of charge including Contact! which is for players 14+, and comes with a smaller expansion pack of Cards Against Humanity cards geared for 17+. 

In choosing ALA as the recipient of the donation, CAH acknowledged their love of librarians and the desire to support an organization fighting for free speech.

Is there a special “Librarians” Pack in CAH’s future? According to Dillon, “…maybe someday!”

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association is the largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to America’s libraries. The ALA mission is to empower and advocate for all libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information for all. For nearly 150 years, ALA has provided resources for information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more information, visit www.ala.org.

About Cards Against Humanity

Best-selling party game and comedy company Cards Against Humanity has a long-standing reputation for supporting charitable causes and progressive policy positions. Over the past decade, the company has donated millions of dollars to organizations including the National Network of Abortion Funds, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the Wikimedia Foundation, the Coalition for Rainforest Nations, and more. They also organize and fund a scholarship program for students in STEM.