The Foundation for Harmony and Prosperity is a libertarian-leaning organization founded by Chris Rufer, head of the Morning Star Company in Sacramento, California. ^{1 2}

The group affirms what it calls the “Natural Principle of Human Respect,” rejecting all forms of violence or theft, whether carried out by individuals or the government. ³

Background

The Foundation for Harmony and Prosperity seeks to persuade people to act “in all aspects of their lives, in concert with social principles that advance human happiness, harmony, and prosperity.” The organization says it promotes the “philosophy of human respect.” ⁴

The organization says it conducts research activities related to acquiring behavioral and psychographic data and insights for education and messaging. ⁵

The group says that adhering to what it calls the “Natural Principle of Human Respect… Human Happiness, Harmony, and Prosperity” will decrease the likelihood that someone will engage in violence or theft. ⁶

The foundation contends that similar to the law of gravity, theft and violence will always reduce happiness and prompt more theft and violence, which will, in turn, produce more unhappiness. ⁷

The foundation contends most individuals agree that violence and theft are wrong. However, the group contends most people seem to accept “exception agency delegation.” That, the group says, is when people delegate to the government laws and actions that involve taking from people through taxation and rules and using penalties that include violent force to enforce laws. ⁸

The group says its vision is when communities have no coercion and rely “exclusively on persuasion and voluntary relationships,” and that no individual will support the use of physical force or fraud on their behalf. ⁹

Activity

CiVL, a libertarian streaming platform, partnered with the Foundation for Harmony and Prosperity to expand its reach. The foundation provided growth funding for the platform and will have a content channel. ¹⁰

In May 2024, the foundation launched a new website, RespectAmerica.org, to highlight people who have been harmed by government coercion. ¹¹

The foundation gave $12,000 to Project Veritas. ¹²

Founder

Chris J. Rufer is the president of the Foundation for Harmony and Prosperity. ¹³ Rufer founded a tomato company, Morning Star Company, in Sacramento, California. ¹⁴

1. Minnar, Joost. “Morning Star’s Success Story: No Bosses, No Titles, No Structural Hierarchy.” Corporate Rebels. November 14, 2016. Accessed August 2, 2024. https://www.corporate-rebels.com/blog/morning-star
2. “Foundation for Harmony and Prosperity.” Cause IQ. Accessed August 2, 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-foundation-for-harmony-and-prosperity,943326027/
3. “About.” Foundation for Harmony and Prosperity. Accessed August 2, 2024. https://www.harmonyandprosperity.org/about
4. “Foundation for Harmony and Prosperity.” LinkedIn. Accessed August 2, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/company/harmonyandprosperity/
5. “Foundation for Harmony and Prosperity.” Cause IQ. Accessed August 2, 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-foundation-for-harmony-and-prosperity,943326027/
6.  “About.” Foundation for Harmony and Prosperity. Accessed August 2, 2024. https://www.harmonyandprosperity.org/about
7.  Babka, Jim. “Human Respect in One Lesson.” Foundation for Harmony and Prosperity. Accessed August 2, 2024. https://www.harmonyandprosperity.org/one-lesson
8. Babka, Jim. “Human Respect in One Lesson.” Foundation for Harmony and Prosperity. Accessed August 2, 2024. https://www.harmonyandprosperity.org/one-lesson
9. “About.” Foundation for Harmony and Prosperity. Accessed August 2, 2024. https://www.harmonyandprosperity.org/about
10.  Press Release. “CiVL – The Streaming Platform of The Liberty Movement.” March 29, 2024. Accessed August 2, 2024. https://www.theadvocates.org/civl-the-streaming-platform-of-the-liberty-movement/
11. Drigotas, Conner. “Wrapping up the [redacted] project.” ConnorDrigotas.com. June 25, 2024. Accessed August 2, 2024. https://connerdrigotas.com/wrapping-up-the-redacted-project/
12. Taggart, Kendall. “Here Are Some of Project Veritas’s Funders.” BuzzFeed. November 29 2017. Accessed August 2, 2024. https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kendalltaggart/some-of-project-veritass-donors-express-reservations-about
13. “Foundation for Harmony and Prosperity.” Cause IQ. Accessed August 2, 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-foundation-for-harmony-and-prosperity,943326027/
14. Minnar, Joost. “Morning Star’s Success Story: No Bosses, No Titles, No Structural Hierarchy.” Corporate Rebels. November 14, 2016. Accessed August 2, 2024. https://www.corporate-rebels.com/blog/morning-star