Non-profit

FreedomWorks Foundation

Location:

WASHINGTON, DC

Tax ID:

52-1526916

Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2018):

Revenue: $7,185,920
Expenses: $4,973,527
Assets: $1,346,822

Formation:

2004

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FreedomWorks Foundation is the education arm of FreedomWorks, a conservative and libertarian advocacy group based in Washington, D.C. FreedomWorks trains volunteers, assists in campaigns, and encourages them to mobilize, interacting with both fellow citizens and their political representatives.

The foundation arm cannot advocate for or against political candidates, but instead focuses on countering liberal bias at universities and the media through policy research. 1

Background

The FreedomWorks Foundation is the research and education arm of FreedomWorks, a conservative-libertarian leaning advocacy group. 2 The foundation promotes lower taxes, smaller government and freedom in education. 3

The foundation arm cannot advocate for political candidates, but says it focuses on countering liberal bias at universities and the media through policy research.  4

The FreedomWorks Foundation includes the Center for Economic Freedom, which educates activists about free markets. 5

The foundation’s Regulatory Action Center also uses technology to train and support activists on how to respond in opposing government regulations. 6

History

FreedomWorks Foundation was established in 2004 through a merger of CSE FreedomWorks Foundation and Empower.org, both arms of the right-of-center group Citizens for a Sound Economy, which later became FreedomWorks. 7

FreedomWorks was established by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX) and C. Boyden Gray, who served as White House Counsel to President George H. W. Bush. Matt Kibbe was the first president and CEO. 8

When governments issued COVID-19 lockdown orders forcing a shutdown of the economy, the FreedomWorks Foundation requested federal aid from the Paycheck Protection Program, a forgivable federal loan program in the that went to employers to prevent them from laying off employees. This prompted criticism since the organization has opposed bailouts. 9

Leadership

The foundation’s website lists the same leadership for the foundation and advocacy arm. 10

Adam Brandon is the president of the FreedomWorks Foundation and also the president of FreedomWorks. 11 Brandon began working at FreedomWorks in 2005. 12

Paul Beckner is the chairman of the FreedomWorks Foundation’s board of directors. 13 Beckner, a financial manager, is a principal at Freedom Management group. 14

Noah Wall is the vice president for advocacy. Wall was previously the political director for former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R). 15

Jason Pye is the vice president of legislative affairs. Previously, he was editor of United Liberty, a libertarian-leaning blog. 16

References

  1. “FreedomWorks History.” FreedomWorks. Accessed January 28, 2021. https://www.freedomworks.org/content/freedomworks-history
  2. FreedomWorks Foundation. Cause IQ. Accessed June 18, 2021. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/freedomworks-foundation,521526916/
  3. FreedomWorks Foundation. Cause IQ. Accessed June 18, 2021. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/freedomworks-foundation,521526916/
  4. “FreedomWorks History.” FreedomWorks. Accessed January 28, 2021. https://www.freedomworks.org/content/freedomworks-history
  5. FreedomWorks Foundation. Cause IQ. Accessed June 18, 2021. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/freedomworks-foundation,521526916/
  6. FreedomWorks Foundation. Cause IQ. Accessed June 18, 2021. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/freedomworks-foundation,521526916/
  7. FreedomWorks Foundation. Alex C. Walker Foundation. Accessed June 18, 2021. https://walker-foundation.org/info/29495
  8. FreedomWorks Foundation. Alex C. Walker Foundation. Accessed June 18, 2021. https://walker-foundation.org/info/29495
  9. Vogel, Kenneth P. and Lerer, Lisa. “Opposed to Bailouts, but in This Case Willing to Take One.” The New York Times. April 24, 2020. Accessed June 18, 2021. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/24/us/politics/coronavirus-bailouts-conservative-liberal.html/
  10. Key Staff. FreedomWorks Foundation. Accessed June 18, 2021. https://foundation.freedomworks.org/leadership/key-staff/
  11. FreedomWorks Foundation. Nonprofit Light. Accessed June 18, 2021. https://nonprofitlight.com/dc/washington/freedomworks-foundation-inc
  12. Adam Brandon. FreedomWorksFoundation. Accessed June 18, 2021. https://foundation.freedomworks.org/staff/adam-brandon/
  13. FreedomWorks Foundation. Nonprofit Light. Accessed June 18, 2021. https://nonprofitlight.com/dc/washington/freedomworks-foundation-inc
  14. Paul Beckner. FreedomWorks Foundation. Accessed June 18, 2021. https://foundation.freedomworks.org/board/paul-beckner-chairman/
  15. Noah Wall. FreedomWorks Foundation. Accessed June 19, 2021. https://foundation.freedomworks.org/staff/noah-wall/
  16. Jason Pye. FreedomWorks Foundation. Accessed June 18, 2021. https://foundation.freedomworks.org/staff/jason-pye/
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: March 1, 1989

  • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2018 Dec Form 990 $7,185,920 $4,973,527 $1,346,822 $206,603 N $7,112,650 $0 $2 $368,147 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $3,938,665 $5,221,978 $1,932,236 $3,004,295 N $3,867,441 $0 $0 $227,889
    2016 Dec Form 990 $3,495,724 $3,536,818 $2,864,484 $2,653,230 N $3,416,316 $0 $76,771 $242,586
    2015 Dec Form 990 $3,537,202 $4,271,696 $1,791,610 $1,512,000 N $3,445,748 $0 $88,712 $411,206 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $5,886,965 $5,896,573 $1,723,073 $795,366 N $5,890,283 $0 $0 $519,840 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $5,430,464 $9,143,765 $1,294,519 $399,428 N $5,428,534 $0 $117 $630,547 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $7,593,774 $7,918,604 $5,788,264 $1,134,125 N $7,591,954 $0 $1 $952,774 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $9,471,199 $6,729,536 $6,403,963 $1,450,809 N $9,523,649 $0 $652 $1,070,580 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    FreedomWorks Foundation

    400 N CAPITOL ST NW STE 765
    WASHINGTON, DC 20001-1564