Investing in Freedom's Future

About the Campaign

Freedom House counters the threat of authoritarianism through high-level advocacy. We are proud of what this work has achieved—including helping secure bipartisan passage of the Global Magnitsky Act, which authorizes the president to sanction serious human rights abusers. We also work with democratic governments to stop cross-border attacks on dissidents and to win the release of political prisoners. We are a key partner to those on the front lines of freedom across the globe seeking to transition their countries to democracy.

Over the next five years, this campaign will strengthen our capacity to meet this moment—by sustaining trusted analysis, expanding direct support to rights defenders, and investing in new work to push back against authoritarian abuses. 

Priority Areas for Support: Where Your Investment Goes

Freedom in the World

For 53 years, Freedom in the World has delivered the world’s most widely cited independent assessment of political rights and civil liberties, covering more than 200 countries and territories. It informs diplomacy and foreign policy, sanctions decisions, investment strategies, academic research, and journalistic inquiry. Endowing this report offers one of the field’s defining philanthropic opportunities.

Direct Support to Frontline Activists

Since 2007, our emergency assistance programs have supported more than 63,000 activists and survivors across 170 countries with relocation, legal aid, medical care, and secure technology. We have also supported more than 5,000 human rights organizations working in restricted civic spaces. Your gift can help a family flee religious persecution, equip journalists with tools to stay safe, or fund the lawyer standing between a rights defender and a prison cell.

Countering Authoritarianism and Freeing Political Prisoners

Freedom House convenes coalitions, advises governments, and exposes how autocrats use political imprisonment to silence democracy’s defenders. Free Them All: The Fred Hiatt Program to Free Political Prisoners elevates urgent cases and fights for activists, journalists, and rights defenders unjustly detained worldwide.

Expanding Work to Defend Religious Freedom

Religious communities—from Christians in China to Bahá’í in Iran to Muslims in Myanmar—face grave abuses worldwide. Since 2025, Freedom House has addressed more than 96 instances of religious persecution and assisted 396 persecuted individuals across 14 countries and diverse faith communities. Expanding this work offers a compelling opportunity for donors motivated by faith, conscience, and the universal right to worship freely—or not at all.

Assessing and Strengthening US Democracy

The United States cannot credibly champion democracy abroad if it fails to defend democratic values at home. Our work on US democracy—including the rule of law, civic space, and America’s role as a democratic leader—has never been more urgent. Donors who believe the United States must lead by example can make a powerful impact by supporting this work.

Harnessing AI to Fight Authoritarianism

Authoritarians use AI to surveil activists, censor the internet, and manipulate information. Freedom House is exploring AI-powered tools to expose disinformation networks, protect activists through advanced digital security, and build early-warning systems that detect democratic backsliding before it becomes irreversible. Supporting this work means investing in technology that protects freedom’s future.

A Permanent Home and Base for Operations

A permanent Freedom House headquarters in Washington, DC, would anchor our presence in the nation’s capital as the leading US organization dedicated to defending global democracy. A stable base would strengthen our convening power, preserve institutional knowledge on resisting autocracy, and signal permanence to partners, donors, and the authoritarian leaders we confront.

85th Anniversary Reserve Fund

An unrestricted gift to this fund supports operating costs, strengthens long-term financial stability, and reinforces our ability to spotlight emerging threats, counter authoritarianism, and support journalists, activists, and rights defenders worldwide.

How to Give

Freedom House welcomes gifts of all kinds and partners with donors to structure commitments that match philanthropic goals, tax planning needs, and timelines. Our development team can discuss any opportunity on this page. Learn about other ways to give to Freedom House here. 

• Outright Gift: Cash, wire transfer, check, or publicly traded securities.
• Multiyear Pledge: Fulfill a transformational commitment over three to five years. Naming recognition granted upon pledge execution.
• Qualified Charitable Distribution: Donors aged 70½+ may give tax-free directly from an IRA, satisfying required minimum distributions.
• Donor-advised Fund: Grants from donor-advised funds (DAFs) are welcome. Please reference “Campaign for Freedom’s Future” in your recommendation.
• Estate and Legacy Gift: A bequest, trust designation, or beneficiary designation on an IRA or life insurance policy is welcome. All naming opportunities may be secured through a testamentary commitment. Legacy donors are recognized immediately upon communicating their intent as part of the Willkie Roosevelt Legacy Society.

Further Information:

Freedom House is a nonpartisan 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Freedom House Tax ID Number: 13-1656647.

Questions?

If you experience problems with any of these methods, or wish to discuss alternative payment arrangements, please contact the Development Department at [email protected] or call 202-520-8406.