About Freedom Foundation

About Freedom Foundation

WHO WE ARE

The Freedom Foundation is more than a think tank. We’re more than an action tank. We’re a battle tank that’s battering the entrenched power of left-wing government union bosses who represent a permanent lobby for bigger government, higher taxes, and radical social agendas.

Through education, litigation, legislation, and community activation we have liberated public employees from political exploitation.

1991

Year Founded

Former Washington State Rep. Bob Williams and Lynn Harsh create the Evergreen Freedom Foundation, 
envisioning a traditional think tank advancing free-market, limited government ideals.

199K+

Total US Opt Outs

The Freedom Foundation doesn’t have— and doesn’t want — the power to force workers to leave their union. All we do is inform them they have a constitutional right to do so.
And when we 
do, they opt out in droves.

$558,083,167

Cost the union

When government employees opt out, their dues deductions disappear and unions can no longer continue to fund a radical political agenda with someone else’s money.

30+

Years in Service

The Freedom Foundation had already been battling Big Labor for more than 20 years by the time the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the right of public employees to decline or fund a union.

OUR MISSION

The Freedom Foundation promotes free markets and limited, accountable government
at every level. We do this by taking on the largest, most relentless obstacle to these
objectives — public-sector unions that claim to represent workers but only want to
plunder their paychecks and use the money to fund radical political candidates and causes.

ADVANCED INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY

At its heart, the battle to liberate workers from union bondage is all about the freedom to choose. Workers happy with their union are free to stay, but those who want out get our help. Lots of it.

FREE ENTERPRISE

Capitalism isn’t just another economic system. It’s the fairest, most just medium of exchange ever tried because nothing happens until buyers and sellers come to a voluntary agreement.

LIMITED & ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT

In America, government doesn’t rule its citizens. It serves them. By definition, the arrangement requires transparency and the ability for taxpayers to see what they get for their hard-earned money.

OUR HISTORY

From our humble beginnings, the Freedom Foundation has grown over the years to become the foremost authority on public sector unions and strives to help public sector workers know their rights.

1991
FOUNDED
Bob Williams and Lyn Harsh launch the Evergreen Freedom Foundation around the dinner table in Lynn’s Olympia home.
1991
2007
Davenport Decision
The United States Supreme Court case held that it does not violate first amendment rights for the state to require public sector labor unions to receive affirmative authorization from non-members before spending that non-member agency shop fees for election related purposes.
2007
2014
Tom McCabe as CEO
Tom McCabe took the helm in 2014 and changed the foundation's focus to fighting government unions by freeing public employees from union bondage.
2014
2014
Harris V Quinn
The United States Supreme Court rules that quasi-public employees are not required to be members of the union and that paying fees to the union violates first amendment rights.
2014
2018
Janus V AFSCME
The United States Supreme Court hold that requiring public employees to pay agency fees is in violation of their right to free speech, compelling them to subsidize private speech on matters of substantial public concerns.
2018
2021
Aaron Withe As CEO
Aaron Withe takes over as CEO with the goal to expand McCabe's vision. In his first year he led the foundation to a record-breaking year of growth.
2021
Today
Current Mission
The Freedom Foundation has spread nation-wide under the guidance of Aaron Withe and actively educates and assists public employees across the United States that they can opt out of having their hard-earned money spent by corrupt government unions.
Today

We've been seen on

Our dedicated team strives to inform the public through every channel available to us, and has been featured on many popular news and information outlets.

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