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Who We Are

Engaging, relevant, non-partisan civic education is critical to uniting Americans. As a national non-profit charity with over 75 years of experience, we lead the way with immersive programs for students, teachers, and citizens.

Our mission

Founding Forward informs and engages citizens through transformational educational experiences grounded in American history. 

These experiences enable students, teachers, and citizens to understand, appreciate, and practice the principles, rights, and responsibilities of American citizenship.

Building on generations of civic education leadership​​

Founding Forward was formed through the merger of two long-standing American institutions: The Union League Legacy Foundation, founded in 1947, and Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, founded in 1949. For generations, the two organizations have recognized Americans who uphold the foundations of our democratic system of government and educated future leaders to carry those founding principles forward. Based on their decades-long partnership, they united around a shared goal: to ensure a future rooted in liberty.

Rooted in history

Founding Forward is the successor charity of previous charitable organizations associated with the Union League. The civic and charitable work of the League has always been central since its founding in 1862, thanks to the longtime dedication of League members through time, talent, and treasure.

A continuing legacy

Follow our timeline to learn the history of our organization, and how we got to where we are today!
Original articles of association for the Union League of Philadelphia
December 27, 1862
The Union League of Philadelphia was founded. The League was created with a civic mission to save the Union and support the policies of President Abraham Lincoln.
Learn more about the Union League
Daily Evening Bulletin article showing a drawing of the Union League of Philadelphia house
May 11, 1865
The Union League of Philadelphia dedicated and opened the League House in Center City Philadelphia at Broad and Sansom Streets. The building was built by the renowned architect, John Fraser.
Ceremonial silver trowel with an ivory handle and inscription
October 9, 1909
A cornerstone ceremony marks the start of construction for the 15th Street addition of the League House, designed and built by League member Horace Trumbauer in the Beaux style.
Antique print of the Union League of Philadelphia
September 2, 1911
The League completed construction to open the back half of the League House, completing the property that stands today.
Statue of Abraham Lincoln by Jakob Otto Schweizer
November 24, 1917
The Union League dedicated the Lincoln Memorial Room in the 15th Street addition as a space to honor the League’s guiding spirit, President Abraham Lincoln. It remains one of the most iconic spaces in the League House - and a highlight on all Founding Forward history tours.
The Union League of Philadelphia Boy's Citizenship Award Dinner program
May 28, 1947
The Union League formed the then “Boys Work Committee” (later part of The Union League Legacy Foundation and now Founding Forward) to organize and host its first Good Citizenship Awards ceremony. Since then, nearly 20,000 high school students have participated in Good Citizen Day and received the Good Citizenship Award. This also was the formal start of the League’s philanthropic work.
Historical photo of Freedoms Foundation founder, President Dwight D. Eisenhower
1949
Freedoms Foundation was co-founded by General and future President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and business leaders E.F. Hutton, Kenneth D. Wells, and Don Belding to preserve American patriotism. A national awards program was launched to recognize civic duty, and the first 200 recipients were named.
Historical photo of Valley Forge
October 22, 1949
Valley Forge was chosen as the location for Freedoms Foundation. E.F. Hutton presented a dairy barn in Valley Forge to Freedoms Foundation. Adjacent to Valley Forge National Park, it is now Founding Forward’s Valley Forge campus.
November 20, 1949
President Eisenhower was named Honorary Chairman of Freedoms Foundation.
Historical photo of President Dwight D. Eisenhower making remarks
November 21, 1949
Freedoms Foundation hosted its first awards ceremony, with future President Dwight D. Eisenhower providing remarks.
1952
One month before his inauguration, then-President-Elect Dwight D. Eisenhower spoke before the Freedoms Foundation board, where he expressed his belief that the work of Freedoms Foundation was serving America. It was one of many times that President Eisenhower spoke at a Freedoms Foundation event.
1955
The Scholarship Foundation (later part of The Union League Legacy Foundation and now Founding Forward) was founded to start providing financial assistance for post-secondary education. Since then, nearly $8 million in scholarships have been awarded to more than 1,500 students.
Historical photo of the construction of the Martha Washington Building
May 1, 1960
Freedoms Foundation broke ground on the American Freedom Center, later named the Martha Washington Building, on the Valley Forge campus. President Dwight D. Eisenhower laid the cornerstone inscribed in his honor. This building currently houses administrative offices, classrooms, and a galleria for larger groups. It was the first building erected on what is now the Valley Forge campus.
Historical photo of the Delaware Valley Chapter
June, 1963
Freedoms Foundation’s first volunteer chapter is created. The Delaware Valley Chapter (now Valley Forge Chapter) formed the first volunteer action arm. Volunteers became instrumental in promoting and sponsoring students to attend programs, raising visibility, and seeking out additional contributors. Today, there are more than 20 volunteer chapters across the country that continue their work by supporting Founding Forward’s mission.
October 1, 1964
Freedoms Foundation dedicated land for its Medal of Honor Grove, honoring those members of the Armed Forces who received the highest award for valor in action against enemy forces. Today, the more than 40-acre site recognizes each of the more than 3,500 Medal of Honor recipients.
January, 1965
Freedoms Foundation’s second volunteer chapter, the Los Angeles Chapter, is created.
Historical photo of two women and a man drinking tea at a Freedoms Foundation event
1965
Freedoms Foundation expanded its mission to provide high-quality history and civic education opportunities for students and educators to emphasize the individual freedoms cherished by United States citizens.
Historical photo of the unveiling of the George Washington in Prayer statue
September 9, 1967
The George Washington in Prayer Statue was designed by artist Donald DeLuewas and created and donated to Freedoms Foundation by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania. The image became a symbolic image for Freedoms Foundation and continues on our award medals.
June 12, 1976
A 100-foot flagpole is installed on the Valley Forge campus, as a bicentennial gift from Montgomery Ward and Company, and continues to fly the American flag 24 hours a day. It is perhaps the most commonly known image of the Valley Forge campus.
Union League plaque
1979
The Union League’s League House at Broad and Sansom Streets was added to the National Historic Register. This paved the way for Founding Forward and its predecessor organizations to provide funding for historic preservation of the League House.
December, 1984
Freedoms Foundation created the Bill of Responsibilities in the early 1980’s, to promote good citizenship and active involvement to preserve and advance freedom. The first draft of the Bill of Responsibilities was presented in December 1984. This becomes a cornerstone to all Freedoms Foundation civic education programs - and now Founding Forward.
1986
After the admittance of women as members of the League, Good Citizen Day was expanded to include and recognize young women in addition to young men.
1996
The Abraham Lincoln Foundation (later part of The Union League Legacy Foundation) was founded. This Foundation was charged with caring for and sharing the history and historic collections of the League House. This evolved into providing tours of the League House, hosting interpretive exhibitions that tell unique aspects of Philadelphia history, preservation of the League House itself, and presenting speaker series programs.
February 12, 1997
The then Abraham Lincoln Foundation hosted the first of the modern Lincoln Day celebrations, with James Earl Jones as the keynote speaker.
2015
The Legacy Foundation developed a new student program, Liberty Weekend, which provides a small-group forum for students in a three-day weekend of seminars, discussions, and activities based on the founding principles of the United States, and the topics of liberty, freedom, and free enterprise.
Speaker at the Legacy Foundation
June, 2019
The Union League Legacy Foundation was formed through a merger of the three former charitable organizations (Abraham Lincoln Foundation, Scholarship Foundation, and Youth Work Foundation). The Legacy Foundation continued all of the programs of the previous organizations under one umbrella. This change made the later decision to merge with Freedoms Foundation possible.
2021
The Union League purchased the ACE Golf Club and Conference Center, adding Union League Liberty Hill to its amenities. This location is now home to Founding Forward’s teacher programs.
January 1, 2024
The Union League Legacy Foundation and Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge merge to form Founding Forward, pursuing their shared goal with greater resources, more reach, and a bigger impact. All programs, assets, and resources—including local chapters—continue as part of Founding Forward.

Help us inspire tomorrow’s leaders

Founding Forward’s work and mission is made possible through voluntary contributions. We need your support to ensure a future rooted in liberty. Please join our efforts to uphold our democratic system of government with your tax-deductible contribution.

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