Fundraising Campaign

| Campaign Leadership |

Top Two Campaign Highlights:

1. Ambassador John Langeloth Loeb, Jr. generously sponsored the 2008/2009 First Freedom Student Competition, the First Freedom Center's annual essay competition for secondary school students nationwide.

2. The First Freedom Center's new major donors include, among others, The John L. Loeb, Jr. Foundation, the Henry Luce Foundation, The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia, and Universal Corporation.

Campaign News

With the opening of the First Freedom Center’s space at 1321 E. Main Street and a dramatic expansion of educational programs, the Center has more momentum than ever before!

First Freedom Center leadership has met with hundreds of talented and influential people in Richmond and beyond, increasing awareness of the Center’s ever growing programmatic “footprint” and garnering essential campaign support.

FFC Development / Programming Highlights

1. Educational Programming. The First Freedom Center continues to host its annual student competition. The Center has also produced a teaching manual and video entitled, The Constitution and Religion in the Classroom, based on the “Framing the Debate” series, which featured two experts from opposing sides of the issue of religion in public schools and the public square.  This booklet and DVD has been requested by more than 9,200 educators and individuals from across the country, from whom many positive reviews have been received. Click here to learn more.

The Center also hosts Footprints of Religious Freedom.  In this summer teachers' institute, educators re-examine Virginia and U.S. History through the lens of religious institutions and believers who participated in them, learning how they impacted the laws, the politics, and the social movements in Virginia and the nation.  

The First Freedom Center is working on other new projects, including a website for schoolchildren featuring educational materials relating to the ten-year anniversary of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA), and a children’s web site that will be an academic tool for teaching children about religious freedom and diversity, while also providing a resource base for teachers. 

2. 14th and Main Street Property and Exhibit. Renovations are complete and staff has moved into to this long-ignored but historically significant stretch of buildings, which the Center purchased for office and exhibit space, as well as apartment rental space. The First Freedom Center, together with the local design firm, Riggs Ward, has installed in these offices a learning experience, entitled Faces of Religious Freedom.  This exhibit is also accessible on the website as a virtual web based exhibit presentation, with corresponding display illustrations. Visitors to both the physical and virtual exhibits will gain a deeper understanding of the Center’s mission and the significance of religious freedom in America and around the world.


3. First Freedom Awards Dinner. Every year the Center honors distinguished champions of religious freedom with Virginia, National and International First Freedom Awards. Winners are honored at a world class gala, attended by hundreds of religious freedom supporters. Proceeds from the dinner go to the Center's educational programs. Read the biographies of this year's winners!

4. First Freedom Center Comprehensive Campaign.  The comprehensive campaign to build the First Freedom Center is a multi-year effort to raise capital funds and operating reserves to build a national education center dedicated to providing educational programs, materials and exhibits about religious freedom as an American historical development, as a contemporary controversy, and as an international human right.

The first phase of the First Freedom Center is located at the corner of 14th and Main Streets in downtown Richmond, VA.  These renovated buildings currently house the Center's offices and meeting space and an exhibit entitled, Faces of Religious Freedom, where the lives and deeds of individuals who have helped define the concept of religious freedom are explored.  The exhibit space also features an interactive conference area where visitors can learn about the ideals and history behind religious freedom.  Visitors to the exhibit will gain a deeper understanding of the Center's mission and the significance of religious freedom in America and around the world.

How You Can Help

If you would like to contribute your time, talent, information or financial resources, please go to How You Can Help.

Financial Contributions. Gifts to the First Freedom Campaign can provide lasting recognition and tribute to a family, individual, business or foundation. Each gift will be recognized appropriately as determined by the donor and the First Freedom Center.

An investment in the First Freedom Center Campaign may be characterized as a charitable expense pursuant to Section 162 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Center assists donors who wish to plan their gifts to achieve the greatest benefit under current tax regulations. Please contact the Center or your tax advisor for assistance.