By. Joshua D. Glawson | United States

This is a list of libertarian and Liberty-friendly organizations. It is in no specific order of hierarchy, and each of them plays an amazing role in fighting for Liberty in the US and the world. Each of these organizations is not for profit, and they could each use your generous donations to help more students and people learn about Liberty giving Liberty itself a better fighting chance for a freer future. Along with these amazing organizations, 71Republic also accepts donations to help continue our work promoting Liberty.

The first of many organizations, FEE, The Foundation for Economic Education, has produced some of the greatest libertarian work around, from some of the greatest minds in the Liberty Movement. Two of their books are among my most recommended for students of Liberty- Clichés of Socialism, and Excuse Me, Professor: Challenging the Myths of Progressivism. Additionally, the short work, ‘I, Pencil,’ available in print and video format is a fantastic and simplistic way of introducing people into the concepts of economics, division of labor, and Justice.

If you sign up for their email list, they often have free events for students around the US that include some of the best thinkers and teachers. Lawrence W. Reed, not to be confused with their founder Leonard E. Read, is one of the nicest and most interesting scholars to have the opportunity to hear or read. You will learn some of the best rebuttals to the most common misconceptions about Liberty along with libertarian approaches to history, economics, and government. FEE also provides books, magazines, pamphlets, and other merch for students, while they also sell some on their website. Personally, I have learned more from FEE than most other organizations, and every moment was enjoyable. FEE is definitely in my top 5 organizations.

(FEE’s about page.)

Independent Institute is a fantastic organization that encompasses a list of some of the greatest professors and scholars from around the US advocating the idea of Liberty. If I were to declare another organization that will teach you more than you could have ever imagined about Liberty, this would have to be in the top 5, easily. This organization also throws free events around the US for students. I recall staying at UC Berkeley for a few days learning economics, principles, history, and understanding the growing problems in the world from a libertarian perspective, all covered by this organization. Sign up for their email list to stay informed of their work, magazine, and events.

(The Independent Institute about page.)

YAL was my first introduction to the Liberty movement and will always be dear to my heart. They help college students to start libertarian clubs on campuses, while also providing materials and other resources to learn and teach others. Some of the best events are also thrown by YAL which include speakers such as Ron Paul, David Friedman, and many others. They also provide many of these events at little to no cost for students, with only a one-time $10 initiation fee- totally worth it. Just watch out, I have noticed once Trump became president, they have collected many Trumpers with MAGA hats thumping their war rhetoric at events these days with no repudiation from the organization. Nevertheless, this is still a great organization, and they do a fantastic job getting students into the Liberty movement. I have made some dear friends and met some of my biggest Liberty idols from this organization. I highly recommend registering, and starting or joining a club on your campus (top right of their home page).

(YAL’s about page.)

SFL is a great organization that helps other organizations such as YAL and others get the materials and funding they need in order to push the Liberty movement further. In fact, when I first sat down with YAL, I also spoke with a person representing SFL, and they shared how they empower students while helping students get the books, pamphlets, and other materials to have successful libertarian clubs on campuses. They do hold some events, but tend to be more exclusive for student leaders of Liberty-friendly clubs on campuses, such as YAL. I had the pleasure of attending one of their intimate events that had, maybe, 15 students, and the phenomenal law professor and scholar from Chapman University, Tom W. Bell, in Marina Del Rey with all expenses paid by the organization. That was one of my more memorable events I have attended, and I learned so much while making some great friends. Whether or not you have a libertarian club on campus, I still recommend signing up for their email list to stay in touch with this organization (bottom of their home page).

(SFL’s about page.)

If I were to put another Liberty-friendly organization in my top 5, the Ayn Rand Institute would have to be in there. Contradictory to what most people think of when they think of Ayn Rand, this is the most generous Liberty organization I have come across to date. They provide literature from Ayn Rand and other Objectivist thinkers, including the work of Yaron Brook, Onkar Ghate, and others. This is another organization of a mixed bag of political ideologies, but consistent in the pursuit of Liberty. First and foremost, this organization focuses on the philosophy of Ayn Rand, and out of her philosophy comes a political ideology. If political philosophy of an Aristotelian origin interests you like it does for me, I highly recommend signing up to be on this organization’s email list. They also throw an event that covers college students’ flight, hotel, and materials in Atlanta every year, and it is always one of the greatest experiences of learning and making friends from around the world. When the conference days are over, it is perfect timing to hang out with the scholars, in a more relaxed setting such as a mixer, debating and discussing ideas and politics. Plus, if you are a student and really want to add some works of Ayn Rand to your growing library, this organization is happy to help out with that.

(ARI’s about page.)

(Who is Ayn Rand? page.)

This is more of an Objectivist organization from the Nathaniel Branden line of thinking, making it a little less dogmatic than that of ARI, and more relaxed in discussion. Currently headed by Jennifer Grossman, this organization does a great job at teaching basic principles of debating against the growing State and those that wish to oppress people through Communist and Socialist ideologies. They have been making some amazing videos for those interested in learning more about Ayn Rand and her philosophy. Be sure to sign up for their email updates.

(The Atlas Society’s about page.)

If you want to learn the absolute most about libertarianism, Liberty, economics, history, ideas, philosophy, debating, and much more, no one does more than the Cato Institute. This is most definitely in my top 5 Liberty organizations, and my Amazon Smile account is set up to donate to them. They host several prolific websites and podcasts that are an absolute must to check out, such as libertarianism.org and the podcast Free Thoughts, along with others. This organization is not only a political think tank that has helped with policymaking and research for all major US political parties and politicians, but they also encompass the largest list of scholars and writers for the Liberty movement. If in the Washington D.C. area, I highly recommend finding out when their next event is to attend, one of great interest is when they host debates between conservatives and libertarians. For professors and other scholarly types, they also have lectures on their website on a large range of topics. Sign up for their newsletter to stay in touch.

(Cato’s about page.)

This organization is the leading organization for anarcho-capitalists and other various forms of anarchy, i.e. without a government- not chaotic. They push for Liberty beyond most others, and host some of the greatest thought provoking events around the US. The Mises Institute is an organization based on the philosophy and writing of Ludwig von Mises and Murray Rothbard. Sign up for their email list to see if there is an event near you to check out. You can also sometimes find Mises events on Meetup.com in various areas around the country.

(The Mises Institute about page.)

(Who is Mises? page.)

Based on the work of one of the original grandfathers of the Liberty movement and thought, Frederic Bastiat, if anything I highly recommend his book The Law and his essay “That Which is Seen, and That Which is Not Seen.” This organization has some events in which they push for Liberty and peace. Subscribe to their email list to stay informed.

(The Bastiat Institute about page.)

(Who is Bastiat? page.)

If you are looking to go to grad school while also pushing for Liberty as a career choice, this organization may be able to help with that, as they present funding for grad students that are accepted and win their awards for advocating Liberty. They also have an amazing online education course for those that wish to learn more about libertarianism through their program called “Learn Liberty.” I highly recommend their videos and lessons. The organization is based out of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Their biggest influencer of political philosophy is surely F.A. Hayek who wrote one of the best Liberty books of all time, The Road to Serfdom. Sign up for this organization’s email list to stay informed.

(IHS’ about page.)

The FIRE is another amazing organization that not only pushes Liberty, but they also defend students and staff at college campuses around the US for First Amendment rights such as freedom of speech, which is their biggest focus. They defend any student no matter their political ideology, as long as they agree to defend them, and they do it at no upfront out-of-pocket cost for the student or staff. The work this organization has done for Liberty goes beyond just the world of college campuses, but also into the legal sphere where they maintain the concepts of Liberty in the legal system, which are constantly under attack from both the political left and right. Another fun detail is their ranking of freedom on your campus. If you are having any troubles on your campus, or your club wants a lawyer to come speak about Constitutional rights on your campus, I highly recommend contacting this organization and signing up for their email lists. They also provide school clubs with US Constitutions to pass around campus at no cost to you.

(FIRE’s about page.)

Reason Foundation is a great organization that pushes Liberty, especially through magazine format and online videos. I am a subscriber to their print magazine, Reason Magazine, and I thoroughly enjoy every issue. They occasionally host events at their headquarters in Los Angeles, CA, with speakers from various fields. Not only do I highly recommend signing up for their emails, but I sincerely believe every libertarian and Liberty-friendly student should subscribe to Reason Magazine for the best and most interesting libertarian news available.

(Reason’s about page.)

Have you been to a libertarian event or booth and seen the “World’s Smallest Political Quiz?” Well, this is the organization responsible for this easy way of determining where someone stands on the political map. Such a great organization that helps students as well as those that table, aka booth, for Liberty. Stay informed by signing up to their email list.

(Advocates’ about page.)

This organization is one of the greatest contributors to not only the Liberty movement, but also to the scholarly world by printing books of many classic and hard to find works. At the SFL event I attended, they provided 10 books of our choosing at no additional cost, and they always have great deals for select books on their website. If you are looking to find lists of libertarian works, books on economics, books on history, or books on history, this is the place to check out and support. Sign up for their email list for deals and events.

(Liberty Fund’s about page.)

If you are looking for some fun work in the Liberty movement, Matt and Terry Kibbe run this organization and do an excellent job at making more youth-friendly content for Liberty. They have produced some amazing stickers and posters, along with other libertarian swag. I look forward to seeing more from this organization. Be sure to sign up for their emails to see what they do next.

(Free The People’s about page.)

Bonus:

The man, the myth, the legend himself, Dr. Ron Paul, is who got me into libertarianism. I am forever grateful to this man and his work. I had the honor of meeting him once through a YAL event, and it took everything I had not to shake his hand off because I was soo thrilled to meet him. His organization, the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity, has great video content advocating for Liberty and peace around the world. I cannot speak highly enough of Ron Paul and his organization, as he pushes his age in his 80s, he continues to do more for Liberty than most of us young men could ever even imagine. Be sure to sign up for his emails and stay motivated by his ongoing work.

(Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity about page.)

If you are running into issues that potentially conflict with your Constitutional rights, I suggest reaching out to Pacific Legal for advice in getting legal advice. This organization will help you beyond just your dealings on campus, but also in the ordinary world of dealing with the legal system. They fight for Liberty and help to maintain our Natural Rights in the system that is forever working against these foundational and prelegal principles. While, notably, also winning 10 of their 12 Supreme Court cases. Be sure to sign up for their emails in order to not forget this key organization for Liberty (bottom of main page).

(Pacific Legal’s about page.)

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