The organization was founded and officially incorporated on 14 May 2009,[1] by Christian Coalition founder Ralph Reed, who described it as "a 21st century version of the Christian Coalition".[6] Reed designed the coalition as a bridge between the Tea Party movement and evangelical voters.[7] The organization has grown quickly with hundreds of thousands of supporters and several hundred local chapters.[6] Reed and his organization were a major supporter of the Romney–Ryan campaign in 2012[8] after organizing a debate for the Republican candidates,[9] and a state chapter was also involved in state elections in 2011.[10]
In May 2012, the organization announced a Jewish outreach component. At the June 2012 conference, a Shabbat program was held, with traditional, kosher Shabbat meals and Orthodox Jewish prayer services.[21]
Road to Majority
On 19 June 2014 FFC marked its 5th annual Road to Majority policy conference in Washington, DC.[22] The event was attended by national grassroots activists and featured notable speakers such as Gov. Bobby Jindal, Monica Crowley, Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. Mitch McConnell, Majority LeaderKevin McCarthy, and Mike Huckabee. Conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly received the Winston Churchill Award for Conservative Leadership for her history of conservative activism.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced FFC to move their conference out of Washington. The conference was held at the Cobb galleria in their hometown of Atlanta Georgia in 2020, and at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee Florida during 17–19 June 2021.[28]
The conference returned to Washington DC during 23–24 June 2023 at the Washington Hilton.[29] The conference marked the first time all eleven declared GOP presidential candidates had appeared together at an event.[30]President Donald Trump served as the closing speaker of the conference where during the Gala dinner he received "raucous applause from a packed ballroom of evangelical Christian activists".[31] The speech marked the one year anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.[32]
Fundraising and finances
Faith and Freedom Coalition contracts with outside firms American Target Advertising and Unisource Direct LLC for solicitations through direct mail and telephone calls.
Finances for the fiscal year ending 31 December 2021 (the latest available) consist of: revenue of $29,681,130; expenses of $33,854,275; and donations of $29,668,360.
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