Free the People Foundation

Last updated

Free the People
Formation2016 (2016)
Type Nonprofit
HeadquartersWashington, DC
President
Matt Kibbe
CEO
Terry Kibbe
Website https://freethepeople.org

Free the People is a nonprofit organization and digital media company based in the United States that promotes libertarian values, including individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and civil liberties. [1] The organization is known for its documentary filmmaking and sketch comedy videos that inspire audiences to challenge centralized authority and embrace a libertarian worldview. [2]

Contents

History

Free the People was founded in 2016 by Matt Kibbe, former president of FreedomWorks, and Terry Kibbe, a veteran political fundraiser. [3] The organization emerged as an effort to reach a younger, digital-native audience with a message of liberty through engaging multimedia content. The founders envisioned a platform that combined grassroots activism with cultural and philosophical storytelling. [4]

Mission and activities

The organization produces short films, documentaries, podcasts, and comedies that often highlight individuals and communities who embody libertarian principles in action. [5]

Notable projects include

Free the People films have won awards at film festivals including Anthem Libertarian Film Festival, [14] New York City Film & Television Festival, and IndieBOOM Film + Music Festival. [15] The organization also participates in liberty-oriented community events like PorcFest, [16] FreedomFest, [17] and international forums like the Festival de las Ideas in Mexico. [18]

Leadership

Matt Kibbe, President, is a prominent libertarian commentator, author of Don't Hurt People and Don't Take Their Stuff, [19] and former CEO of FreedomWorks. [20] Terry Kibbe, CEO, has worked extensively in the nonprofit and political fundraising world and previously served as a development executive at various free-market organizations. [21]

Media presence

Free the People maintains a significant digital presence through its website, [22] YouTube channel, [23] and social media platforms. Its videos have collectively generated tens of millions of views, [24] and the organization has built a substantial following among libertarian and classical liberal audiences, especially among younger viewers disillusioned with traditional political alignments. [25]

Funding

Free the People is funded through individual donations, foundation grants, and partnerships with like-minded organizations. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. [26]

References

  1. ↑ McCarthy, Rebecca. "Matt Kibbe And The Liberteens". The Awl. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  2. ↑ Gillespie, Nick (June 19, 2018). "This Libertarian Community Organizer Wants To 'Free the People'". Reason.com. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Mission". Free the People. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Alumni 'libertarian power couple' to share story with GCC students". Grove City College. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  5. ↑ Toto, Christian (December 16, 2023). "Meet the Comedian Who Shamed Apple to the Core". Hollywood in Toto. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  6. ↑ Harper, Jennifer (January 16, 2019). "BlazeTV adds libertarian, comedy fare to its pro-America line-up". The Washington Times . Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Kibbe on Liberty". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  8. ↑ Hathaway, Candace (July 31, 2025). "BlazeTV's 'The Coverup' exposes how the censorship industrial complex silenced Americans during COVID". Blaze Media . Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  9. ↑ Toto, Christian (April 22, 2023). "More Proof Subversive Comedy Thrives (But Not on 'SNL')". Hollywood in Toto. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  10. ↑ Kibbe, Terry (February 1, 2025). "Elon Got the Joke!". Free the People. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Opinion | 'I Don't Know Why He's Not More Famous.' Meet the Man Republicans Can't Get Enough Of". The New York Times . March 10, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Watch the Award-Winning Documentary How to Love Your Enemy". Boundless Love Project. September 5, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  13. ↑ Stossel, John (December 20, 2017). "Avoid the Deadly Isms". Reason.com. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Atlas Network partners win big at the 2019 Anthem Film Festival". Atlas Network. July 23, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  15. ↑ "News". IndieBOOM. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  16. ↑ Martin, Sam (July 25, 2022). "Beautiful Chaos at PorcFest 2022". Free the People. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Politicians Panel with Free the People". FOX One. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  18. ↑ Cortés, Daniel (May 29, 2025). "Festival de las Ideas 2025 abre con discurso de Matt Kibbe: 'El gobierno opera mediante coerción'". El Sol de Puebla (in Spanish). Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Don't Hurt People and Don't Take Their Stuff". HarperCollins. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  20. ↑ Mullins, Luke (June 26, 2013). "Armey in Exile". Washingtonian . Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Love, Liberty, and Happiness with Matt Kibbe & Terry Kibbe". Students For Liberty. November 9, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Home". Free the People. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Free the People". YouTube. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Free the People's YouTube Statistics". Social Blade. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  25. ↑ Allen, Timothy (May 5, 2023). "Matt & Terry Kibbe: Reaching Hearts & Minds". Free Cities Foundation. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Free the People Fight the Power Foundation". ProPublica. Retrieved September 19, 2025.