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.