The Fund for American Studies

“A significant change was made to the bylaws in september 2018 to increase the number of voting members from 25 to 27.”

“The board of trustees receives a copy of the completed irs form 990 prior to its filing. A review and comment period is provided so questions and comments can be received and responded to by management. The form is also reviewed by the organization's general counsel.”

“The board of trustees completes and signs an annual conflict of interest policy statement. The statement asks them to certify that they have read and understand the policy and that they do not have any interest that would constitute a conflict of interest, or knowingly take action that would constitute or appear to constitute a conflict of interest. It requires trustees to disclose any potential conflicts to the president and the board of trustees, including those of immediate family members. Management reviews the statements for compliance with the board policy and would report any disclosures to the board to resolve, as well as record in the minutes of the meeting.”

“The board of trustees' compensation committee meets annually to discuss executive pay. The committee uses actual salary data and reviews comparable salary/benefits data from outside sources showing executives of other similar organizations.”

“The organization makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and audited financial statements available to the general public upon request by providing copies or inspection at our office.”

“In addition to uncompensated governance duties as chairman of the board of trustees, randal teague is compensated for program, development and related activities. His time requirements are subject to the board of trustees annual budget adoption and approval of monthly time sheets attesting to such performed activities. Tfas paid $24,000 to trustee fred barnes for services (speaking and advising) outside of his role as a trustee.”

“Tfas teaches market economics and limited government to students & young professionals. The mission is to change the world by developing leaders for a free society. Tfas works with high school students and teachers, college students, and young professionals, including but not limited to sponsoring programs in journalism. Tfas has programs in the u.s., europe, asia, and south america.”

“The fund for american studies (tfas) seeks to create a brighter, more prosperous future by preparing young people for leadership and teaching them the ideas of freedom and a free-market economy. Founded in 1967, tfas organizes programs for college and university students from the united states, europe, the middle east, asia and latin america who are on paths toward leadership in public policy, journalism, international affairs, business, government and related fields. Our goal is to prepare these young people to serve as honorable leaders by educating them in the ideas most conducive to individual freedom, human achievement and personal responsibility. The fund for american studies offers transformational programs that teach the principles of limited government, free market economics, and honorable leadership to students and young professionals. Tfas programs inspire these future leaders to make a difference in their communities and throughout the world by upholding the values essential to the preservation of a free society.”

“Undergraduate programs: these programs are designed for undergraduate students interested in u.s. Politics, american government, foreign affairs, the nonprofit sector and journalism. The programs held in the us offer academic credit for coursework at george mason university, and include internships and site briefings at places such as the white house, the u.s. Capitol, and the state department. Students attend regular guest lectures, and interact with d.c. Professionals through networking activities. Courses are accredited by george mason university. One program is offered by the ronald reagan presidential foundation and institute in conjunction with the fund for american studies. It helps students define and strengthen their leadership skills and learn lessons from the american presidency, all while giving them an insider's view of washington. The intensive schedule is designed to maximize their time in washington by combining learning in the classroom with practical internship experience as well as special events and briefings. In addition, the fund for american studies (tfas) has organized international academic institutes for more than 25 years, with an objective to provide a rigorous academic experience, foster dialogues that cross borders, and create a global network of responsible future leaders. These programs are currently held in hong kong, chile, and the czech republic.”

“Graduate and professional programs: these programs serve graduate students and professionals in many different careers, inluding law, journalism and government affairs. A legal studies institute for law school students consists of the following major components: two-part academic course on the economic foundation of legal studies and constitutional originalism with credit through the antonin scalia law school at george mason university; and legal internships with law firms, lobbying firms, public interest legal organizations and legal departments of trade associations, corporations and government agencies throughout the washington area. The robert novak journalism fellowship program allows writers early in their careers to pursue projects they otherwise would be unable to research and report by providing stipends and expenses up to $75,000. The public policy fellows is a year-long networking and education program designed to develop young leaders with a shared commitment to improving public policy. The program includes monthly evening sessions and two weekend retreats. Curriculum of liberty seminars are invitation-only alumni conferences focused on a variety of topics related to liberty. Each conference is facilitated by a professor and implements a socratic-style discussion model based on a set of issues. Participants are given required readings to complete prior to the conference.”

“High school programs: organized by the tfas-affiliated foundation for teaching economics (fte), these programs include economics for leaders (efl), one day, and online programs for high school students and teachers. The flagship program, efl is a selective week-long summer program that teaches high school students how to integrate economics into the process of decision-making in a hands-on, experiential environment. Programs are held on college campuses across the country. Programs are led by economics professors and leadership instructors selected for their expertise and teaching effectiveness. Morning discussions, activities, and interactive sessions introduce participants to the "economic way of thinking." afternoon sessions build an understanding of leadership and participants practice leadership skills in a fun-filled series of tasks and dilemmas. Students also engage in a creative decision-making challenge in which they apply and demonstrate the skills and knowledge they have gained during the week. In the week-long teacher programs, high school teachers "go back to school and are taught by university professors and mentor teachers. What's unique are the games and simulations: instructors run the activities with real students so the teachers can observe the students' interactions. The teachers see, up close, why fte-designed lessons are so effective and leave with a better knowledge of economics, new classroom strategies, and a renewed enthusiasm for teaching. Other teacher programs include economic issues for teachers, environment and the economy, and right start in teaching economics.”