8th Annual Golf Tournament (click here for information)

Our Mission

The Center for the American Idea is a non-profit educational organization founded in 1976 and supported by foundations, businesses and individuals. The Center's programs assist teachers as they educate their students in the principles of American Civilization, including liberty, private property, the rule of law, constitutionally limited government and an enduring moral order. Our hope is that by doing so, the Center for the American Idea will play its part in preserving the heritage of liberty and responsibility left to our generation.

Our Vision

In 1776 men representing the thirteen colonies of America met in the state house of Philadelphia and pledged their "lives, fortunes and sacred honor" to secure their God given rights. They risked everything - their homes, families, and their lives - for liberty. In 1787 men of the same generation met again in the Philadelphia State House and produced the U.S. Constitution.

James Madison wrote, "Although all men are born free, slavery has been the general lot of the human race. Ignorant - they have been cheated; asleep they have been surprised; divided - the yoke has been forced upon them. But what is the lesson?…the people ought to be enlightened, to be awakened, to be united, that after establishing a government they should watch over it…It is universally admitted that a well-instructed people alone can be permanently free."

Our vision is to use our resources to enlighten the teachers of today, and through them, the leaders of tomorrow; awaken in Americans a sense of responsibility to their families, communities, and nation; and to unite them through a common heritage and culture. We do this so that we will possess the tools required to be the next generation's guarantors of liberty.

The Center for the American Idea strives to educate teachers and students in the principles of private property, limited government, free market economics, liberty and an enduring moral order. We accomplish this by providing seminars and workshops for teachers, and educational resources for teachers and their students that include lesson plans, handouts, articles, and books.

The Center for the American Idea is a program of the Free Enterprise Institute.