Our Story
In January 1995, renowned social justice champion Cecile Richards attended her first State Board of Education (SBOE) meeting because she wanted to see for herself how much the religious right was expanding its influence in the halls of Texas government. What she saw shocked her. She observed as far-righters on the board hijacked textbook adoptions to promote their extreme political agenda.
As the meeting unfolded, Cecile scribbled a note on a napkin and passed it to a friend:
Just a month later, on Feb. 17, 1995, Cecile founded the Texas Freedom Network (TFN) as a counter to the radical right in this state. Since then, TFN has fought efforts to censor textbooks, opposed private school vouchers and other schemes to dismantle public education, and defended religious freedom from constant attack. Over the years, our work has expanded to include the battle for LGBTQIA+ equality, reproductive freedom, and more.
Currently, TFN is a multi-issue organizing hub for over 150,000 Texans of all ages, faiths, identities, and abilities — all the way from Brownsville to Amarillo — working together for a more just and equitable state.
Our Texas Rising project trains emerging grassroots activists on university and college campuses, while our Just Texas project mobilizes clergy and Texans of faith to advocate for reproductive freedom and LGBTQIA+ equality.
We organize at the Capitol, in classrooms, and in communities to build a state where everyone — no matter who they are or where they come from — can live as their fullest, freest selves.
TFN Founder Cecile Richards, left, with then-President Kathy Miller, right, at a 2015 event.
Our Structure
To maximize our impact, we operate under two distinct entities: Texas Freedom Network (TFN) and Texas Freedom Network Education Fund (TFNEF).
Texas Freedom Network, our 501(c)(4), focuses on advocacy and public policy efforts, mobilizing Texans for progressive change at the Capitol and in local municipalities. We’re also the state’s leading watchdog for monitoring far-right issues, organizations, money, and leaders.
While donations to TFN are not tax-deductible, they support our hard-hitting political activism.
Texas Freedom Network Education Fund, our 501(c)(3), focuses on research and civic education efforts. Our library of original research on church-state and education issues is invaluable to policymakers, allies, and the media.
Contributions to TFNEF are tax-deductible and support our research, outreach, and educational initiatives.
