2026 marks 250 years since our Founding Fathers declared their independence July 4, 1776. The fireworks are sure to be bigger and many Americans will pause to reflect on the meaning of our country’s founding. Many charities supported by the DonorsTrust community of givers have already begun producing materials and planning events to help us all think about the values that inspired our Founders to throw off the British yoke a quarter millennium ago.
Central to one of those efforts is Jay Lapeyre, a philanthropist who is passionate about ethical basis of America’s freedoms. Jay has launched the Free Society Coalition to organize an effort to center our semiquincentennial conversations around the ideas of the Declaration of Independence. The group has produced a brochure titled “Happy Birthday, Freedom!” which introduces readers to the essential values of liberty and responsibility as seen in the Declaration. In this episode, Jay joins Peter to discuss the inspiration behind the project and what lies ahead as 2026 approaches.
The Forgotten Ideas of the Declaration
The state of Americans’ understanding of the Declaration of Independence today is concerning. Many young Americans don’t know who the authors were, what the purpose was, or have any comprehension of the document’s significance. The foundational and enduring principles that made America are lost on them.
To address this knowledge gap, a group of scholars, donors, and influencers convened in Philadelphia to develop efforts aimed at rediscovering these foundational principles. Bridging disagreements over the philosophical roots of liberty and the necessity of religious faith, this group reached consensus on key points. They agreed that freedom is essential to human flourishing and cannot be sustained without an ethical base. Secular and religious, they affirmed that shared values provide the moral foundation necessary to challenge the polarization, nihilism, and authoritarianism that threatened our freedom.
Rediscovering America’s Principles
Jay’s effort centers on encouraging individuals to engage with the Declaration’s language and principles. Rather than focusing on partisan politics, the Free Society Coalition invites Americans to examine the values that are upstream from our political divisions. What comes into view is ethics, character, and the values the Founders shared. Reading the Declaration of Independence critically, one asks themselves fundamental questions about truth, equality, rights, and the purpose of government.
The goal is to help people understand that the Declaration represents the first statement in the history of the world in human history that would establish a government with the moral premise of respect for the dignity and rights of individuals.
The Free Society Coalition offers more than just another political initiative—it provides a pathway back to the foundational ideas that made America unique. Through careful study and civil discourse, Jay believes we can rediscover what it means to be a nation built on ideas and ensure that legacy endures for future generations.
To learn more about the Free Society Coalition and access the “Happy Birthday, Freedom!” brochure, visit freesocietycoalition.org.