Texas Freedom Network Education Fund

Mission Statement

The Texas Freedom Network Education Fund (TFNEF) is a statewide non-partisan, grassroots organization that is building an informed and effective movement working toward equality and social justice.

Founded by Cecile Richards in 1995, the Texas Freedom Network is a statewide non-partisan organization that is building dynamic grassroots movement working toward equality and social justice. TFN works to bring together grassroots activists, faith leaders, young people, and communities of color in support of a broad progressive agenda in a changing Texas.

Over the past 25 years, TFN has become a progressive powerhouse with a grassroots network of almost 150,000 supporters across the state. Since our founding, TFN has always been an outspoken advocate and champion on behalf of public education, religious freedom, reproductive rights, LGBTQ equality, voting rights, and more.

Texas Rising:

Texans under age 30 now make up 43 percent of the state's population. Soon they will make up a third of eligible voters in Texas. TFN's Texas Rising program is building the power of young people in our communities and at the ballot box by organizing and training college students and young people of color in a multi-issue, intersectional social justice framework.

Just Texas:

The dominant religious narrative claims that people of faith do not affirm the LGBTQ community or support reproductive freedom. We disagree. Too many policies that affect Texans have been born out of a dominant religious narrative of exclusion and discrimination. This is why Just Texas organizes progressive people of faith and faith leaders, amplifying their voices to counter and disrupt the dominant narrative flowing through the halls of power. By leveraging our voices as progressive people of faith, we have helped stop harmful policies from becoming law.

We will not stand idly by while our faith is weaponized to hurt others. We are committed to this work until we all live in a Just Texas.

Teach the Truth -- TFN and the Texas State Board of Education

TFN has been fighting far-right extremists at the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) for over two decades. This year, for the first time since 1997, the SBOE is rewriting the health curriculum standards, which includes sex education. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change course and adopt medically accurate standards that include information on birth control and are inclusive of LGBTQ people.

TFN is at the forefront of this fight, leading a campaign to ensure that Texas schools teach fact-based sex education that gives future generations of students the information they need to make healthy and responsible decisions in their lives.

Needs Statement

TFN depends on the generous support of individual donors, major gifts and foundation grants. Your contribution will help support our advocacy goals at the Texas Capitol and State Board of Education as well as our key programs organizing our grassroots network, progressive faith leaders and Texas Rising student activists.

Testimonials

"I founded TFN in 1995 because the values of public education, religious freedom and civil liberties were under attack... Today, our mission has never been more important." -- Cecile Richards, TFN Founder

Volunteer Details

TFN's work would not be possible without the energy and talent of our fabulous volunteers. From helping with mailings and event planning to advocacy efforts, outreach and tabling, TFN has the most dedicated team of volunteers in the state.