Foundation for Economic Education: mission, leadership and finances
Nonprofit founded in 1946 that teaches the principles of free markets and individual liberty through articles, seminars and youth programs.
Also known as FEE
Organization
| Founded | 1946 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Atlanta, GA |
| EIN | 13-6006960 |
| Tax status | 501(c)(3) |
| Website | fee.org |
Finances (IRS Form 990)
| Total revenue | $8.2 million |
|---|---|
| Total expenses | $7.8 million |
| Total assets | $16.2 million |
| Tax year | 2024 |
What it does
The Foundation for Economic Education, known as FEE, is one of the oldest free-market educational organizations in the United States. It publishes articles at fee.org, produces videos and courses, and holds seminars for students and teachers.
Foundation for Economic Education is listed here in the category "Think tanks". A listing on 4conservative.com describes an organization; it is not an endorsement of it or of its positions.
History
FEE was founded in 1946 in Irvington, New York, by Leonard Read, and it was an early home of the postwar libertarian movement. It published The Freeman, a magazine of ideas that has run in various forms for decades.
Foundation for Economic Education is a think tank. It is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Its IRS tax status is 501(c)(3). Like other organizations in this collection, it is described here from its own published material and from public records, and the facts on this page are limited to what those sources state.
Leadership and funding
FEE is funded by donations and files a Form 990, shown here. Its website lists its board and president.
The IRS figures on this page come from the latest Form 990 filing that ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer lists for the organization, for tax year 2024: total revenue of $8.2 million, total expenses of $7.8 million and total assets of $16.2 million at year end. ProPublica lists the filer as Foundation For Economic Education Inc. The figures describe a single tax year and can differ sharply from year to year; check the filing itself and the organization's own site for the current picture.
Where it stands
FEE argues for private property, voluntary exchange and limited government, and seeks to educate rather than lobby.
These summaries reflect the organization's own stated mission and publicly known activities as of the date below; they are neutral descriptions, not evaluations. Related organizations on this site include Cato Institute, Acton Institute, Reason Foundation.
Sources
Profile last reviewed November 8, 2026