During Governor Scott Walker’s tenure, Wisconsin enacted more common-sense conservative reforms than any state in the nation. So, a massively funded but ultimately unsuccessful recall effort was launched, making the Governor the first in American history to win a recall election. Now, he joins the Impact Fund Board of Directors, even as he serves as President of Young America’s Foundation, where he leads efforts to train the next generation of leaders in the fight for freedom.
What drew you to join the board of the Bradley Impact Fund?
Values. Mission. People.
First, I love that the Bradley Impact Fund is promoting my values—particularly in supporting organizations that restore, strengthen, and protect our founding principles and institutions.
Second, I love the mission to serve as advisors who help educate, empower, and inspire donors to advance our values through high-impact giving and the protection of donor intent.
Third, I love the people. Our entire family has attended Bradley Impact Conferences, and we love how passionate and involved the others there are about our shared values and how to have a real impact with their giving to promote those values. Plus, it’s a fun group, too.
What sets the Bradley Impact Fund apart from other donor-advised funds?
The Bradley Impact Fund is different from other donor-advised funds because of our focus on preserving America’s founding principles and institutions. We have a talented leadership team that manages finances well, while keeping the focus on helping account holders make a real impact with their donations in support of our shared values.
You’ve been able to observe the giving of the Bradley Impact Fund’s donor community both as a leader of Young America’s Foundation and as an account holder. What excites you to be a part of that community?
As the President of Young America’s Foundation, as well as an account holder, I am excited because of the passion I see at conferences and when talking with other account holders. Often, I see people who not only make strategic investments in our work and that of other impactful organizations, but leaders who offer great insights on ways to improve that work.
At YAF, you lead a team committed to ensuring young Americans understand and are inspired by the ideas of individual freedom, a strong national defense, free enterprise, and traditional values. Why is that mission particularly critical in today’s culture?
The latest Gallup Poll shows that pride in America is at an all-time low. Sadly, it is driven by members of Gen Z. At the same time, proficiency in American history and civics is at historic lows in our schools.
While these are troubling statistics, the optimist in me sees them as an opportunity. So many of our young people don’t know enough about the incredible story of America to have pride in our country. We need to tell them. This is what we are doing at Young America’s Foundation – particularly through our Freedom at 250 programs this year.
We are sharing with young people what our founders risked for the freedoms we hold dear today, and we are challenging them to consider what they are willing to do to preserve them in the future. We are also reminding them that, on July 4, 1776, James Monroe was eighteen, Alexander Hamilton was twenty-one, James Madison was twenty-five, and Thomas Jefferson was thirty-three—while Ben Franklin was twice the life-expectancy of a man at the time. In other words, you are never too young or too old to fight for freedom!