Dave Dias, co-founder of Foundations of Freedom (FOF), is on a mission to unite like-minded individuals and organizations to address the pressing challenges facing our world. Founded in 2021, FOF emerged as a response to growing concerns about government overreach, censorship, economic instability, political polarization, and the decline of traditional values in America. The organization aims to address these issues by forging strategic leadership relationships in defense of foundational freedoms while seeking excellence and God’s glory in all things.
At the heart of FOF lies a commitment to collaboration. Dias, a lifetime entrepreneur, recognized the need for a platform that would unite people who shared a common vision. To facilitate this collaboration, Dias and co-founder Wayne Allen designed the organization’s platform, providing a place for communication, information sharing, and resource mobilization.
“We wanted to create a space where people could come together, share ideas, and work to achieve common goals,” he explained. “A place where collaboration would be the norm, not the exception.”
With Dias’ history of bringing together influential leaders, he saw an opportunity to create a more structured and impactful organization, all through the power of relationship and referral. Back in 1995, Dias ran the Time Out Conference, which brought together top executives around the country and aimed to inspire, connect, and challenge leaders, with no purpose but “a Jesus, kingdom, and friendship agenda.” The enduring friendships forged during that movement inspired the question for Dias, which led to the founding of FOF: How can we leave a lasting legacy for future generations and shape our culture positively?
“We needed to build a digital Noah’s Ark,” Dias explains, “so we can rise above the coming flood. We’re going to be able to not only survive but thrive.”
The FOF platform is an environment free from ads, censorship, and data harvesting for conservatives to engage, organize, and effect cultural change. Some of the practical resources available to FOF partners include encrypted communication channels and secure document transferring, missional information sharing, the Voice of Reason video series hosted by Dias, and validated news from fellow partners.
In building this unique platform to unite and empower faith-based leaders in common community, Dias explained three “Achilles heels” they are overcoming. First, he believes organizations default to operating in silos.
“Everybody says that they want to collaborate,” Dias said, “but they really want to do their thing. In order to get people to collaborate, you have to inspire, model, and drive collaboration.”
Second, FOF is fighting the problem of the divided church in America. He works to encourage and challenge the pulpit of America to have a profound influence within their congregations and throughout the nation. He believes churches become weak when they prioritize avoiding offense over proclaiming the truth.
“They don’t need to lean left or right, because we’re not about leaning at all,” Dias pointed out. “We’re about standing—standing for the truth, love, grace, and mercy, and doing it in a winsome way.”
The third and final Achilles heel Dias seeks to overcome is the problem of capital, claiming the current structure does not facilitate collaboration or incentivize investments aligned with the right goals. “There’s plenty of money out there, but it’s on the sidelines,” he said.
Dias, who also serves on the board of Magen David Adom (MDA), provided an example of the power of interorganizational cooperation. He explained how FOF, in partnership with MDA, raised millions of dollars to support emergency services after the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. This collaboration even extended to receiving 42 armored ambulances from Samaritan’s Purse, when Franklin Graham learned MDA medics onsite needed protection from active shooter incidents.
Beyond addressing practical challenges, Foundations of Freedom is committed to a spiritual revival, primarily focusing on “issues of the heart.” Dias believes that a genuine transformation of individuals and society can only be achieved through a renewed focus on biblical values and a personal relationship with God.
“I don’t care if you’re right, left, a donkey or an elephant—the answer is not there,” Dias said. “The answer is in the lion and the lamb. There’s got to be a Kingdom agenda, a revival that sweeps this nation. Judgement begins in the household of faith. … We need to be desperately turning back to God.”
Dias believes a biblical vision of collaboration is informed not only by God’s will but also by seeking the will of others, committing to serve selflessly. Dias defines collaboration as “checking my own agenda at the door,” and “submitting and surrendering to the purposes of the Kingdom of God.” He encapsulates the Christian purpose in the Hebrew word avodah, which contains three defining characteristics all in one: work, worship, and service.
“When I’m checking my ego at the door, I’m acquiescing to not my will, but thy will be done,” he said. “Our job is to be salt, light, and the aroma of Christ. We serve an audience of one.”
Dias envisions a world where individuals and organizations work together to build a better society, guided by biblical principles and a commitment to excellence. By fostering collaboration, addressing critical issues, and inspiring spiritual renewal, Foundations of Freedom is positioned to play a significant role in realizing this vision.
In terms of defining success, “What I really want to do is submit to God’s success,” Dias said. “We hope to see success when more people embrace a biblical worldview, when we see churches that are full and growing and vibrant, and we see people that are joy-filled, … who now have renewed hope not just for today, but for eternity.”
Foundations of Freedoms has been an NRB member since March 2024. Dave Dias is an NRB President’s Council member. Learn more at their website: FoundationsofFreedom.com.