Foundation for Defense of Democracies

FDD
Washington D.C., United States

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) is a policy institute focusing on foreign policy and national security. Founded in 2001, FDD combines policy research, democracy and counterterrorism education, strategic communications and investigative journalism in support of its mission to promote pluralism, defend democratic values and fight the ideologies that drive terrorism. FDD transforms ideas into action and policy by focusing its efforts where opinions are formed and decisions are made. FDD holds events throughout the year, including the Leading Thinkers series, briefings on Capitol Hill, expert roundtables for public officials, diplomats and military officers, book releases, and panel discussions and debates within the policy community.

Contact details

Website:
http://www.defenddemocracy.org/

Address:
P.O. Box 33249, Washington D.C. 20033, USA

Country:
United States

Sub-region:
Northern America

Areas of focus

Geographics of focus
North America, Latin America , Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Russia, Asia
Operating languages
English

Organisation details

Business model
Non-profit
Institutional affiliations
No affiliation
Year founded
2001
Age (years)
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 24
United States average
 42
Global average
 32
Founded by
Founders: Clifford D. May
Founder gender: All male
Leadership
Leader(s) (2025): Clifford D. May
Leader gender: Male
Leader(s) (2024): Clifford D. May
Leader gender: Male
Leader(s) (2023): Bill McCarthy
Leader gender: Male
Staff size
2025
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 104
United States average
 48
Global average
 87
2024
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 35
2023
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 87
% Female staff
2025
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 36%
United States average
 51%
Global average
 50%
2024
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 51%
2023
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 21%
% Female researchers
2025
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 35%
United States average
 49%
Global average
 47%
2024
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 28%

Organisational performance

Publications
2024
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 137
United States average
 62
Global average
 58
2023
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 100
2022
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 1
Financials
2015
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 $8,750,290
United States average
 $19,902,532
Global average
 $57,352,757

Social

Likes (2023)
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 9,674
United States average
 65,362
Global average
 26,974
Likes (2022)
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 9,499
Likes (2021)
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 9,120
Followers (2025)
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 77,300
United States average
 51,223
Global average
 20,551
Followers (2024)
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 68,100
Followers (2022)
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 48,012
Subscribers (2025)
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 24,600
United States average
 19,445
Global average
 7,746
Subscribers (2024)
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 5,080
Subscribers (2023)
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 2,810
Followers (2025)
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 12,000
United States average
 24,552
Global average
 16,415
Followers (2024)
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 9,000
Followers (2023)
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
 5,791

Data notes

Last updated: 13/03/2025
Rating of data accuracy (find out more) : OTT reviewed
Data sources consulted: Organisation´s website
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