The enemies of freedom are a clear and present threat both to Americans and our friends around the globe. As recent events here and abroad have proven, those of us who believe that freedom is anchored in the rule of law must endeavor together.
Just as our founder William F. Buckley Jr. proved, principled conservatives can come together and present a unified front against those who consistently and purposely work to undermine Western values.
With Buckley’s centennial approaching, the leadership of both National Review Institute and NR Inc. are engaged in a strategic planning process that will result in significant investments in the enterprise’s infrastructure, operations, and talent to ensure even greater influence in the years to come. Given the current nature of the news cycle, NR print magazine changed to a monthly to emphasize longer-form, higher-level analytical material in print, including more in-depth thought pieces, while retaining a lively website covering hour-by-hour political and cultural developments.
As part of this effort, we have clearly and boldly reaffirmed National Review’s mission statement and values. By laying these out, our intention is to be clear with you about our direction and core commitments. With generous philanthropic contributors, National Review Institute, the nonprofit established by Buckley to promote the NR mission, has successfully grown into an influential organization supporting NR journalists and journalism projects and expanding their reach. You, too, can support our enduring mission and valuable work with a tax-deductible, end-of-year contribution to National Review Institute.
Our enterprise defends and advances the ordered liberty that is necessary to human flourishing and to a free, prosperous, and strong America. We are firmly committed to constitutional government, free enterprise, moral bedrocks, a strong defense, love of country, and defending Western civilization. As a reader of National Review, you know that these values are not new. Since 1955, NR has stood “athwart history, yelling Stop, at a time when no one is inclined to do so, or to have much patience with those who so urge it.”
If you’ve been following our work for some time, you know that our promotion of these core values takes many forms. It’s supporting the top talent of NR like Andy McCarthy, Kathryn Jean Lopez, and Jay Nordlinger, and the rising talent like Dominic Pino. It’s also hosting events around the country, like our recent debate in Dallas on the role of public policy in free enterprise between David L. Bahnsen and Oren Cass. It’s partnering with other conservative thought leaders like Charles Kesler of the Claremont Institute and policy-makers like Doug Ducey and Betsy DeVos for discussions exploring how we preserve America’s founding principles. It’s teaching the foundations of conservative thought to mid-career professionals in major cities like Chicago and Miami. It’s fostering an appreciation for civil discourse and diplomatic persuasion among communications students.
As part of our strategic planning process, NRI has an ambitious goal to reinforce and expand our core educational and outreach programs, an unprecedented 21 percent increase. This includes increasing the number of fellows who can join our ranks, adding more young talent who will have an influence on the culture, and offering additional programs for young people in new areas around the country. A stronger NRI means greater reach, influence, and impact for the National Review mission.
In 2023, we increased the number of William F. Buckley Jr. Fellowships in Political Journalism to three and brought on three new NRI fellows: Amity Shlaes, Brian T. Allen, and Jim Geraghty. Next year, NRI will hold more events around the country and on college campuses and host seven half-day Regional Seminars from coast to coast. We look forward to bringing the NR mission to more people — both old and new friends — across the country.
As philosophical lines are being defined sharply within our broader movement, NRI stands firm to defend the core principles that provide opportunity for freedom and human flourishing. Our goal is to expand our impact beyond traditional conservative audiences. Following the lead of our founder, Bill Buckley, the institute seeks to reach, educate, and influence even more people with the distinctive, optimistic, and insightful conservatism for which its fellows and programs are known.
Our enterprise is strong. Our mission and values are solid. All we need to succeed is you. Join us today by supporting our cause and contributing to this exciting growth.