IFF's mission is to defeat Marxism and socialism by building a culture of liberty around America's founding principles so Idahoans can prosper.
The Idaho Freedom Foundation’s roots can be traced to 1977, when Ralph Smeed and Maurice Clements started the Center for the Study of Market Alternatives (CSMA) in Caldwell. CSMA was years ahead of its time. National organizations existed to promote liberty, but there really were no state-based think tanks working to educate state and local public servants and citizens about free markets and the principles of liberty. In Idaho, CSMA filled the void. Many of Idaho’s political luminaries, including former U.S. Sen. Steve Symms, Northwest Liberty Academy Director Elizabeth Hodge and Foundation for Economic Education President Larry Reed point to Ralph, Maurice and CSMA as playing a pivotal role in their beliefs.
In 2008, Ralph Smeed and Maurice Clements reached out to Wayne Hoffman about starting a new state-focused, free-market think tank dedicated to Idaho issues. At that point, every state in the country had a free market think tank except for Idaho. Ralph and Maurice described their vision for the organization as one that would provide policymakers with free-market solutions and hold those same officials accountable for expanding government.
Coincidently, Idaho native Heather Lauer was also working on a plan to start a think tank in the Gem State. Heather had reached out to Norm Semanko, who connected Wayne and Heather. Together, Wayne and Heather put together the organizational blueprint and the funding to start what became the Idaho Freedom Foundation, which officially launched in January 2009.
The Freedom Foundation quickly developed a reputation as an accurate, independent source for liberty-minded policy innovation and as a tireless watchdog against government waste and marketplace intervention. Three months after its founding, IFF had provided the intellectual ammunition to stop a well-greased effort to raise taxes on cigarettes and alcohol. By August 2009, IFF had launched a government transparency website, and two months later it began producing original journalism, which eventually became IdahoReporter.com.
IFF’s work has been credited with saving taxpayers millions of dollars, eliminating failed government programs and holding politicians accountable like never before in the history of the state.
What if Idaho were the single best state in the nation to live, raise a family, start a business, hold a job and go to school? What if Idaho’s taxes and regulations were so low that our state attracted employers and employees from throughout the country without special incentives and corporate welfare that hurt entrepreneurs? What if our state helped lead our country back toward prosperity, by embracing free market ideas and reducing reliance on a bankrupt federal government?
Answering those questions is at the center of what Idaho Freedom Foundation is about. The Idaho Freedom Foundation exists to advance the conservative principles — limited government, free markets and self-reliance — that made our country the envy of the world. Unfortunately, special interests have grown in influence in our state, encouraging city, county and state government officials to reject conservative principles. Instead, these special interests advance policies that have resulted in higher taxes, more regulation, and more dependency on Washington, D.C. We aim to turn that around through the advancement of principles that help promote a vibrant, prosperous and free life for all Idahoans.
Idaho Freedom Foundation gives a voice to the voiceless, the people who don’t have the means, the time or the wherewithal to take on the special interests, which include labor unions, the government bureaucracy or businesses that seek a handout. We hold lawmakers accountable when they say one thing and do another, when they promise conservative leadership but then vote to expand government, support special interests or make it harder for Idahoans to get ahead and stay ahead.
Imagine what would happen if Idaho were to have the lowest taxes, the best schools, the least regulatory burden and the least dependency on the federal government of any other state? Imagine what might happen if local people, who know and love Idaho the most, were in charge of our public lands. What if, instead of adding people to government welfare rolls and entitlement programs, Idaho’s charities, churches and communities pitched in to help lift people from poverty?
Our research, journalism, education and advocacy dovetail to help Idaho policymakers make better decisions, rooted in conservative principles, so that Idahoans will be better off.
Ron Nate is a Christian, husband, father, President of a non-profit, and a warrior for liberty. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1991 with a B.S. in Economics, and from the University of Connecticut in 1998 with an M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics. After three years at Ohio University-Eastern, he joined the faculty at BYU-Idaho and built a 25-year teaching career as a professor of economics. Ron served in the Idaho House of Representatives for three terms from 2014-2018 and again in 2021-22, and now he is the President of the premier conservative policy think tank in Idaho, the Idaho Freedom Foundation, serving since 2024.
He is married to Maria Olsen Nate and they have four awesome children: Maddie, Sam, Anna, and Eleanor. Ron enjoys traveling, backpacking, skiing, chocolate, goats, and watching his teams win (BYU, New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox).
Alli has enjoyed working with the Idaho Freedom Foundation since July 2018 when she started as the office manager. Later she went on to become the Operations & Development Manager and is excited to embark on her newest role as Vice President.
Alli is passionate about freedom and is dedicated to the IFF mission.
She has two amazing daughters and three wonderful grandchildren. Her hobbies include drawing, writing, cooking, and spending time outdoors swimming, kayaking, and riding her bicycle. She resides in Meridian with her shorkie dog, Max.
Fred Birnbaum joined the Idaho Freedom Foundation in 2014 as vice president and chief operating officer after working 25 years in the paper and packaging industry.
Fred now serves as the IFF's Legislative Affairs Director and guides the Foundation's policy efforts.
Before joining IFF, he served as director of business and financial analysis for Packaging Corporation of America, formerly Boise Inc. His experience in industry includes roles in finance, operations, project management, and factory management.
Fred served in the U.S. Army as a communication staff officer and platoon leader and worked briefly for US Senator John Glenn as a Military Affairs Fellow. Following his Army career, he received his master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
Samuel T. Lair joined the Idaho Freedom Foundation in September 2024 as the Director of the Center for American Education. He graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2018 with a B.A. in Political Science and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Politics at Hillsdale College where he is writing a dissertation on the political thought and statesmanship of James Monroe. Prior to pursuing his graduate studies, Sam worked for the Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities as a Research Associate and the Nevada Republican Party as a grassroots organizer during the 2016 and 2018 election cycles.
In his free time, Sam enjoys hunting and fishing in the vast open land of the American West and developing his scholarship on the political thought of the American Founding and Early American Republic.
Jake has worked as the Communications Director for the Idaho Freedom Foundation since August of 2024.
Originally from Washington, Jake has resided in North Idaho with his family since the beginning of 2023. During his time in Washington, he worked as a field coordinator for a voter data company, head digital marketing director for a political firm, and campaign manager for a congressional race during the 2022 election cycle.
Building upon his experience, Jake is excited to bring his skills from his prior roles to the IFF in order to fulfill its mission of promoting liberty and prosperity throughout the Gem State.
Jake and his wife, Noel, have a nearly 2 year old son, Luke, with a daughter on the way. He enjoys hiking, reading, attending Church, and spending time with friends and family.
Rachel Hazelip joined the Idaho Freedom Foundation in January 2025 as a policy analyst and legislative liaison.
She brings with her three years of experience in policy analysis, research, and writing as well as expertise in Chinese foreign policy/grand strategy and American Marxism as it pertains to the social and educational spheres. She contributed research and writing at the Heritage Foundation in the Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy in 2023 in Washington DC and is excited to bring those same skills to the Idaho Freedom Foundation.
She holds undergraduate degrees in criminal justice, political science, history, and international studies and a master’s degree in public policy: international affairs from Liberty University. She served in the IDGOP as the Canyon County Republican Youth Committeewoman from 2022 to 2024 and as the Canyon County District 10 co-captain for the 2024 presidential caucus.
Rachel enjoys mountaineering, traveling, surfing, ballroom dancing, reading, and cooking. She was raised in the beautiful Gem State and is a born-again Christian, researcher, former legislative candidate, proud American, and liberty-lover.
Sarah Clendenon joined IFF as the Office Manager in March 2025 after 10 years in the residential real estate sales industry. Sarah also has experience in news writing, campaign management, property management, and event planning.
She is a longtime political activist, advocate, researcher, writer, and policy analyst. Sarah has been drafting and defending sound policy in health freedom topics since 2011. She believes strongly the rights of the people are bestowed by God and they must be defended fervidly.
Her education background includes an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice Administration and Bachelor Degree work in Public Law and Political Philosophy at Boise State University.
Sarah's volunteer work encompasses the positions of Co-Executive Director and Director of Legislative Affairs at Health Freedom Idaho. She is also a member of the Board of Directors at Health Freedom Defense Fund.
Sarah and her husband Ben have four children and a Schnauzer mix dog named Cami. Sarah enjoys participating in sports with her children and has coached a youth cheerleading squad for several years. She enjoys reading and analyzing Idaho law, debating, studying American history, camping, running, and watching football.
Bryan Hyde is a veteran broadcaster, podcaster, writer, speaker and educator with more than 40 years experience behind the mic.
Bryan has been the host of "Nowhere To Hyde" for the Idaho Freedom Foundation since 2022. He specializes in raising the level of civic discussion from shouted bumper sticker slogans to thoughtful examination of the key principles at stake.
Bryan and his wife, Becky, are the loving parents of 6 kids and grandparents to 3 wonderful grandchildren.
2010: Ralph Smeed
2011: Maurice Clements
2012: Don Brandt
2013: Stan Hawkins
2014: Elizabeth Hodge
2015: Dan Symms
2016: Lenore Hardy Barrett
2017: Rachel Gilbert
2016: Kathleen Sims
2017: Bryan Smith
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