About Us
We envision a future when Americans can travel abroad safely without fear of hostage-taking.
Our Mission
To secure freedom for Americans held unjustly captive abroad, prevent future hostage taking, and promote journalist safety.
Inspired by the life, work, and moral courage of American journalist, educator, and humanitarian James W. Foley, we advocate for the freedom of innocent US nationals held captive abroad and promote journalist safety.
To do this, we conduct unique and authoritative research about hostage-taking. We use data about issue and structured interviews that capture the lived experiences of hostage families and those who have returned from captivity to inform the public and policymakers. We make legislative and policy recommendations for reforms that will bring more Americans home more quickly, support victims, and ultimately deter and prevent the scourge of hostage-taking.
To promote journalist safety – specifically for freelancers and aspiring journalists – the Foley Foundation has developed and made freely available a safety curriculum for use by schools of journalism and communication, newsrooms, and professional associations. We collaborate with partner NGOs to continuously improve safety techniques, refine best practices, and deliver this important content innovatively and in ever more accessible ways.
James W. Foley envisioned a world that respected the dignity and life of each person, regardless of socioeconomic status, cultural background, or nationality. His life demonstrated an uncompromising commitment to the freedom of the press and advocacy for basic human rights.
Jim was known for his caring and joyful spirit, commitment, and bold idealism in a cynical world. He gave a voice to those marginalized by poverty and conflict. Jim befriended them, listened to their stories, and advocated for them. Jim was driven by a deep compassion for those without a voice. He challenges all of us to act with moral courage on behalf of others.
Our Values
Moral Courage
In a world where we face tough decisions about our humanity, our environment and our democracy, we believe in honoring and empowering those who are willing to take action for the good of others, even when those actions come with personal and political costs.
Integrity
We believe in working with families, partners and the US government in ways that are transparent, honest, credible and accountable. To this end, we use personal experience and evidence gained from research to support our work to shape policy and actions that bring Americans home.
Compassion
We care for the lives of hostages, detainees and their families, and we are motivated by our shared experiences to channel our energy and capacity into real change that benefits those who need it most.
Commitment
Time in captivity is time lost for those held hostage or wrongfully detained and for their loved ones. We use our strength, resolve and resources to stay the course, putting pressure where required to keep the focus on bringing Americans home. We will not give up or stop until all are brought home.
2015
Established Hostage US, a nonprofit organization supporting American families with a loved one in captivity and returning hostages.
Participated in the US Government Review of Hostage Policy which created an interagency Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs and White House Hostage Response Group.
Established the annual James W. Foley Freedom Run, a worldwide 5K that brings together thousands of runners and walkers globally to raise awareness of international hostage taking and promote journalist safety.
2016
Developed the James W. Foley Journalist Safety Guide in partnership with Medill/Northwestern and Reporters Without Borders for graduate journalism schools.
Established the annual James W. Foley Freedom Awards in Washington, DC to inspire moral courage in hostage advocacy, journalism, and humanitarian work.
Became a founding member of the ACOS (A Culture of Safety) Alliance, a historic international coalition of media companies, press freedom NGO’s and freelance journalist organizations to strengthen protections for independent journalists.
Collaborated with the making of the documentary, Jim: The James Foley Story, to raise awareness of hostage taking and the risks freelance journalists take, particularly in conflict zones.
2017
Provided research on hostage-taking trends to support New America’s report “To Ransom or Not to Ransom.”
2019
Published the first non-governmental review of US hostage policy, “Bringing Americans Home,” from the perspective of former hostages and their families.
Hired first Executive Director based in Washington, DC to begin establishment of a Hostage Advocacy Center.
2020
Published the second annual non-governmental review of US hostage policy, “Bringing Americans Home” from the perspective of both former hostages and wrongful detainees, and their families.
Unveiled the James W. Foley Journalism Safety Modules, developed in collaboration with Marquette University’s Diederich College of Communication, and now being used in over a dozen university journalism programs.
Provided Hostile Environment and First Aid Training (HEFAT) to more than 60 freelancers through various partnerships since our founding.
Expanded advocacy efforts before the US Congress through work with the co-sponsors of the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act, which would codify current policy and better support wrongfully detained Americans.
2021
Added two new James W. Foley Journalism Safety Modules to address risks of photojournalists, and how to survive kidnapping and wrongful detention (the latter in partnership with former hostage Caitlan Coleman).
Worked to create the first ever Congressional Task Force for Americans Held Hostage and Wrongfully Detained Abroad led by Representatives Ted Deutch and French Hill, in partnership with the Syrian Emergency Task Force.
Partnered with the Samir Kassir Foundation SKeyes Center for Media and Cultural Freedom to publish an Arabic translation of the James W. Foley Journalism Safety Modules.
Established a pilot partnership with Head Set, an immersive learning system for journalists, to provide safety training with their course on Stress Management & Civil Unrest for 30 reporters through 2022.
Jim’s Story
James W. Foley dedicated his life to shedding light on the stories of those living through the harsh realities of conflict. His passion for storytelling took him to the frontlines, where he fearlessly documented the human struggles that often go unnoticed.
