HRF Financial Freedom program named finalist for Templeton Freedom Award

NEW YORK (Aug. 28, 2025) — The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) is honored to announce that its Financial Freedom program has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious Templeton Freedom Award, presented annually by Atlas Network. Named for the late investor and philanthropist Sir John Templeton, the prestigious award honors his legacy by recognizing organizations that make innovative contributions to economic freedom and human progress.

HRF’s Financial Freedom program challenges financial repression in authoritarian regimes by equipping dissidents, activists, and civil society organizations with tools to defend their independence. Since its launch in 2017, the program has promoted the use of Bitcoin and other decentralized, open-source technologies as lifelines for those living under tyranny.

Through education, training, grants, and community-building, HRF empowers activists to safeguard savings, receive donations, and operate under conditions of censorship and financial surveillance. HRF’s Bitcoin Development Fund has supported more than 300 individuals and projects since 2020 who are working to make Bitcoin a better and more accessible tool for human rights under authoritarian regimes. The Financial Freedom program also supports global adoption of freedom tech through initiatives like the Finney Freedom Prize, Bitcoin education programs for nonprofits in more than 50 countries, the Financial Freedom Report, and research projects such as our Central Bank Digital Currency Tracker.

“Authoritarians use financial control as a weapon to silence dissent. HRF’s Financial Freedom program exists to give activists and everyday people the tools to resist, protect their resources, and continue their vital work for liberty,” said HRF’s Chief Strategy Officer Alex Gladstein. “We are deeply grateful that Atlas Network has recognized these efforts by naming HRF’s initiative a finalist for the Templeton Freedom Award.”

The winner of the 2025 Templeton Freedom Award will be announced at the Liberty Forum & Freedom Dinner in New York City on Nov. 13, 2025. The grand prize is $150,000, with runners-up receiving $30,000 each.

Founded in 2005, the Templeton Freedom Award is considered one of the most prestigious global prizes for organizations advancing human liberty.

HRF congratulates our fellow nominees for their inspiring contributions to freedom around the world, and we thank Atlas Network for recognizing the impact of our work through this honor.

The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that promotes and protects human rights globally, with a focus on closed societies.

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