About The Center For Individualism

Our Mission

To lead a revival of self-reliance and individualism in America.

Our Vision

A national shift away from a culture of dependence and collectivism and towards a culture of individualism based on self-reliance, self-direction, and self-empowerment.

Individualism and the Pursuit of Happiness

Our country was founded on the principles of individualism. The Founding Fathers conceived of the United States as a nation of energetic, self-reliant individuals who would use their liberty and creativity to build a better society by pursuing better lives for themselves. They understood that a culture of individualism was essential for creating economic growth, cultural cohesion, and social well being.

Today’s leaders in economics, psychology, and sociology have confirmed empirically what the Founding Fathers knew from philosophy and experience. Citizens of countries with strong individualist values enjoy higher per-capita income, higher economic growth rates, lower poverty rates, higher life expectancy, and a greater sense of well-being than their peers in collectivist countries.[1]

Restoring the Individualist Spirit

Despite these facts, individualism in America faces an uncertain future. Our historical values of self-reliance and individual liberty are losing ground to identity politics, centralized power, and other features of collectivist society. Institutions such as the political parties and major universities pressure free-spirited individuals into dependence and conformity. The erosion of individualism is not just a threat to individuals, but to our economy, our culture, and our society at large.

The Center for Individualism exists to revive individualism in America. We are a catalyst for cultural change and a hub for all who aspire to live a self-reliant life. We produce content, curate resources, provide services, and facilitate relationships that empower people to achieve their personal and economic ambitions. Our purpose is to support individuals in building a better life for themselves—and in so doing, to build a better society for all.

CFI is:

1. A resource center where individuals can engage with content and tools to support their entrepreneurial aspirations.
2. A community for entrepreneurs to share ideas and best practices and to build relationships that can help them succeed.
3. A think-tank that influences culture by advancing rigorous research and initiatives in self-reliance and the individualism economy.