Andrew Goodman Foundation

Andrew Goodman Foundation. The Andrew Goodman Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting youth civic engagement and voting rights across the United States. Established in memory of Andrew Goodman, a Freedom Summer volunteer murdered by the Ku Klux Klan in 1964, the organization works to empower young leaders to drive social change. Its core initiatives include the Andrew Goodman Vote Everywhere program, which partners with colleges and universities to support on-campus civic engagement and remove barriers to student voting.

History and founding

The organization was founded in 1966 by Robert Goodman and Carolyn Goodman, the parents of Andrew Goodman. Their son, alongside fellow CORE volunteers James Chaney and Michael Schwerner, was killed near Philadelphia, Mississippi, during the pivotal Freedom Summer campaign to register African Americans to vote. In the aftermath of this tragedy, the Goodman family channeled their grief into action, establishing the foundation to continue Andrew’s work for civil rights and social justice. Initially focused on supporting various human rights causes, the foundation later honed its mission to specifically address youth voter suppression and civic participation, reflecting the enduring legacy of the murders that galvanized the nation and helped pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Mission and programs

The central mission is to make young voices a powerful force in American democracy by increasing youth voter participation and developing the next generation of leaders. Its flagship initiative, Andrew Goodman Vote Everywhere, embeds paid student Ambassadors and faculty advisors at campuses nationwide to organize voter registration drives, advocate for campus polling places, and educate peers on electoral issues. The foundation also runs the Hidden Heroes campaign, which highlights stories of young activists, and provides resources like the Campus Vote Project-informed voter guides. Additional programs include leadership training summits, fellowships focused on public policy, and strategic partnerships with organizations such as the Fair Elections Center and the Students Learn Students Vote coalition.

Andrew Goodman's legacy

Andrew Goodman’s legacy is the foundational inspiration for all activities. A 20-year-old Queens College student from New York City, he volunteered with the Congress of Racial Equality during the 1964 Freedom Summer to challenge Jim Crow laws in the Southern United States. His abduction and murder, alongside James Chaney and Michael Schwerner, became a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement, drawing national attention to violent voter suppression and bolstering support for federal legislation. The foundation ensures his story and the broader struggle for voting rights remain relevant, connecting historical battles against the Ku Klux Klan and Mississippi authorities to contemporary challenges like voter ID laws and restricted polling access on college campuses.

Impact and recognition

The organization has significantly increased youth voter turnout and civic infrastructure on hundreds of campuses across the country. Its network of Ambassadors has registered tens of thousands of students and successfully advocated for new campus polling locations in states like Florida, North Carolina, and Texas. The foundation’s work has been recognized through partnerships with the National Association of Secretaries of State and features in major media outlets including The New York Times and CNN. It has also received awards from entities like the Campus Compact and is frequently cited in research on effective youth vote mobilization by institutions such as the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE).

Leadership and organization

The foundation is led by David Goodman, Andrew’s brother, who serves as President. It is governed by a Board of Directors that includes civic leaders, educators, and professionals. Day-to-day operations are managed by an executive team overseeing programs, development, and communications. A key component of its structure is the national network of Campus Champions at partner institutions, which includes university administrators, faculty, and student leaders. The organization maintains its headquarters in New York City and collaborates with a wide array of allies, from the League of Women Voters to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, to advance its goals.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in New York City Category:Voting rights organizations in the United States Category:Organizations established in 1966