PHILADELPHIA — A limited-government nonprofit group has launched a $20 million initiative aimed at revitalizing American pride as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026. Americans for Prosperity, or AFP, kicked off its "One Small Step" campaign with a high-profile event here in the city where the United States was born, drawing speakers including a former Super Bowl-winning quarterback and a state treasurer eyeing a gubernatorial run.
The campaign, which plays on astronaut Neil Armstrong's famous words from the 1969 moon landing, seeks to reconnect Americans with their history and founding principles while encouraging civic engagement. AFP is partnering with Concerned Veterans for America and the LIBRE Initiative, a group focused on engaging Latino communities, to host 12 marquee events across the country. The Philadelphia kickoff on Thursday featured 1981 Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl quarterback Ron Jaworski, the hosts of the "Ruthless" podcast, and Stacy Garrity, Pennsylvania's state treasurer and a Republican candidate for governor in 2026.
Emily Seidel, president of AFP, addressed the crowd at the event, emphasizing the urgency of the effort amid reports of waning national pride. "I do think that we do have to have a sense of urgency about defending freedom because we've been crowing a lot leading up to this year about how people's pride in America is at an all-time low and that is a huge red flag," Seidel said, according to a Fox News report. She linked declining belief in the American dream to expanding government, adding, "People's belief that they can reach the American dream is declining. It's not a coincidence that those numbers are going down as the size and scope of government is going up — that loss of agency is really harmful for a free society."
The initiative draws inspiration from the semiquincentennial celebrations planned by the official America250 commission, but AFP's version focuses on grassroots action to promote liberty, dignity, and opportunity. As part of the campaign, AFP state chapters are challenged to complete "250,000 Steps for Freedom," which includes 250,000 individual actions such as door knocks to spread messages about policy issues aligned with the Founding Fathers' vision. The "Ruthless" podcasters, speaking at the Philadelphia event, noted that just 40 door knocks in a community could count as 40 such actions.
AFP's statement underscored the campaign's goals: "For 250 years, freedom and opportunity have defined the American spirit, unleashed prosperity for millions, and led to awe-inspiring innovation that has changed the world." The group added that sustaining these ideals for the next 250 years requires "the small but critical steps of millions of people." To amplify the message, the campaign includes eight-figure investments in digital and television advertisements, which will feature stories of Americans from history and today, along with digital toolkits for public participation in celebrating founding principles.
Seidel elaborated on the broader mission in comments to Fox News Digital. "One Small Step is our effort to build a long-term national movement celebrating the founding principles that make America so exceptional: liberty, dignity, and opportunity," she said. "If we want to change the trajectory of Americans’ pride in this country, we need to remind people of our shared values and what it means to be American." She stressed that these principles are not relics of the past but tools for the future: "These principles aren’t just part of our past; they are essential to navigating our future. This is not about loving America louder — it’s about understanding America better. Freedom doesn’t sustain itself. People do."
The Philadelphia event ties into the city's rich historical significance, including its role in the American Revolution and the preservation of artifacts like the Liberty Bell. The bell, originally saved from British forces by local farmer Frederick Leaser during the Revolutionary War, now resides in a shrine here and symbolizes the enduring fight for independence. AFP's choice of starting point underscores the campaign's aim to evoke the nation's origins amid contemporary challenges to national identity.
Upcoming marquee events are planned in locations with deep historical resonance, such as Springfield, Illinois — the hometown of President Abraham Lincoln — and Washington, D.C. These gatherings are designed to counter what organizers describe as declining pride in American identity, particularly as polls show varying levels of patriotism across demographics. For instance, recent surveys have indicated that younger generations and certain minority groups report lower levels of national pride compared to older cohorts, though exact figures can differ by polling organization.
Sandra Benitez, executive director of the LIBRE Initiative, highlighted the campaign's appeal to Hispanic Americans, who she said grasp the promise of America on a personal level. "Freedom, opportunity and dignity aren’t abstract concepts; they are the principles that inspired our families to come to America in the first place," Benitez told Fox News Digital. She positioned the initiative as inclusive: "One Small Step invites Americans from every background to see themselves in the nation’s story — because that story continues with all of us." LIBRE, which focuses on civic education for Latinos, joins AFP in targeting communities that may feel disconnected from traditional narratives of American exceptionalism.
The launch comes as preparations for the 250th anniversary gain momentum nationwide. The official America250 commission, established by Congress, is coordinating large-scale commemorations from 2026 onward, including events at Independence Hall in Philadelphia and the National Mall in Washington. Private initiatives like AFP's add a layer of advocacy, blending celebration with calls for policy changes to reduce government overreach and foster individual agency.
Broader context includes a surge in travel interest for anniversary-related sites, with experts warning of booking rushes for historical landmarks. In New York City, the Times Square Ball is set to glow in red, white, and blue for the occasion, while the Washington Monument will be illuminated as a symbolic "birthday candle." These public spectacles contrast with AFP's emphasis on personal involvement, suggesting a multifaceted approach to marking the milestone.
Critics of such campaigns, though not directly addressed in the event coverage, have in the past questioned the motives of conservative-leaning groups like AFP, which is funded by libertarian billionaire Charles Koch and his network. However, organizers maintain the focus is nonpartisan civic renewal. AFP's efforts build on its history of mobilizing for issues like tax reform and deregulation, now framed through the lens of historical commemoration.
Looking ahead, the "One Small Step" campaign plans to roll out its events over the coming months, with state-level actions ramping up toward 2026. By encouraging everyday Americans to take tangible steps — from volunteering to advocating for policies — AFP hopes to foster a renewed sense of purpose. As Seidel put it, the initiative is about ensuring that the freedoms won 250 years ago endure for generations to come.
In Philadelphia, attendees left the event inspired, with Jaworski sharing anecdotes from his football career to draw parallels with teamwork in defending democratic values. Garrity, the state treasurer, spoke on Pennsylvania's role in the founding and the need for fiscal responsibility today. Together, the speakers painted a picture of America at a crossroads, where small actions could tip the balance toward renewed optimism.
As the nation reflects on its journey from 13 colonies to global superpower, campaigns like this one highlight ongoing debates about what it means to be American in the 21st century. With investments in media and community outreach, AFP's $20 million push positions itself as a catalyst for change, one step at a time.