FDD was founded shortly after 9/11 by a group of visionary philanthropists and policymakers to support the defense of democratic societies under assault by terrorism and militant Islamism. Our Leadership Council of Distinguished Advisors includes former FBI Director Louis J. Freeh, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former National Security Advisor Robert "Bud" McFarlane, former Ambassador Max Kampelman, Sen. Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), and former CIA Director R. James Woolsey.

Those affiliated with FDD come from many backgrounds and political perspectives, but all believe:
- No one should be denied basic human rights, including minority rights, women's rights, and religious freedom.
- Free and democratic nations have a right to defend themselves and an obligation to defend one another.
- Terrorism, the deliberate use of violence against citizens to achieve political objectives, is always wrong and must never be condoned.

An activist think tank with a solid track record of transforming ideas into actions that get results, FDD uniquely combines policy research, counterterrorism and democracy education, strategic communications, and investigative journalism. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies focuses its efforts where opinions are formed and, ultimately, where the war of ideas will be won or lost: in the media, on college campuses, in the courthouse, and in the policy community, both at home and abroad.