America 250: Building on the Promise of Religious Freedom | July 16-17
About this Event
VENUES PENDING CONFIRMATION
America’s 250th anniversary is a once-in-a-generation moment to celebrate and reaffirm the Founders’ gift of religious freedom for everyone—and to take concrete actions to build on it. On July 16-17, 2026, IRF Secretariat will convene leaders of all faiths, civil society, business, philanthropy, and governments in Washington, D.C., for a historic, action-oriented gathering.
Day 1 — Celebrating & Reaffirming Religious Freedom (FREE)
Thursday, July 16 · 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
We will trace the Founders’ promise from the Magna Carta and John Locke through Roger Williams, William Penn, Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia Statute, and the First Amendment; hear American stories from leaders of multiple faith traditions; listen to firsthand testimonies from places where religious freedom is under siege today; and showcase the building blocks for the future.
The day concludes with the IRF Peace Builders Reception & Awards Dinner.
Evening — IRF Peace Builders Awards Gala (TICKETED)
Thursday, July 16 · 6:30 PM Reception · 7:30 PM Dinner
A reception, dinner, and presentation of the Thomas Jefferson IRF Champion Awards, Roger Williams IRF Builder Awards, IRF Prosperity Builder Awards, and the marquee IRF Peace Builder Award.
Day 2 — Building Peace & Prosperity (FREE)
Friday, July 17 · 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
The launch of the Civil Society Collaborative for Religious Freedom, Peace & Prosperity—a permanent platform built upon the IRF Roundtable as cornerstone—and reveals of the initial global, regional, and national initiatives that will give the Collaborative its first body of work.
Convening Partners
IRF Secretariat, the Alliance of Virtue, and Good Faith Partnership.
Join the Convening Coalition
The Convening Coalition is the open-enrollment partnership ring for the Forum. Coalition members are recognized on the event website, in the printed program, and across event communications; receive delegate invitations; and gain a consultative voice in the lead-up to the event.
To join, send your organization’s vector logo, a one-line statement of support, and a point of contact to [email protected].
Who Should Attend
• Leaders of all faith communities
• Civil society organizations
• Academic and policy institutions
• Business and philanthropic leaders
• Elected officials, diplomats, and government partners
• Press and media
• Anyone committed to building peace and prosperity through religious freedom and equal citizenship in the public square
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This event qualifies as a "widely attended gathering" or "widely attended event" within the meaning of 5 C.F.R. § 2635.204(g) (executive branch), paragraph 2(c) of Senate Rule 35, and clause 5(a)(3)(A) of House Rule XXV.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00 to USD 250.00
