Mission
The National Homeland Defense Foundation (NHDF) exists for the purpose of Securing the Future of Liberty™ through sharing of innovation, research, education, and information in the fields of homeland defense and security.
"Securing the Future of Liberty™"
History
NHDF was established in 2004 as a non-partisan, nonprofit forum and rallying point for our country’s response to the ever eminent presence of terrorism tactics, and preparing and responding to natural disasters around the country. The Foundation conducts several programs throughout the year designed to provide services to our constituents as part of our effort to achieve our mission.
Following the model of the annual Space Symposium, in 2002 a group of Colorado Springs civic leaders offered to conduct a similar conference for the newly established United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), then led by General Ralph “Ed” Eberhart. The purpose was to provide the Command with a platform for communicating with industry, academia, and other government agencies on USNORTHCOM challenges and needs. It also allowed industry, academia, and government an open forum to offer solutions and systems to meet those needs.
As the Command was new, USNORTHCOM used the symposium to communicate its vision, mission, and goals with the public. Thus, the symposium concept was adopted and the first one was conducted by volunteers at the Broadmoor in the fall of 2002, and again in 2003.
In 2004, the National Homeland Defense Foundation (NHDF) was conceived, a Board of Directors established, and the organization was granted a tax-exempt status by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Initial funding was secured and an Executive Director and staff were hired. The staff has conducted subsequent symposia, all at the Broadmoor. In 2010 the symposium was re-named “The NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM on Homeland Security and Defense™.”
Since its inception, NHDF has been the public non-profit organization that has provided a public forum for the discussion and presentation of various homeland defense and security issues and solutions. Some NORTHCOM Directorates have assisted in assembling panels and identifying speakers and presenters, all for the benefit of advancing various NORTHCOM goals and missions.
NHDF acquired the rights to the annual National Security Innovation Competition (NSIC) in 2011 from the Colorado Homeland Defense Alliance (CHDA). NSIC was first held in 2007 and has grown into a significant event where universities from North America submit their homeland security centric projects to a panel of judges and compete for cash awards as granted by NHDF. The 2011 NSIC will be held April 29, 2011, at Doolittle Hall on the campus of The US Air Force Academy.
