NCFREE: The Reason Behind the Name

Over the years, many supporters and partners have asked questions about our name: They say, “Why are you called NCFREE, when it should be NCFEF?” Or they ask, “Is it a typo when you combine ‘FreeEnterprise’ as one word instead of two?” There is a reason, and it’s rooted in our rich history.

The NCFREE Acronym

The organization now known as the North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation traces its roots back to 1983, when it was founded as the North Carolina Forum for Research and Economic Education. In its early years, the organization operated as a membership-based entity focused on economic research, education, and strengthening North Carolina’s private sector economy.

Over time, that organization became widely known among business leaders, policymakers, researchers, journalists, and others by a simple shorthand (and, at the time, an accurate acronym): NCFREE. They adopted the moniker, and it stuck.

Over time, additional entities were created to complement the organization under the broader umbrella of NCFREE, including a political action committee known as FREE PAC. Later, recognizing the need for a permanent, research-focused nonprofit, leaders established a 501(c)(3): the North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation.

This is how we exist today: a fully nonpartisan education organization providing top-tier business intelligence and research for North Carolina’s business leaders. Today, NCFREE carries forward the mission, credibility, and institutional memory built over four decades.

Making Free and Enterprise One Word

You’ll also notice that we intentionally combine FreeEnterprise into a single word. That choice is deeply North Carolinian.

North Carolina is the nation’s leading producer of the sweetpotato, and for decades, the industry has insisted on spelling it as one word. Why? Because it’s not “a potato that’s sweet.” It’s a distinct thing with its own identity.

We think FreeEnterprise works the same way. It’s not just an enterprise that is free. It’s a system that allows individuals and entrepreneurs to flourish. In North Carolina, that philosophy is a single, cohesive value.

In summary, we are proudly known today as the North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation (NCFREE). We are proud of our rich history and the prominent role NCFREE continues to play in securing North Carolina’s economic future.

Thank you for your continued interest in and support of NCFREE’s work.

Alex Baltzegar, Executive Director