The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation and the Daniels Fund are named after notable figures in American industry. They didn’t start with privilege but with hard work and perseverance, despite setbacks. Lynde and Harry Bradley, from Milwaukee, left school early to support their family. Their mother accommodated boarders to make ends meet. They worked tirelessly, eventually establishing The Allen-Bradley Company. This company significantly contributed to modern manufacturing with its automation and control equipment.
Bill Daniels’ journey was comparable. Born in Greeley, Colorado, in 1920, his family relocated to Iowa due to his father’s job loss during the Depression. At 12, Daniels sold ice cream to support his family. He later became a key figure in advancing early cable television, earning recognition as a pioneer.
Their stories are not just about what they achieved but their understanding of their blessings. Both the Bradleys and Daniels remembered their humble beginnings. They valued the American privilege of freedom—the freedom to try, fail, and succeed through perseverance. They appreciated the institutions and principles facilitating their progress.
Daniels invested heavily in communities across Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, focusing on education and opportunities. The Bradleys contributed to Milwaukee, enhancing civic, educational, and cultural spheres.
These efforts reflect the potential of the American system. Despite imperfections, the U.S. aims to provide equal treatment and the freedom to pursue happiness. America drives entrepreneurship, producing nearly half of the world’s startup activity and remaining among the top places for new businesses.
As the U.S. nears its 250th anniversary, it’s vital to understand what fuels this dynamism over time. It’s not rooted in one industry or generation of founders but in enduring principles upheld by each generation.
There are growing challenges—distrust in institutions, weakened civic bonds, and uncertainty about fundamental ideals. Three core principles need reaffirmation:
- Rule of Law: Provides stability, ensuring rights protection and enabling investment.
- Civil Society: Americans rely on families, religious groups, and community organizations to address issues.
- Informed Citizenry: A free society hinges on educated individuals who debate and pass knowledge and civic habits down.
These principles fostered the success stories of two high school dropouts in Milwaukee and a young man with an ice cream bike, culminating in transformative companies.
Both foundations continue the legacy of local investment and civic engagement. The Daniels Fund and The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation together have allocated over $3 billion in grants to uphold civil society, defend rule of law, support informed citizenship, and expand opportunity.
The American experiment thrives not by assuring success but by safeguarding the liberty to pursue goals. As the nation marks 250 years, it’s crucial to maintain this freedom and the institutions supporting it for future generations. If achieved, the spirit of innovation and ambition among Americans will persist, akin to the Bradleys and Daniels’ journeys.
Richard Graber leads The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation. Hanna Skandera is at the helm of the Daniels Fund. Their expressions in this article belong to them.
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