Young America’s Foundation Chapter Created at NYU
This past month, several students announced the creation of a Young America’s Foundation chapter at New York University. Young America’s Foundation, known widely as YAF, is a conservative non-profit youth organization that aims to spread conservative ideals, like individual freedom, a strong national defense, free enterprise, and traditional values.
Founded in 1960, the group maintains a presence on over 2,000 college campuses, holding events, and programming with notable guest speakers. According to their website, in 2023, the organization raised more than $40,000,000 to promote conservative ideals and activism on campus.
As a coalition between conservatives, and libertarians on college campuses, YAF has become renowned for expanding discourse on campus, with often tense debates between conservative speakers and students. In the past, guest speakers included Ben Shapiro, Micheal Knowles, Ben Carson, Dennis Prager, Greg Gutfeld, Rick Santorum, and countless others.
Former United States Senator, Rick Santorum addresses university students at YAF event (Courtesy of YAF).
Joseph Aronov, a senior at NYU, and the Chairman and Founder of NYU’s chapter for YAF, told The NYU Review, that the group plans to “have conservative ideas represented on campus, and host speaker events.” He also hopes to educate people on national issues and encourage public discourse on relevant issues
Aronov, along with Vice Chairman of YAF NYU, Yael Gabbaizadeh will oversee the early stages of development as the group begins planning events and programming. Operating as @yafnyu on Instagram, the group has encouraged interested students to become members, calling it “a great first step in getting connected to the conservative movement.” Aronov also noted that the group “welcomes people of all political affiliations,” reiterating that the group is committed to free expression, and promotes a vast marketplace for ideas.
The foundation has previously attracted national attention for bringing conservative activism to liberal universities. NYU’s YAF chapter will now quickly become one of the few conservative student groups on campus, joining NYU’s College Republicans. In 2017, fighting broke out when conservative writer, Gavin McInnes spoke to NYU’s College Republicans, leading to news coverage from the Wall Street Journal.
YAF NYU has not announced any events or programming, but organizers tell The NYU Review that more developments will be announced in the next few weeks.
The NYU Review is monitoring the situation for further developments.
