NUFDI's 2024 End of Year Report
Dear Supporters and Friends of NUFDI,
As we close out another pivotal year, it is my honor to present NUFDI’s 2024 Executive Summary and performance report. This page offers a comprehensive look at our efforts and achievements in advancing democracy, human rights, and freedom for the Iranian people. The global and regional landscape in the Middle East has grown increasingly complex, with significant developments taking place over the course of the last year. In this time of uncertainty, NUFDI remained steadfastly focused on its mission: to give a voice to the aspirations of the Iranian people and to advocate for policies in Washington that empower them in their struggle for freedom.
This year, we have built upon our previous successes, achieving notable milestones across policy advocacy, outreach, engagement, and growth. Some of the highlights include:
MAHSA Act Victory: After tireless advocacy, the MAHSA Act was passed by Congress and signed into law, representing a legislative landmark in supporting the rights of the Iranian people.
Max Support Strategy Expansion, the Iran Prosperity Project, and Fereydoun: Building on our signature Maximum Support blueprint, NUFDI partnered with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) to launch a joint Max Support strategy, expanding our impact and reinforcing a people-centric approach to U.S.-Iran policy. The 2024 Iran Conference saw the unveiling of NUFDI’s Iran Prosperity Project (IPP), a roadmap to building an economy that can support Iran's socioeconomic needs after the fall of the Islamic Republic. Meanwhile, NUFDI’s Persian-language publication, Fereydoun, has never been stronger, commanding its largest audience to date.
Events and Platforms: Our annual Iran Conference (September 26-27) further solidified its status as Washington’s premier Iran policy forum, while our Norooz Gala in March brought together the Iranian-American community and policy leaders in celebration and solidarity.
Digital Growth and Media Initiatives: NUFDI’s Instagram following expanded to 48,000 and our X following surged to 37,100. We relaunched the Iran Uncovered Podcast, releasing six new episodes featuring expert guests, and introduced Two Minutes in Tehran, a weekly video update that has significantly broadened our audience, as well as “Flash Posts” to deliver immediate updates on breaking news. Furthermore, NUFDI staff members engaged in over 20 broadcast interviews and were quoted in dozens of articles published in prominent outlets.
Team Expansion: The organization witnessed unprecedented growth, welcoming our largest intern class to date and adding two new fellows along with two new full-time staff members to our roster, further diversifying our expertise and strengthening our capacity.
As we reflect on these accomplishments, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you. Your support, advocacy, and engagement fuel NUFDI’s efforts. Together, we’ve taken concrete steps to champion the cause of the Iranian people.
As we welcome the possibilities and hope of the new year, I want to thank you for the invaluable role you’ve played in sustaining our mission. Your steadfast support, whether through volunteering, donating, or advocating on NUFDI’s behalf, has been essential to our work championing democracy, human rights, and freedom in Iran. We simply could not do it without you. If you would like to continue standing with us in this vital cause, please consider making a donation by visiting our pagehere. Every contribution helps amplify the voices of the Iranian people and ensures that our shared vision remains at the forefront of U.S. policy. Wishing you a happy, healthy, and inspiring year ahead—together, we can make 2025 a year of progress and possibility.
With warm regards,
Dr. Saeed Ganji
President
The MAHSA Act: A Legislative Landmark
In a defining moment for our advocacy, the MAHSA Act, championed by NUFDI and supported by countless Iranian-Americans, was enacted into law this year. This legislation signals that the United States recognizes the Iranian people’s ongoing struggle for human rights and is willing to put policy into action. NUFDI’s persistent outreach—drafting policy briefs, holding congressional meetings, and facilitating community voices—played a pivotal role in informing lawmakers and ultimately ensuring the Act’s passage. The MAHSA Act stands as a testament to the power of coordinated advocacy and represents a significant step forward in aligning U.S. policy with the democratic aspirations of the Iranian people.
Joint Maximum Support Strategy Launch with FDD and the Unveiling of IPP
NUFDI’s cornerstone policy framework, “Maximum Support,” initially introduced in 2023, gained additional momentum in 2024 through a strategic collaboration with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). This joint Maximum Support strategy refines and reinforces our people-first approach to U.S.-Iran policy. By combining NUFDI’s grassroots insights and diaspora connections with FDD’s policy expertise, we have advanced a compelling, actionable blueprint for policymakers. This collaboration underscores our dedication to expanding the conversation on Iran and ensuring that American policy leads with empowerment of the Iranian people and accountability for the Islamic Republic regime.
This year’s Iran Conference saw the unveiling of NUFDI’s Iran Prosperity Project (IPP), a roadmap to building an economy that can support Iran's socioeconomic needs after the fall of the Islamic Republic. Through a series of white papers, presentations, and other media, we strive to present a viable path for Iran's future. Our mission is to provide the hope we have for a free Iran to be a prosperous and fair one and to show that there is a path that can lead to making it a reality.
Engagement with Government and Congress
Building on our successes from the previous year, NUFDI remained active on Capitol Hill, holding numerous briefings with congressional staffers, advisors, and members. Early in the year, NUFDI held dozens of meetings on the Hill to ensure the signing of the MAHSA Act into law. We continued to circulate our monthly ‘Iran Policy Insider’ newsletter to Hill staffers, offering critical updates on policy proposals, national security threats, and breaking news from Iran. Beyond Congress, our policy team provided counsel to officials in certain U.S. agencies, ensuring that human rights and democratic development remained priorities in U.S. foreign policy.
As a new administration takes office, NUFDI has made concerted efforts to cultivate relationships with key decision-makers in the incoming team. These early connections position NUFDI to effectively engage with influential policymakers and advocates, ensuring that Iran’s pro-democracy aspirations remain front and center in the formation and execution of U.S. foreign policy over the next four years. Our proactive outreach and trusted expertise in Washington’s policy circles will allow us to capitalize on emerging opportunities and amplify the Iranian people’s voice in the political discourse.
The Iran Conference & Norooz Gala
Norooz Gala:
In March, we hosted our annual Norooz Gala to celebrate the Persian New Year and highlight the resilience, cultural heritage, and democratic aspirations of Iranian-Americans. Attendees included community leaders, members of Congress, and policy experts, all united by the shared goal of ensuring that the voices of the Iranian people resonate powerfully in the corridors of American policymaking. Preparatory outreach, including social media promos, ensured a strong turnout.
The Iran Conference:
Now in its third year, the Iran Conference (September 26-27) once again brought together a broad spectrum of voices—activists, scholars, policymakers, journalists, dissidents—and featured a keynote address from HIH Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. This two-day event, held in Washington, D.C., served as a platform to dissect evolving regional dynamics, the challenges facing the Iranian pro-democracy movement, and the implications of shifting allegiances throughout the Middle East. We prepared extensively, teasing speaker announcements on social media in August and September. The conference gained robust engagement from journalists and scholars. Real-time coverage, including posts on Manoto TV’s conference segments, brought the event’s discourse to thousands online.
Digital Growth, Podcasts, and Media Initiatives
As NUFDI’s influence expanded, so did our digital footprint. We redoubled efforts to engage broader audiences and diversify our content:
Social Media: By the end of 2024, NUFDI’s X following grew to 37.1k (~25% increase) and our Instagram following to 48k (~30% increase), marking a robust increase in our reach.
Iran Uncovered Podcast: Relaunched this year, the Iran Uncovered Podcast produced six new episodes featuring policymakers, human rights advocates, and analysts. These conversations have served as a valuable conduit for nuanced discussions, bringing fresh perspectives on U.S.-Iran relations and amplifying voices advocating for democratic change.
Two Minutes in Tehran (TMIT): Our new weekly online video segment, Two Minutes in Tehran, offers concise, timely insights into key developments inside Iran. Garnering significant attention, it has rapidly become an important source of accessible, up-to-date analysis for our audience, broadening NUFDI’s engagement beyond traditional policy circles.
Flash Posts: In addition, we introduced “Flash Posts” as a rapid-response communication tool. These short, bite-sized social media updates quickly transfer breaking news and critical developments from the Persian language media sphere into the English language discourse. Flash Posts have proven to be an extremely effective form of outreach, capturing immediate attention, ensuring rapid knowledge dissemination, and enhancing the global community’s understanding of events as they unfold inside Iran.
Broadcast Interviews: This year, NUFDI staff members engaged in over 20 media interviews with outlets including Fox News, NewsNation, Newsmax, and many more.
Community Engagement and Outreach
NUFDI’s work continued to be guided by the Iranian-American community’s perspectives and needs. Throughout 2024, our team traveled extensively across the United States, meeting with community members and listening to their policy priorities. We participated in grassroots events, hosted online forums, and convened diaspora thought leaders for roundtable discussions. Engaging the community in meaningful dialogue remains at the core of our mission. Our coordination with other foreign policy think tanks, diaspora organizations, and activist groups ensured that the community’s concerns are heard in Washington and that our advocacy remains grounded in authentic representation.
Organizational Growth
This year marked substantial organizational growth. We welcomed our largest-ever cohort of interns during the summer semester, providing them with practical training, mentorship, and direct exposure to foreign policy advocacy. Additionally, we brought on two new fellows as well as two new full-time staff members, each possessing unique expertise in Iranian politics, human rights issues, and policy analysis. Their contributions have enriched our policy outputs, broadened our network, and strengthened NUFDI’s capacity to serve as a robust resource hub for both policymakers and the Iranian-American community.
Content Production and Thought Leadership
NUFDI’s research and publications continued to influence the policy debate on Iran. In addition to producing several briefs related to current events in Iran, we published new legislative memos, op-eds, and Iran Uncensored blog posts addressing emerging challenges. We maintained a steady presence in influential media outlets, expanding our commentary to address how changing dynamics in the broader Middle East—from the aftermath of the Assad regime’s downfall to the death of Ebrahim Raisi—could shape opportunities and obstacles for Iran’s democratic movement. NUFDI staff have engaged in over 20 broadcast interviews and have been quoted in dozens of articles published in outlets including Newsweek, the New York Post, Voice of America, Jewish Insider, AFP, and many more.