Awarded since 2004, the Templeton Freedom Award is named for the late investor and philanthropist Sir John Templeton. The award annually honors his legacy by identifying and recognizing the most exceptional and innovative contributions to the understanding of free enterprise, and the public policies that encourage prosperity, innovation, and human fulfillment via free competition. The winner is awarded $100,000 and the other finalists are awarded $25,000. The award, generously supported by the Templeton Religion Trust, is presented annual during Atlas Network's Liberty Forum & Freedom Dinner. Here are the past winners and finalists:
2017 Templeton Freedom Award Finalists
2017 Finalist: Beacon Center of Tennessee (Nashville, Tennessee)
Project: Tackle the Hall Income Tax
Overview: For decades, Tennessee has claimed to be an income tax-free state, and for decades, this has been a lie. Despite a constitutional amendment banning income taxes, Tennessee continued to tax income gained through investment with its “Hall Tax.” But last year, the Beacon Center of Tennessee fought back with a comprehensive public awareness and digital advertising campaign “Tackle the Hall Tax.” The Beacon Center’s relentless advocacy culminated in a full repeal of the Hall Tax, and Tennessee is now only the second state in history to fully repeal an income tax. Tennessee taxpayers are projected to save over $300 million dollars per year, and now, as a truly income tax-free state, Tennessee can rightfully be counted as a beacon for economic freedom. Read more here.