Our Mission

The Constitution Coalition was established in July 1978 by Donna Hearne as a not-for-profit, nonpartisan think tank  dedicated to educating and defending American liberties. Donna Hearne was a young mother and American patriot. She earned her degree in elementary education from Washington University in St. Louis, feared a fascist agenda infiltrating her childrens’ classrooms. With a deep commitment to education and a desire to protect the values established in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, Donna founded the Constitution Coalition to combat extreme progressivism. The Coalition served as an educational think tank, uniting parents, educators, and policymakers to discuss and raise awareness about the dangers infiltrating the educational system.One weekday evening, Donna and her husband Mark attended a casual dinner at a friend's home, where they met a man who would change her life. “There was a special guest there that was extremely interesting and open and wanted to listen to what I had to say,” Donna recalled. “I was a young mother-to-be, 28 years old, and expecting my fourth child. It changed my life because that person was Ronald Reagan. He had an incredible depth of wisdom, intelligence, and humor. And yet, he wanted to hear what I and some other people had to say. It was just a small group of people for about four hours, but we sat down and had dinner and visited in the living room around the sofas and chairs.”​Inspired by this encounter, Donna founded the Constitution Coalition with a clear mission: to educate citizens about the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Donna believed these documents contained absolutes that formed the basis of our laws, recognizing God as the giver of our freedoms. It was important to establish and uphold these truths in the classroom. “It became important to tell American parents what terrible things were happening in the classroom,” she explained. The Coalition hosted annual conferences and published a quarterly newspaper entitled The Front Line, that provided research materials to equip families and grassroots activists to defend freedom and understand their constitutional rights.​Under Donna’s leadership as Executive Director, the Coalition grew into a prominent research organization. Her influence expanded further when she was appointed by President Reagan to work in the U.S. Department of Education from 1981 to 1991. Thereafter, she served on several policy-making boards, including an appointment in 1988 to America 2000, the forerunner of Goals 2000. She was also a prolific author, hosted a radio talk show for more than thirty years, and served on a local school board.​Donna’s work with the Coalition was driven by her deep care for people and her desire to share the truth. Her passion energized those around her, and she drew strength and encouragement from her family and faith. The Constitution Coalition disseminated excellent research materials, empowering families and grassroots activists to stand up for their beliefs and protect their freedoms. Through her dedication and unwavering commitment, Donna left a lasting legacy, inspiring others to uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence.Today, the Constitutional Coalition continues its mission and purpose as a non-partisan 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization dedicated to fostering awareness of and appreciation for the United States Constitution and the foundational principles upon which the United States of America was established. The Constitution and the Rule of Law, rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition, form the bedrock of America’s civil society, ensuring that current and future generations may thrive.