The National Endowment for Democracy is a private, nonprofit foundation dedicated to the growth and strengthening of democratic institutions around the world. The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is a private, nonprofit foundation dedicated to the growth and strengthening of democratic institutions around the world. SEE SCHEDULE ONED HAS A SINGULAR MISSION - ADVANCING DEMOCRACY IN SUPPORT OF FREEDOM AROUND THE WORLD. OUR TARGETED, DEMAND-DRIVEN SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM RESPONDS TO THE NEEDS OF LOCAL NGOS THAT DEFEND HUMAN RIGHTS, STRENGTHEN INDEPENDENT MEDIA AND CIVIC EDUCATION, AND EMPOWER WOMEN AND YOUTH IN A MANNER THAT ENABLES THEM TO ESTABLISH CREDIBILITY AS DEMOCRATIZING FORCES IN THEIR OWN SOCIETIES. NED'S STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES (1984): "DEMOCRACY INVOLVES THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE FREELY TO DETERMINE THEIR OWN DESTINY. THE EXERCISE OF THIS RIGHT REQUIRES A SYSTEM THAT GUARANTEES FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, BELIEF AND ASSOCIATION, FREE AND COMPETITIVE ELECTIONS, RESPECT FOR THE INALIENABLE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS AND MINORITIES, FREE COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA, AND THE RULE OF LAW."