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The Friends Of Irish Freedom was initially organized in March 1916, at the first broad-based Irish Race Convention, which was convened in New York City. The purpose in forming this organization was to provide the means "to encourage and assist any movement that would tend to bring about the national independence of Ireland." The first President was Victor Herbert, the Treasurer was Thomas Hughes Kelly, and the National Secretary was John D. Moore. Along with Clan na Gael, Friends Of Irish Freedom supported the Easter Rising of 1916, and, in the aftermath of the Rebellion, raised US$350,000.00 for the Irish Relief Fund to assist the dependents of Republican prisoners.

Friends Of Irish Freedom was re-orgainzed in the United States due to the recognition of members of the Irish-American community of the need for an organization to be devoted exclusively to raising funds for the benefit of families of Republican political prisoners. The F.O.I.F. officially re-organized in New York City in 1989. Since that time, Chapters have been established in Boston, Chicago, and New York; they have been providing support directly to Prisoner's Dependents Committees. Among the beneficiaries of this "all volunteer" and non-partisan organization have been: Sister Sarah Clarke, the Tyrone P.D.F., Cabhair, the Republican Prisoners Welfare Association, Father Raymond Murray, Malachy McAllister & Family, the Irish American Deportee Families, and Richard Johnson.