Founding Fathers are persons instrumental not only in the establishment (founding) of a political institution, but also in the origination of the idea of the institution. Founding Fathers are often held in very high regard within that institution in later times.

Some have objected to the term as sexist, suggesting instead words more inclusive of the role of women, such as Framers or Founders. Opponents of this view see the alternate terms as examples of political correctness, and argue that Founding Fathers accurately reflects the reality of the time.

• The creators and early developers of the United States of America, such as the signers of its Declaration of Independence and the framers of its Constitution—see Founding Fathers of the United States.

• Canada has its Fathers of Confederation—see Canadian Confederation.

• The leaders of the Australian federalist movement in the 1890s might also be described as Founding Fathers.

• Robert Schuman, Jean Monnet, Konrad Adenauer, Alcide De Gasperi, Paul-Henri Spaak and Altiero Spinelli have been referred to as the founding fathers of the European Union.

• Simon Bolivar, Jose Antonio Paez, General Rafael Urdaneta, Francisco de Paula Santander have been referred to as the founding fathers of the northern countries of South America (Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Panama, Ecuador, Bolivia)

• Giuseppe Garibaldi, Victor Emmanuel II, Count Cavour, Giuseppe Mazzini have been referred to as the founding fathers of the Kingdom of Italy

• Eidgenossen

• Founding Fathers of the United States
• Father of the Nation