Founding Charter

Heroes in Focus Inc.

Rory Lewis Non-Profit

Copyright © Rory Lewis Non Profit (Heroes in Focus), All Rights Reserved. The Heroes in Focus non-profit is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity. EIN 33-2920765 All contributions to Heroes in Focus are tax-deductible according to IRS regulations.

1. Purpose and Mission

Heroes in Focus Inc. is a non-profit organisation founded by portrait photographer Rory Lewis to document, preserve, and interpret the lived experience of military service through portraiture and visual record.

The organisation exists to continue and expand upon the body of work established through Soldiery and subsequent projects, creating a long-term historical archive of serving personnel and veterans from the British Army, allied forces, and partner nations.

Its mission is to ensure that service, leadership, and sacrifice are recorded with dignity, accuracy, and humanity, and that these records are preserved for future generations through museum donation, public exhibition, and education.

2. Activities

Heroes in Focus Inc. undertakes the following activities:

  • The creation of documentary and fine-art portraiture of serving personnel and veterans

  • The preservation of these works within public, educational, and museum collections

  • Educational talks, exhibitions, and publications relating to military history, service, and leadership

  • The continuation of long-form historical projects documenting military life across ranks, roles, and generations

All work is undertaken with the consent and cooperation of participants and relevant institutions.

3. Governance Structure

Heroes in Focus Inc. is founder-led and operates with a deliberately simple governance structure to preserve independence and artistic integrity.

  • The organisation is directed by its Founder

  • Strategic guidance may be sought from advisors and honorary patrons

  • The organisation does not operate a commercial board structure

  • No officer, advisor, or patron holds fiduciary or financial responsibility

Governance is focused on ethical conduct, historical responsibility, and mission continuity rather than operational scale.

4. Patronage Framework

Heroes in Focus Inc. may appoint Honorary Patrons in recognition of their service, experience, or guidance.

Honorary patronage is:

  • Ceremonial and advisory in nature

  • Non-executive

  • Non-financial

  • Without legal or operational responsibility

Patrons provide guidance, perspective, and moral support where appropriate, and serve as custodians of the organisation’s values and standards.

5. Ethical Boundaries

Heroes in Focus Inc. operates under the following ethical principles:

  • Respect for the dignity, privacy, and service of all participants

  • Accurate and responsible representation

  • No sensationalism or political messaging

  • No exploitation of subjects, rank, or service history

  • Clear consent and transparency in all sittings and publications

The organisation is committed to safeguarding the integrity of military service and the trust placed in it by those who participate.

6. Non-Financial and Non-Political Stance

Heroes in Focus Inc. is:

  • Entirely non-political

  • Non-lobbying

  • Independent of operational military activity

The organisation does not advocate policy, endorse political positions, or involve itself in military decision-making.

No honorary patron, advisor, or participant is expected to contribute financially, fundraise, or support the organisation in a material capacity.

7. Legacy and Continuity

Heroes in Focus Inc. exists to create a lasting historical record.
Its purpose is archival, educational, and cultural.

The organisation measures its success not in scale or revenue, but in the quality, integrity, and permanence of the work it leaves behind.

Signed,

Rory Lewis
Founder
Heroes in Focus Inc.
Rory Lewis Non-Profit