Kettering Foundation
{{Short description|American research foundation based in Ohio}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{COI|date=March 2025}}
{{Self-published|date=March 2025}}
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{{Infobox organization
| name = Charles F. Kettering Foundation
| image =
| size =
| abbreviation = Kettering Foundation
| formation = 1927
| logo = Charles F. Kettering Foundation Logo.png
| type = Foundation (nonprofit)
| status = 501(c)(3)
| headquarters = Dayton, OH, United States
| leader_title = President and CEO
| leader_name = Sharon L. Davies
| key_people = {{hlist|John R. Dedrick}}
| revenue = $15,326,258{{cite web | url=https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/310549056 | title=Charles F. Kettering Foundation | date= 9 May 2013| website=ProPublica | accessdate=23 February 2025 }}
| revenue_year = 2023
| expenses_year = 2023
| website = [http://www.kettering.org/ www.kettering.org]
}}
The Kettering Foundation is a US-based non-partisan research foundation founded in 1927 by Charles F. Kettering that works to inspire and connect individuals and organizations to advance thriving and inclusive democracies around the globe. The foundation believes that "all people belong and have the right to engage in and shape a democracy that serves them."{{Cite web |title=Who We Are - Kettering Foundation |url=https://www.kettering.org/who-we-are/ |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=www.kettering.org |language=en-US}}
The foundation's current president and CEO since April 2022 is Sharon L. Davies. She succeeded {{cite book
| last = Sirianni
| first = Carmen
| authorlink =
|author2=Lewis Friedland
| title = Civic innovation in America: community empowerment, public policy, and the movement for civic renewal
| publisher = U of California P
| year = 2001
| location =
| page = 256
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=fRaFuaX6exQC&dq=%22kettering+foundation%22&pg=PA256
| doi =
| id =
| isbn = 978-0-520-22637-1}} F. David Mathews{{cite news
| last =
| first =
| title = Reconnecting People and Politics
| newspaper = Washington Post
| location =
| pages =
| language =
| date = 1992-07-29
| url =
|title=About the Foundation: Who We Are
|publisher=Kettering Foundation
|url=http://www.kettering.org/about_the_foundation/who_we_are
|accessdate=2009-10-16
|url-status=dead
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091010032454/http://www.kettering.org/about_the_foundation/who_we_are
|archivedate=2009-10-10
}} who presided over the foundation from 1981 to 2022. Past notable board members have included Lisle Carter, Jr.,{{cite news
| last = Wiseman
| first = Lauren
| title = Leading HEW Official Became First to Guide UDC
| newspaper = Washington Post
| location =
| pages =
| language =
| date = 2009-09-26
| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/25/AR2009092503691.html
| accessdate = 2009-10-16}} Katherine W. Fanning,{{Cite web |title=The Katherine W. Fanning Fellowship in Journalism and Democracy |url=https://kettering.org/?fellowship=katherine-w-fanning-fellowship-in-journalism-and-democracy |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=Kettering Foundation |language=en-US}} Mary Futrell,{{Cite web |title={{!}} Explorations in Black Leadership, U.Va. |url=https://blackleadership.virginia.edu/interview/futrell-mary |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=blackleadership.virginia.edu}} Daniel Kemmis, and Daniel Yankelovich.
Current board members:
- Sharon L. Davies, President & CEO
- Ed Dorn {{Cite web |date=2022-01-01 |title=Edwin Dorn {{!}} LBJ School of Public Affairs |url=https://lbj.utexas.edu/dorn-edwin |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=lbj.utexas.edu |language=en}}
- Beverly Wade Hogan
- Les Ihara Jr.
- Peter Levine {{Cite web |title=Peter Levine {{!}} Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life |url=https://tischcollege.tufts.edu/people/faculty/peter-levine |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=tischcollege.tufts.edu}}
- Sherry Magill (Chair) {{Cite web |date=2024-10-31 |title=OPINION {{!}} Generational records: A 20-year forecast {{!}} Jacksonville Today |url=https://jaxtoday.org/2024/10/31/opinion-generational-records-a-20-year-forecast/ |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=jaxtoday.org |language=en-US}}
- Hank Meijer{{Cite web |last=Business |first=Crain's Grand Rapids |date=2024-10-22 |title=Hank Meijer {{!}} Grand Rapids 200 2024 |url=https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/hank-meijer-grand-rapids-200-2024/ |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=Crain's Grand Rapids Business |language=en-US}}
- Suzanne Morse Moomaw {{Cite web |date=2019-12-13 |title=Suzanne Morse Moomaw Named Director of the University of Virginia Press {{!}} UVA Today |url=https://news.virginia.edu/content/suzanne-morse-moomaw-named-director-university-virginia-press |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=news.virginia.edu |language=en}}
- Edwin C. Moses{{Cite news |last=Hetzer |first=Rowan |date=January 29, 2025 |title=Dayton native, Olympic icon Edwin C. Moses joins Charles Kettering Foundation |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2025/01/29/edwin-moses-kettering-foundation-board-appointment.html |url-status=live |access-date=April 18, 2025 |work=Dayton Business Journal}}
- Roberto Saba {{Cite web |date=2018-12-20 |title=Roberto Saba '95 LL.M., '11 J.S.D. Elected to Kettering Foundation Board {{!}} Yale Law School |url=https://law.yale.edu/yls-today/news/roberto-saba-95-llm-11-jsd-elected-kettering-foundation-board |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=law.yale.edu |language=en}}
History
File:Charles F. Kettering.jpg, pictured with his first electric starter|left|150x150px]]
The foundation was established in 1927 in Dayton, Ohio, with the mission of conducting scientific research for the betterment of humanity. Founded by Charles Franklin Kettering, a prolific inventor and former General Motors executive, the foundation initially focused on areas aligned with his interests, including science education, energy conservation, and medical research. Dayton, a hub of innovation, was a fitting home for the foundation, given its connection to pioneering advancements such as the Wright brothers’ early aviation work.
After Kettering’s passing in 1958, the foundation expanded its focus to address societal needs, shifting its research toward primary and secondary education. By 1968, it moved away from traditional grantmaking to concentrate on its own research, with prominent figures such as George Gallup and Norman Cousins influencing its direction. This period saw the foundation explore topics such as citizen participation, international relations, and the role of journalism in public discourse.
File:F. David Mathews.jpg|214x214px]]
In the 1980s, under the leadership of F. David Mathews, the foundation deepened its commitment to democratic engagement by experimenting with public deliberation, bringing citizens together to discuss pressing societal issues. It also collaborated with educators and community leaders to explore the role of active citizenship in democracy. As it entered the 21st century, the foundation refined its research around the question of how to make democracy function effectively.File:20240920_Sharon_Davies_01.jpgToday, under the leadership of Sharon L. Davies, it continues to champion inclusive democracy by fostering citizen engagement, ensuring government accountability, and resisting authoritarianism.{{Cite news |last=Staff |first=Kettering |date=2024-02-12 |title=Defending Democracy: The Kettering Foundation 2023 Annual Report |url=https://kettering.org/defending-democracy-the-kettering-foundation-2023-annual-report/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |work=Kettering Foundation |language=en-US}}
Focus Areas
The foundation has five primary research focus areas:
- Defending Inclusive Democracy
- Information for a Democratic Society
- Democracy and Community
- Democracy and the Arts
- Democracy around the Globe{{Cite web |last=Kettering.org |title=Focus Areas |url=https://kettering.org/focus-areas/ |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=Kettering Foundation |language=en-US}}
Fellowships
The foundation awards several fellowships{{Cite web |last=Kettering.org |title=Fellowships |url=https://kettering.org/fellowships/ |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=Kettering Foundation |language=en-US}} to support its mission. Kettering Foundation fellows are distinguished global leaders and experts dedicated to addressing the most pressing challenges facing democracy.
= The Katherine W. Fanning Fellowship in Journalism and Democracy =
Named in honor Katherine “Kay” W. Fanning, a trailblazing newspaper editor and publisher who played a significant role on the Kettering Foundation’s board of directors for 12 years, including serving as chair from 1994 to 1996.
In August 2023, the foundation awarded its Katherine W. Fanning Fellowship in Journalism and Democracy to Judy Woodruff, veteran correspondent and former anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour.{{Cite press release |last=Foundation |first=Charles F. Kettering |title=Kettering Foundation awards fellowship to Judy Woodruff |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kettering-foundation-awards-fellowship-to-judy-woodruff-301908261.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}
= The Charles F. Kettering Global Fellowship =
The Charles F. Kettering Global Fellowship brings together international leaders from fields like academia, civil society, and journalism to support the foundation’s work on democracy.
List of 2025 Charles F. Kettering Global Fellows:{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Kettering |date=2025-02-18 |title=Kettering Foundation Awards Five 2025 Global Fellowships |url=https://kettering.org/kettering-foundation-awards-five-2025-global-fellowships/ |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=Kettering Foundation |language=en-US}}
- Koketso Moeti
- Chris Njeri Muriithi
- Flávia Pellegrino {{Cite web |title=Charles F. Kettering Global Fellowship |url=https://english.pactopelademocracia.org.br/blog/charles-f-kettering-global-fellowship?categoryId=487696 |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=Charles F. Kettering Global Fellowship |language=en}}
- Gábor Scheiring{{Cite web |date=2025-04-15 |title=Georgetown University in Qatar Professor Recognized as Global Thought Leader on Democracy with Prestigious Fellowship |url=https://www.qatar.georgetown.edu/georgetown-university-in-qatar-professor-recognized-as-global-thought-leader-on-democracy-with-prestigious-fellowship/ |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=Georgetown University in Qatar |language=en-US}}
- Ivan Vejvoda
= The David Mathews Democracy Fellowship Award =
Named in honor of David Mathews, who served as the foundation's president and CEO from 1981 to 2022.
In August 2023, the foundation awarded its first David Mathews Democracy Fellowship to Kathleen Sebelius, former governor of Kansas and a cabinet member in the Obama administration.{{Cite press release |last=Foundation |first=Charles F. Kettering |title=Kettering Foundation Awards Fellowship to Kathleen Sebelius |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kettering-foundation-awards-fellowship-to-kathleen-sebelius-301913378.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}
= The Ruth Yellowhawk Fellowship =
Named in honor of Ruth Yellowhawk, who was a radio journalist and storyteller dedicated to community-centered reporting.{{Cite web |title=Ruth Yellowhawk, former WYSO radio personality, dies from cancer |url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/ruth-yellowhawk-former-wyso-radio-personality-dies-from-cancer/116paWxXXO4ywsKp8Ly41N/ |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=dayton-daily-news |language=English}} She worked with the foundation from 1997 to 2010.
In January 2025, the foundation awarded its Ruth Yellowhawk Fellowship to American Poet Laureate Joy Harjo.{{Cite press release |last=Foundation |first=Charles F. Kettering |title=Kettering Foundation Awards Fellowship to Joy Harjo |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kettering-foundation-awards-fellowship-to-joy-harjo-302350599.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}
= Senior Fellows =
Kettering Foundation senior fellows collaborate with the foundation to further its mission of promoting inclusive democracy.
List of 2025 Kettering Foundation Senior Fellows:{{Cite web |title=Senior Fellows |url=https://kettering.org/?fellowship=senior-fellows |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=Kettering Foundation |language=en-US}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.kettering.org Kettering Foundation website]
{{Authority control}}
Category:Political and economic research foundations based in the United States