The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation fosters increased awareness of the life, career, values and legacy of America’s 38th President. It does so through activities designed to promote the high ideals of integrity, honesty, and candor that defined President Ford’s extraordinary career of public service. The Foundation promotes the ideals, values, commitment to public service and historical legacy of President Gerald R. Ford and further promotes greater civic engagement and recognition of integrity wherever it exists in the public arena. It supports permanent and changing exhibits designed to promote historical literacy; conferences; educational outreach and other programs, both scholarly and popular, including at the Gerald R. Ford Library and Museum.
The Foundation is a private, non-profit corporation which supports the exhibits and programs of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. The Library is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, home of President Ford’s alma mater, the University of Michigan. The Museum is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, President Ford’s hometown. While the National Archives and Records Administration of the U.S. Government funds the operations and maintenance of the Gerald R. Ford Library and Museum, many of the Library and Museum’s public activities are funded through the support of the Foundation. The Museum’s rotating temporary exhibits, noted speakers, educational programs and community events are just a few examples of the kinds of activities supported by the Foundation.
The Foundation’s sponsorship of exhibits and programs is made possible through the generous private donations of individuals and organizations that support the Foundation’s mission and want to participate in the activities of the Library and Museum, such as through the Friends of Ford membership program.
Foundation-supported activities include Smithsonian-quality feature exhibits, noted speakers and various community activities. The Foundation supports excellence in journalism through its awards and quality scholarship through its travel grants. Foundation funding also supports the Library and Museum’s public education programs on the presidency and the political process.
If you love learning about our nation’s history and enjoy world-class exhibits, we invite you to join Friends of Ford, our membership program that provides free admission to the Museum, early notification of special events and many other benefits.