Recent News
New Betty Ford Girl Scouts Patch
The Girl Scouts just got a new role model – First Lady Betty Ford!
Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore has partnered with us to offer an exclusive Betty Ford Girl Scouts patch that you can earn at the Ford Presidential Museum.
Betty’s advocacy and championship for equal rights and women’s health remains an inspiration and model of active citizenship and we are thrilled for girls to learn how they can be change-makers like her.
Learn more and how to sign up here.
Upcoming Events
Miriam Gay-Antaki – Great Decisions Series 2025
Gert-Jan Segers – Great Decisions Series 2025
Megan Gorman on Her Book, “All the Presidents’ Money”
Ali Wyne – Great Decisions Series 2025
Ghaith al-Omari – Great Decisions Series 2025
Richard Rossow – Great Decisions Series 2025
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation fosters awareness of the life and legacy of America’s 38th President through activities promoting the high ideals of integrity, honesty, and candor that defined President Ford’s extraordinary career of public service. Join us as we celebrate 50 years since he took office, and see how you can help us continue the legacy.
2024 Gerald R. ford award for public service
Each year, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation awards the Medal for Distinguished Public Service to persons who have served the public good in the private and public sector.
The 2024 recipient was Mitch Daniels. For more than half a century, Governor Daniels has transformed every arena of public service that he has entered. His service has left a mark in the legislative and executive branches of the federal government, business, state government, and higher education. In every endeavor, his leadership has embraced qualities that merit admiration and that build trust between citizens and those who serve them.
In recognition of the award Governor Daniels delivered the annual William E. Simon Lecture in Public Affairs.
Foundation Partners
Past Events & News
H.W. Brands on The Ford Presidency, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Charles Lindberg, and the 2024 Election
H.W. Brands Seamlessly Tied Together a Range of Topics in a Lively Presentation H.W. Brands came back to the Ford two days after the 2024 presidential election. The bestselling historian and Pulitzer Prize finalist spoke about the significance of the Ford...
The Pardon: With Richard Norton Smith and Hank Meijer
The Exploration of a Controversial Decision, with Ford Biographer Richard Norton Smith and Board Trustee Hank Meijer Gerald Ford's pardon of his predecessor, Richard Nixon, was one of the greatest acts of political courage in postwar America. It was also one of the...
Doris Kearns Goodwin Speaks to Sell Out Crowd at The Ford
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Historian and Best-Selling Author Spoke with Jeff Polet on Navigating the Current Political Climate We were thrilled to partner with Democracy First and the Ford Presidential Museum to bring Doris Kearns Goodwin to the Ford on October 12. A...
Support the Foundation
Your donation supports important Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum activities, which are not funded by the Federal government. Examples of supported activities include exhibits, speakers, educational programs and community events. DONATE TODAY!
- Student programs at the DeVos Learning Center
- Temporary Exhibits such as ‘In Step with Betty Ford’
- Student Essay Challenge with scholarship prize
- Underwriting Opportunities
- Archival research grants at the Library and Museum












