American
Conversations

The core mission of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation is to educate people of all ages for the opportunities and challenges of self-government. Its work seeks to help citizens understand the nation’s history, why America is worth defending, how government functions, how to seek sound knowledge, and when to serve, follow, or lead. The Foundation believes citizens should understand the moral, intellectual, and civic virtues that are inseparable from a just and ordered freedom.

To support this mission, the Foundation sponsors a speaker series for an adult community of learners called “American Conversations.” These events bring leading speakers to the Museum and other Grand Rapids venues to equip participants with tools to resist democratic decline in its many forms, from political polarization and social fragmentation to cultural degradation. As a series, the events promote the values President and Mrs. Ford embodied: cooperation, bipartisanship, civil discourse, patriotism, decency, and integrity. They encourage participants to seek common ground for the greater good while also understanding when to stand firm in matters of conscience.

In 2025, a total of 3,211 people participated in American Conversations through Foundation-led events, partnerships with the Foundation, collaborations with the World Affairs Council, or the Greatest Generation Celebration.