The Context Podcast

The Context is a podcast from the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, about the history, trends, and ideas shaping democracy in the United States and around the world. Every episode, host Alex Lovit, a senior program officer and historian with the foundation, interviews someone who has seen it all—scholars, politicians, journalists, and public servants.

We Envision a World of Thriving Democracies

Everyone is empowered to build and preserve resilient democratic systems in which all people’s rights are protected.

Group of thumbs up with ink
Masked woman checking in citizen to vote; citizens voting in booth

Our Work

Classroom with children raising their hands

Our Work

We advance our work across five focus areas. Through these focus areas, we promote democratic principles and values and counter attacks on democracy.

  • 1

    Defending Inclusive Democracy

    Defend inclusive democracy by raising awareness of and responding to its greatest threats.

  • 2

    Information for a Democratic Society

    Provide the public with information to heighten awareness of the needs of democracy and to enable the public to recognize authoritarian threats.

  • 3

    Democracy and Community

    Strengthen community voices, mutuality, and collective action for greater citizen engagement and influence over local problem-solving and government.

  • 4

    Democracy and the Arts

    Integrate the unique power of the arts into the Kettering Foundation’s work locally, nationally, and internationally.

  • 5

    Democracy around the Globe

    Strengthen an international community of partners to promote and defend inclusive democracies around the globe.

Fellowships

Defending Democracy: The Kettering Foundation 2023 Annual Report