Reclaiming Patriotism: Between Nationalism and Pessimism Read Now Can dissent be patriotic? As America nears 250 years, Derek Barker argues real love of country means defending democracy through critique, protest, and a deeper commitment to America’s ideals. 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} Read Now When LGBTQ+ rights are attacked, democracy is at risk. Evie Browne explores how fights for equality help safeguard civic freedoms and collective voice. Democracy on the Line: LGBTQ+ Movements as Critical to Democracy 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} Building Peace, One Story at a Time Listen Now What happens when politics becomes a fight over identity? Sellah King’oro explores how harmful narratives drive conflict and how more inclusive stories can strengthen democracy. Sellah King'oro 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} Closing the Gap Between Reality and the Ideal Read Now As America turns 250, people still believe in democracy, but many say it’s not delivering. Two major studies unpack the gap between the ideal and real life and share ways forward to rebuild trust and participation. US Democracy at 250: 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} A Historic Collaboration Celebrating Dance and Dayton’s Funk Legacy Read Now Rhythm of the City used dance and Dayton funk to bridge cultures, honor local history, and model inclusive democracy—proving the arts can reflect who we are and who we aspire to be. Rhythm of the City: 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} The Stakes Hungary after Orbán: The Work of Democracy Begins Watch Now Viktor Orbán loses in a landslide—but Hungary’s illiberal system remains. CFK Global Fellows Gábor Scheiring and Kristóf Szombati discuss how the opposition broke through and the challenges ahead with rebuilding democracy. 0{{current_slide_index}} 0{{total_slide_count}} keyboard_arrow_up keyboard_arrow_down The Latest At Kettering

News & Ideas

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.

Welcome to The Context

A podcast about how to get democracy to work for everyone—and why that’s so hard to do.

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Our Work

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.

Awards & Fellowships

2025 ANNUAL REPORT
RESOLUTE IN OUR STAND FOR DEMOCRACY

Resolute in Our Stand for Democracy:
The Charles F. Kettering Foundation 2025 Annual Report

Resolute in Our Stand for Democracy reflects a defining year in which the Charles F. Kettering Foundation confronted extraordinary threats to democracy at home and around the globe. Amid accelerated executive overreach, censorship, and attacks on civil and human rights, the foundation met the moment. In this second year of our strategic plan, we continued our commitment to speaking plainly about the stakes, stood with courageous leaders, and expanded partnerships committed to protecting democracy domestically and worldwide.