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

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January 29, 2026

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.

In 2025, we deepened our impact through landmark initiatives—including the Kettering Global Conversation on Democracy, the Kettering-Gallup Democracy for All Project, and the inaugural Kettering Democracy Prize. From Dayton neighborhoods to international democracy networks, we joined those resisting authoritarianism and building equitable futures.

Charles F. Kettering Foundation Annual Report 2024

A Transformative—and Turbulent—2025 Worldwide

In a year defined by escalating threats and unprecedented uncertainty, the Charles F. Kettering Foundation met the moment with clarity, courage, and coalition. Our 2025 annual report takes you inside to learn more about the bold ideas, powerful partnerships, and inspiring leaders who refused to yield to authoritarianism and instead worked toward a more inclusive, hopeful future. From breakthrough research to global collaborations, this is a story of choosing action over fear and possibility over decline.

To learn more, download a copy of Kettering’s 2025 annual report.

Readers will discover more about

Defending Inclusive Democracy

  • Convenings were held with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Howard University, and global civil society networks.
  • Partnerships continued to strengthen with faith leaders, LGBTQ+ advocates, youth movements, and transnational democracy organizations.

Information for a Democratic Society

  • The Context podcast, From Many, We blog series, and The Stakes video series expanded.
  • Topics included Christian nationalism, political violence, global authoritarianism, and civic courage.

Democracy and Community

  • The 2025 Dayton Democracy Fellowship included 15 new changemakers advancing local democratic participation.
  • The Dayton Democracy Summit convened 300+ community leaders for collective visioning and action.

Democracy and the Arts

  • In a time when artistic freedom was challenged amid censorship pressures, initiatives included the Visual Voices exhibition and poetry event, Art in Action convening, and a partnership with PBS NewsHour’s CANVAS.

Democracy around the Globe

  • The 2025 CFK Global Fellows cohort included leaders from Brazil, Hungary, Kenya, Serbia, and South Africa. 
  • The Resilience & Resistance blog series launched, featuring insights of thought leaders and practitioners working to expand and support inclusive democracies around the globe. 

Research

  • The foundation pledged two years of support for Freedom House’s flagship Freedom in the World report.
  • Kettering announced three new research fellows, leading scholars on authoritarianism, Christian nationalism, and social movements.

Senior and Named Fellows

  • Kettering’s senior and named fellows stepped forward when silence might have been easier and used their platforms to call individuals and institutions into the work of safeguarding a more inclusive and accountable democracy.

External Affairs

  • Kettering opened a new Washington, DC, office as a national convening hub for democratic collaboration and continued a robust schedule of convenings and sponsorships.

Conferences

  • Kettering staff participated in more than 40 conferences and were also panelists or presenters at numerous conference sessions.

Communications

  • The foundation intensified its communications work and continued to increase its visibility as an outspoken advocate for inclusive democracy.

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