Our FocusKettering’s research is distinctive because it is conducted from the perspective of citizens and focuses on what people can do collectively to address problems affecting their lives, their communities, and their nation.Kettering FoundationKF_29bb7896-2f8f-11e2-8d87-2171e5cf9241The Kettering Foundation is a nonprofit operating foundation rooted in the American tradition of cooperative research. Kettering’s primary research question is, what does it take to make democracy work as it should? Kettering’s research is distinctive because it is conducted from the perspective of citizens and focuses on what people can do collectively to address problems affecting their lives, their communities, and their nation...
Established in 1927 by inventor Charles F. Kettering, the foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that does not make grants but engages in joint research with others. It is an operating foundation headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, with offices in Washington, D.C., and New York City.Charles F. KetteringFounderCitizensResponsible citizens who can make sound choices about their future
CommunitiesCommunities of citizens acting together to address common problemsInstitutionsInstitutions with public legitimacy that contribute to strengthening society.Kettering Foundation StaffThe foundation’s small staff and extensive network of associates collaborate with community organizations, government agencies, researchers, scholars, and citizens around the world. A monthly meeting series brings together Kettering staff, associates, researchers, and others with whom the foundation works to explore a tightly focused research question or area. Those working on related problems share what they are learning at the foundation’s many meetings, which provide space for an ongoing exchange of ideas and stories in an effort to develop research interests.Community OrganizationsGovernment Agencies Researchers ScholarsKettering Foundation BOARD OF DIRECTORSEd DornMember of the Board of Directors Mary FutrellMember of the Board of DirectorsVirginia HodgkinsonMember of the Board of DirectorsDr. Sandral HullettMember of the Board of DirectorsLes Ihara, Jr.Member of the Board of Directors
Peter LevineMember of the Board of DirectorsDavid MathewsMember of the Board of Directors
Hank Meijer Member of the Board of DirectorsSuzanne Morse Chair of the Board of DirectorsKettering Foundation OFFICERSDavid MathewsPresident and CEOBrian T. CobbVice President and TreasurerJohn R. DedrickVice President and Program DirectorMaxine S. ThomasVice President, Secretary, and General CounselKettering Foundation RESEARCH OFFICERS & SENIOR ASSOCIATESDerek BarkerProgram Officer
Constance CrockettProgram Officer
Paloma DallasProgram Officer and Writer/Editor
Alice DiebelProgram Officer
Carolyn Farrow-GarlandProgram OfficerMindy FogtDirector of Administrative Services, Program Officer
Melinda GilmoreProgram Officer and Senior Writer/Editor
David HolwerkDirector of Communications
Kriss GangProgram Officer
Libby KingseedProgram Officer, Archivist
Amy LeeProgram OfficerPhillip LurieProgram Officer
Ray MinorProgram Officer
Ileana MarinProgram Officer
Randall NielsenProgram Officer
Harold SaundersDirector of International Affairs
Deborah WitteProgram OfficerKettering Foundation RESEARCHERS, FELLOWS & RESIDENT SCHOLARSJack BeckerResearch Assistant
Afsaneh J. HaddadianResearch Assistant
Elizabeth HudsonResearch Associate
David McIvorResearch Associate
Tim ShafferResearch Associate
Charles WisoffResearch & Administrative AssistantKettering Foundation RESEARCH SUPPORT StaffVal BreidenbachAdministrative Assistant
Nellie ClickAccountant
Angel George CrossExecutive Assistant to the President & CEO
Sarah DahmAdministrative Assistant
Margaret DixonExecutive Assistant to the President & CEO
Nancy DoughertyReceptionistKathy HeilAdministrative Assistant
Amelia LawAdministrative Assistant
Terry NicholsFacilities Manager
Kelly PalmerAdministrative Assistant
Glenda RoseAdministrative Assistant
Rita ShanesyAdministrative Assistant to the Vice President & Program Director
Marie SimsAdministrative Assistant to the Vice President & Treasurer
Bettina WrightAdministrative Assistant to the Vice President, Secretary & General CounselDemocracy that works as it should_29bb8188-2f8f-11e2-8d87-2171e5cf9241To research what it takes to make democracy work as it should_29bb8304-2f8f-11e2-8d87-2171e5cf9241DemocracyGuiding Kettering’s research are three hypotheses. Kettering’s research suggests that democracy requires:
Responsible CitizensResponsible citizens who can make sound choices about their futureSound ChoicesCommunities of CitizensCommunities of citizens acting together to address common problemsJoint ActionInstitutionsInstitutions with public legitimacy that contribute to strengthening societyPublic LegitimacyStrong SocietiesChallengesIdentify and address the challenges to making democracy work as it should._29bb83ae-2f8f-11e2-8d87-2171e5cf92411Citizens Communities InstitutionsThe foundation seeks to identify and address the challenges to making democracy work as it should through interrelated program areas that focus on citizens, communities, and institutions.
Democratic Practices --
Kettering research has identified democratic practices that have everyday applications in the life of a community, and they are democratic in that they increase the control that people have over their future. Democratic practices are ways citizens can work together -- even when they disagree -- to solve shared problems.
This involves doing familiar things in slightly different ways:NamingName problems to reflect the things people consider valuable and hold dear, not expert information alone._29bb8458-2f8f-11e2-8d87-2171e5cf92411.1FramingFrame issues for decision making that not only takes into account what people value but also fairly lays out all the major options for acting -- that is, with full recognition of the advantages and disadvantages of each option._29bb8520-2f8f-11e2-8d87-2171e5cf92411.2Decision MakingMake decisions deliberatively to move opinions from first impressions to more shared and reflective judgment._29bb85ca-2f8f-11e2-8d87-2171e5cf92411.3ResourcesIdentify and commit civic resources, assets that often go unrecognized and unused._29bb866a-2f8f-11e2-8d87-2171e5cf92411.4ActionOrganize civic actions so they complement one another, which makes the whole of people’s efforts more than the sum of the parts._29bb8728-2f8f-11e2-8d87-2171e5cf92411.5LearningLearn together all along the way to keep up civic momentum._29bb8840-2f8f-11e2-8d87-2171e5cf92411.6FindingsShare research findings _29bb88ea-2f8f-11e2-8d87-2171e5cf92412As the foundation’s learning progresses, Kettering shares its research findings through books, research reports, occasional papers, videos, and its website. The foundation also disseminates its research in three periodicals: Connections, the Higher Education Exchange, and the Kettering Review._29bb89da-2f8f-11e2-8d87-2171e5cf9241Books & VideosProduce materials, including issue books and starter videos_29bb8a98-2f8f-11e2-8d87-2171e5cf92413National Issues Forums (NIF)A network of civic and educational organizations whose common interest is promoting public deliberation.Civic OrganizationsEducational OrganizationsIn addition, Kettering produces materials, including issue books and starter videos, for the National Issues Forums (NIF), a network of civic and educational organizations whose common interest is promoting public deliberation. The foundation collaborates with NIF as part of its research efforts._29bb8b42-2f8f-11e2-8d87-2171e5cf92412012-11-15OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net