The Kettering Foundation is an American non-partisan research foundation founded in 1927 by Charles F. Kettering. The foundation publishes books and periodicals, employs research fellows, and organizes (through the National Issues Forums

National Issues Forums

National Issue Forums , is a US “non partisan, nationwide network of organizations and individuals who sponsor public forums and training institutions for public deliberation.” Everyday citizens get to deliberate on various issues through NIF forums. Some of the issues discussed include civil...

) public forums on policy in order to answer the question: "what does it take for democracy to work as it should?" It is based in Dayton, Ohio

Ohio

Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...

.

The Kettering Foundation has played an active part in public policy, through for instance active support of the Dartmouth Conferences

Dartmouth Conferences (peace)

Dartmouth Conferences on peace process begun at Dartmouth College in October 1960. It is one of the longest ongoing bilateral unofficial dialogues between American and Soviet representatives.-History and impact:...

,

The foundation's current president, since 1981, is F. David Mathews

F. David Mathews

Forrest David Mathews served as the 11th United States Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare from 1975 to 1977, during the administration of President Gerald R. Ford. He is one of only two surviving secretaries of the now defunct Department of Health, Education, and Welfare...

; notable board members have included Lisle Carter, Jr

Lisle Carter, Jr

Lisle C. Carter, Jr. , a prominent administrator who worked for civic organizations, educational institutions and the federal government, was the first President of the University of the District of Columbia ....

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Publications

The foundation publishes three periodicals:

• Kettering Review, a journal on "subjects related to democracy, including the changing roles of the citizen, the press, public leadership, and public opinion."
• The Higher Education Exchange, an annual publication intended as a forum about higher education for scholars and the general public.
• Connections, an annual newsletter.