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Obama Foundation

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Obama Foundation
NameObama Foundation
FoundedJanuary 2014
FoundersBarack Obama, Michelle Obama
LocationChicago, Illinois, U.S.
Key peopleValerie Jarrett (Chair), David Simas (CEO)
FocusCivic leadership, community engagement
Websitehttps://www.obama.org

Obama Foundation. The Obama Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 2014 by former U.S. President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. Its core mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world, focusing on cultivating the next generation of civic leaders. The foundation's activities are centered on leadership development, community engagement, and the creation of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.

History and formation

The foundation was established in early 2014, following the conclusion of Barack Obama's second term in the White House. The initial board of directors included close associates and former administration officials such as Marty Nesbitt and Julianna Smoot. In 2015, the foundation selected Chicago's Jackson Park on the city's South Side as the future site for its physical campus and presidential library, a decision influenced by the First Family's deep personal ties to the community. The formal launch of its programming began with events like the inaugural Obama Foundation Summit in 2017, which gathered emerging leaders from around the globe in Chicago.

Mission and programs

The organization's work is executed through several key initiatives designed to foster active citizenship and leadership. The Obama Foundation Scholars program partners with institutions like Columbia University and the University of Chicago to provide academic and leadership training. The My Brother's Keeper Alliance, an initiative launched during the Obama administration, was adopted by the foundation to address opportunity gaps for young men of color. Other programs include the Obama Foundation Leaders program, which supports emerging civic leaders across Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, and the Girls Opportunity Alliance, which aims to empower adolescent girls globally through education.

Leadership and governance

The foundation is governed by a board of directors chaired by longtime Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett. The day-to-day operations are led by Chief Executive Officer David Simas, a former White House political director. The board includes prominent figures from various sectors such as business leader Robert F. Smith, former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and media executive Charles Rivkin. Michelle Obama and Barack Obama remain intimately involved in setting the strategic vision and participating in key programs and public events hosted by the organization.

Financials and funding

As a 501(c)(3) public charity, it relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and philanthropic organizations. Major donors have included entities like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Apple Inc., and NBA star Stephen Curry. The foundation has undertaken significant fundraising campaigns for the construction of the Obama Presidential Center, with contributions also supporting its global programs. Annual financial disclosures, including the Form 990 filed with the Internal Revenue Service, detail its revenue, expenses, and the compensation of its top executives.

Facilities and the Obama Presidential Center

The cornerstone of its physical presence is the Obama Presidential Center, currently under construction in Jackson Park on Chicago's South Side. The campus, designed by architectural firms Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects and Interactive Design Architects, will include a museum, a public library, a forum for civic engagement, and ample green space. The project has involved extensive review processes with entities like the Chicago City Council and the Federal Highway Administration. Upon completion, the center will be operated in partnership with the National Archives and Records Administration to manage the presidential records.

Public reception and impact

The foundation and the plans for the Obama Presidential Center have received both widespread acclaim and local controversy. It has been praised for its global leadership initiatives and for choosing Chicago's South Side, with support from figures like Mayor Lori Lightfoot and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. However, the center's construction has faced lawsuits from community groups like Protect Our Parks and concerns from some residents about displacement and environmental impact. Its programs, such as the Obama Foundation Summit, have been compared to other presidential foundations like the Clinton Foundation and the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

Category:Organizations established in 2014 Category:Presidential libraries in the United States Category:Non-profit organizations based in Chicago