John F. Kennedy Library Foundation
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| John F. Kennedy Library Foundation | |
|---|---|
| Name | John F. Kennedy Library Foundation |
| Caption | John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum |
| Formation | 1973 |
| Type | Foundation |
| Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Leader title | President |
| Leader name | Robert J. (example) |
John F. Kennedy Library Foundation The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation supports the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and promotes the legacy of John F. Kennedy through programs, fellowships, and public events. Founded in the early 1970s with involvement from family members including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and public figures such as Ted Sorensen, the Foundation collaborates with institutions like the National Archives and cultural organizations across Massachusetts and the United States. It operates at the intersection of archival stewardship, public history, and civic engagement, working with universities, foundations, and professional societies.
History
The Foundation was created in the aftermath of the Presidential assassination of John F. Kennedy and as part of efforts linked to the establishment of presidential libraries under the Presidential Libraries Act and the National Historic Preservation Act. Early supporters included Robert F. Kennedy, Ethel Kennedy, and advisers from the Kennedy family political network, while artists such as I. M. Pei contributed to architectural discussions for the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum site near Columbia Point. Fundraising campaigns attracted contributions from corporations like General Electric, IBM, and philanthropists connected to the Johns Hopkins University and the Harvard Kennedy School. Over time the Foundation expanded its reach through partnerships with the Smithsonian Institution, the Library of Congress, and the National Endowment for the Humanities, responding to events such as the Vietnam War debates, the Civil Rights Movement, and anniversaries including the 50th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy.
Mission and Programs
The Foundation's mission emphasizes preserving the records of John F. Kennedy, promoting scholarship about mid-20th century issues like the Cuban Missile Crisis, and encouraging public leadership exemplified by figures such as Lyndon B. Johnson, Robert McNamara, and Dean Rusk. Signature programs include fellowships named in honor of advisers like Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. and public lectures featuring speakers such as Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, and Hillary Clinton. The Foundation coordinates awards and prizes that have been presented to leaders including Angela Merkel, Nelson Mandela, and Ban Ki-moon, and collaborates with think tanks like the Brookings Institution and Council on Foreign Relations on policy symposia.
Collections and Exhibitions
Collections under the Foundation's stewardship complement holdings at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, including manuscript materials from campaign figures like Pierre Salinger, policy papers from McGeorge Bundy, and correspondence with international leaders such as Nikita Khrushchev and Winston Churchill. Exhibits have highlighted artifacts associated with events like the Peace Corps founding, the Space Race and the Apollo program, and pivotal moments such as the Berlin Speech and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Traveling exhibitions have toured venues including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the National Portrait Gallery (United States), and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, drawing on loans from institutions such as the National Air and Space Museum and the New-York Historical Society.
Education and Fellowship Initiatives
Educational initiatives connect with academic partners including the Harvard Kennedy School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston University, and the University of Massachusetts. Fellowship programs support scholars who study topics linked to Kennedy-era policy such as the Peace Corps Act, the Alliance for Progress, and the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, as well as cultural histories involving figures like Jackie Kennedy and Eunice Kennedy Shriver. K–12 curricula have been developed in coordination with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and nonprofit educators like National History Day to teach about the Cold War and civil rights through archival documents. The Foundation also hosts internships and postdoctoral fellowships in partnership with the American Historical Association and the Society of American Archivists.
Governance and Funding
Governance structures include a board composed of public figures drawn from political life such as former cabinet members like Robert McNamara, corporate leaders from firms like ExxonMobil and Citigroup, and civic leaders from organizations including the United Way and The Rockefeller Foundation. Financial support derives from private donations, endowments, corporate sponsorships, and grants from bodies such as the National Endowment for the Arts and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The Foundation adheres to nonprofit oversight practices recommended by watchdogs like Charity Navigator and regulatory filings with the Internal Revenue Service. Major fundraising events have featured honorees including Eleanor Roosevelt-era luminaries and contemporary statespersons like Condoleezza Rice.
Public Events and Outreach
Public programming includes annual commemorations timed with events like Inauguration of John F. Kennedy anniversaries, lecture series hosting figures such as Madeleine Albright, Henry Kissinger, and Strobe Talbott, and cultural programs with artists connected to the era such as Pete Seeger and Leonard Bernstein. Outreach extends to community initiatives across Suffolk County, Massachusetts, national teacher workshops with partners like the National Council for History Education, and digital projects developed with collaborators including Google Arts & Culture and the Digital Public Library of America. The Foundation's media engagements have involved broadcasters such as PBS, NPR, and CNN to amplify exhibits, oral histories, and panel discussions featuring historians including Drew Gilpin Faust and Garry Wills.