Welcome to the Gerald R. Ford Foundation website.


The Foundation is a private, non-profit corporation that provides support for the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Foundation-supported activities include Smithsonian-quality feature exhibits, noted speakers and various community activities. The Foundation supports excellence in journalism through its awards and quality scholarship through its travel grants. Foundation funding also supports the Library and Museum's public education programs on the presidency and the political process.

If you love learning about our nation's history and enjoy world-class exhibits, we invite you to join Friends of Ford, our membership program that provides free admission to the Museum, early notification of special events and many other benefits.

Click About Us to learn more about the Foundation and its mission.
Click 
Exhibits, Events, Speakers for information about upcoming Museum activities.       
Click 
News for recent events and activities.
Click 
Timeline for significant events in Gerald R. Ford's life and career.


Gerald R. Foundation Journalism Prize Awards

Washington, DC -- Former Vice President Dick Cheney will speak June 1 at the National Press Club as part of the Gerald R. Ford Foundation's annual journalism awards ceremony. Cheney, who was President Ford's chief of staff, will present the foundation's annual awards for outstanding coverage of the presidency and national defense.

The Gerald R. Ford Foundation, which provides support for the 38th President's library and museum, presents its journalism awards at an annual National Press Club luncheon. The former Vice President will speak and take questions after the awards ceremony.

>>Video


James Kitfield, national security and foreign affairs correspondent for the National Journal, has won the 22nd annual Gerald R. Ford Prize for Distinguished Reporting on National Defense.


>>Read more

Kenneth T. Walsh, Chief White House Correspondent for U.S. News & World Report, has won the 22nd annual Gerald R. Ford Prize for Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency.

>>Read more


2009 GERALD R. FORD MEDAL FOR DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE

Washington, DC. -- Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens has been selected as the recipient of the 2009 Gerald R. Ford Medal for Distinguished Public Service. The medal was presented by Jack Ford, Chairman of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and son or former President Ford at the annual dinner of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation on June 1, 2009 at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel in Washington, DC.

>>Read more

L. William Seidman, Ford Foundation Trustee (1921 - 2009)

>>Biography of L. William Seidman
>>Transcript of Mr. Seidman's talk at the Gerald R. Ford Library,



Mr. Joseph S. Calvaruso

December 22, 2008 - The Gerald R. Ford Foundation announces the selection of Joseph Calvaruso, to the position of Executive Director of the Gerald R. Ford Foundation.

>>Read more 

Recent Public Progams at the Ford Presidential Library and Museum

Please use this link to see information about recent public programs at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library (Ann Arbor) and Museum (Grand Rapids). Below are details from the most recent events.


 William Seidman

The U.S. Economy & What's Ahead
Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Ann Arbor - - William Seidman, chief commentator on NBC cable network's CNBC and publisher of Bank Director magazine discussed the U.S. economy at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. William Seidman is the former Assistant of Economic Affairs and Executive Director of the Economic Policy Board, under President Gerald R. Ford. 


Insiders' Look at The White House
Tuesday, April 7, 2009 7:30 PM
Grand Rapids -- Join Bess Abell, Maria Downs, and Laurie Firestone, all former Social Secretaries, as they discuss the social side of the nation's executive mansion. Bess Abell was Mrs. Johnson's Social Secretary from 1963 through 1969. She also served as Mrs. Johnson's assistant through the vice presidential era. Maria Downs became Mrs. Ford's Social Secretary in October of 1975 and remained in the position until the end of the administration. Prior to becoming Social Secretary, Ms. Downs worked in the White House Office of Bicentennial Liaison. Laurie Firestone was named White House Social Secretary in 1988 by First Lady Barbara Bush. She also served as Mrs. Bush's social secretary during the vice presidential years. The panel will highlight the Johnson, Ford and Bush 41 White Houses. 


Former Social Secretarty Bess Abell chats with visitors


The audience at the Ford Museum


From left: Laurie Firestone, Maria Downs, Bess Abell, and moderator Rick Albin.


From left: Maria Downs, Bess Abell, and RIck Albin


Mrs. Ford's 91st Birthday
Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Ann Arbor - Patti Matson, former Assistant Press Secretary to Mrs. Ford, kicked off Mrs. Ford's 91st birthday celebration (Mrs. Ford's birthday is on April 8th) with her lecture on at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Her talk, "Betty Ford: Strength in a Package Marked Fragile," offered insight into one of our nation's most admired First Ladies. The program also included stories and memories of the Ford White House.



Noteworthy Events
Choose a link below to see a recent tribute to President Ford.

December 18, 2008       Christmas Wreath Laying Ceremony Held at the Tomb of The President
July 14, 2008                 Wreath Laying Ceremony Held at the Tomb of The President
June 2, 2008                 Congressional Tribute Book
September 28, 2007    University of Michigan Remembers President Gerald R. Ford
September 27, 2007    Michigan State Bar recognizes Ford with Tribute
August 31, 2007         Ford Commemorative Stamp unveiling at Museum
June 11, 2007           2007 Gerald R. Ford Foundation Dinner
June 11, 2007      
     President Gerald R. Ford Commemorative Stamp Image Unveiled
July 14, 2007 
           Vaden Bales' Remarks at Wreath Laying Ceremony
July 14, 2007            Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of President Gerald R. Ford
January 16, 2007        Naming Ceremony for the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)