Kettering Foundation Expands Leadership and Global Democracy Work

​​The Kettering Foundation is deepening its work to strengthen democracy amid rising authoritarianism and declining public trust by expanding its leadership, elevating diverse perspectives, and investing in robust public-facing content. With the appointment of senior fellows Stacey Abrams and David French, Kettering signals a commitment to cross-ideological dialogue grounded in shared democratic values, using blogs, podcasts, videos, and public conversations to explore democracy’s challenges and possibilities. Through platforms like From Many, We, Resilience & Resistance, The Context podcast, and its support of PBS’s America at a Crossroads, the Foundation documents both the threats facing democratic systems and the local and global efforts working to renew them. Together, this multi-platform approach offers practitioners timely analysis, practical insights, and hopeful examples of civic resilience, reinforcing Kettering’s role as a key hub for democratic learning and renewal.

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How do we strengthen democracy when authoritarian trends are rising globally, and trust in institutions continues to erode domestically? The Kettering Foundation is addressing these urgent questions by expanding its leadership team, amplifying diverse voices through multiple platforms, and documenting both threats to democracy and inspiring examples of resilience and resistance.
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The Foundation recently announced two distinguished senior fellows: voting rights activist and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, and New York Times columnist and constitutional expert David French. These appointments reflect Kettering's commitment to bringing together leaders from across the political spectrum who share a dedication to democratic principles, even when they may differ on policy approaches. Abrams and French will contribute to Kettering's thought leadership through blog posts, podcasts, video series, and public conversations—creating opportunities for nuanced dialogue about democracy's challenges and possibilities.

Documenting Democratic Struggles and Solutions

Kettering's content platforms offer valuable resources for practitioners working to strengthen civic participation and democratic governance. The From Many, We blog series examines patterns of exclusion, authoritarian creep, and urgent democratic threats while distilling aspirational goals for diverse democracy. Recent posts include insights from former USAID work on sustaining democratic gains in unstable contexts—lessons particularly relevant as communities navigate rapid political change and institutional uncertainty. The Resilience & Resistance series explores global patterns of authoritarianism while uplifting courageous resistance efforts, with recent contributions examining how civil society organizations worldwide are redefining their roles and building trust amid polarization and misinformation.

The Foundation's podcast, The Context, features conversations with activists, historians, community leaders, and hands-on practitioners about how to make democracy work for everyone. Recent episodes have explored topics like the National Archives' essential role in democratic accountability and transparency. Kettering also supports America at a Crossroads, Judy Woodruff's PBS NewsHour series examining divisions fracturing the United States, which highlights how local communities build civic connection through belonging, service, and human relationships. For the NCDD network, Kettering's multi-platform approach demonstrates how sustained content creation can advance public understanding of democratic challenges while documenting promising practices and keeping practitioners connected to broader movements for civic renewal.

Ready to explore Kettering Foundation's insights on democracy, civic participation, and resistance to authoritarianism? Discover their latest blog posts, podcast episodes, and fellowship announcements at https://www.kettering.org