Welcome to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation’s

FORD LEADERSHIP FORUM

Shaping young adults for virtue-anchored leadership.

“History and experience tell us that moral progress comes not in comfortable and complacent times, but out of trial and confusion.”

— Gerald R. Ford, 38th President of the United States

A smiling man in a suit raises his arms in victory at a crowded indoor arena, with balloons and American flags in the background.

Mission

Engaging the public through educational programming and partnerships that reinforce democratic norms and practices while emphasizing the need for virtue-anchored leadership.

  • Hill Staffers

    Our Washington D.C.-based program fosters bipartisan dialogue, ethical public service, while promoting effective leadership traits

    Learn More

  • College Students

    Students involved in our college campus chapters are given networking, mentoring, and learning opportunities.

    Learn More

Articles From Our Contributors

Featured
Should We Fear AI?
Should We Fear AI?
Managers v. Professionals
Managers v. Professionals
Federalist 47
Federalist 47
Group of seven people standing together, smiling, in professional attire in front of banners for "Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy," "The Carter Center," and other promotional materials.
Group of young adults standing in a line outdoors, smiling and laughing, surrounded by trees.
Group of people at a formal event, sitting at a table with flowers and glasses, engaged in conversation and smiling.
A group of people in an outdoor team-building activity, where a blindfolded person is guided by others while navigating a rope challenge in a forested area.
A group of people posing in front of a brick building on a lawn, some sitting and some standing. The group appears to be dressed in semi-formal attire.
Three people smiling at a standing table during an outdoor event, with a food truck and other attendees in the background.
A formal event in a banquet hall with attendees standing and holding hands over their hearts. Flags and people in historical attire are on stage, with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
Four people in professional attire having a conversation, with multiple American flags in the background and a podium with a seal labelled 'Presidential Foundation.'

The Ford Leadership Forum Is Endorsed By:

Profile of historical figure statue with text "Keep Our Republic" next to it.
The Carter Center logo with an eagle and stars.
Logo featuring the text 'Front Porch Republic' with a drawing of a rocking chair and the words 'Place. Limits. Liberty.' underneath.
https://www.waymanbritt.com/
"616 Service" text logo in black on white background.
iCivics Education logo in orange text with creative font style on a white background.
Bedrock logo with stylized arch and sunburst design
LBJ Foundation logo with silhouette and signature
Logo of The Rooney Center for the Study of American Democracy with stylized text and patriotic colors.
Logo of Election Reformers Network with red and blue check mark.
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation 50th anniversary logo with "Ford" and a stylized number 50.
The Volcker Alliance logo with the text 'Working for Effective Government' and an abstract column design.
Logo with "More Perfect" text and stylized flag icon
Logo with the words 'Team Democracy' in bold, colored in blue and red gradient, outlined by a rectangle border.
Logo with a blue bridge illustration and text "Michiganders for Civic Resilience".
"BU" initials next to "Baylor University" text in green font on a white background.
The image contains the text 'democracyFIRST PROMISE' in blue with two red horizontal lines underneath.
Logo of The Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal, featuring a stylized design and text.