The Kettering Foundation is an operating foundation rooted in the American tradition of inventive research. Its founder, Charles F. Kettering, holder of more than 200 patents, is best known for his invention of the automobile self-starter. He was interested, above all, in seeking practical answers to “the problems behind the problems”. Established in 1927, the Foundation today continues in that tradition. The object of the research now is to find out what makes democracy work as it should.

Academy for Educational Development [www.aed.org] is a nonprofit organization founded in 1961 and working globally to improve education, health, civil society and economic development–the foundation of thriving societies.

In collaboration with local and national partners, AED fosters sustainable results through practical, comprehensive approaches to social and economic challenges. AED implements more than 250 programs serving people in all 50 U.S. states and more than 150 countries.