Dwight Eisenhower often spoke about the “heart of America.” He believed in our nation’s spirit and spent his life dedicated to peace, progress, and prosperity at home and abroad. In fact, it is our shared belief in his vision that ensures his lasting legacy and why people all over the world still say, “I Like Ike!”

The Eisenhower Foundation is dedicated to raising General and President Eisenhower’s example as a standard for Americans to take inspiration from — and to follow. On this page, you will see how the Foundation has served this mission for eight decades and our bold plan for the decades ahead.

We invite you to review this material to better understand the important work we do, and we know you will share our excitement in this innovative and far-reaching vision. Your support is crucial so together we can make a significant difference for future generations.

Preserving a Lasting Legacy 

Since our founding in 1945, the Eisenhower Foundation’s mission has been to champion Dwight D. Eisenhower’s legacy to guide current and future generations to create their own lives of leadership and service. 

Until recently, most of the Foundation’s work has been focused on our campus in Abilene, Kansas. First, acquiring land and constructing the five-building Presidential complex and donating it to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Next, developing exhibits and programs to enrich the visitor experience. Then, creating innovative, education materials and lessons for students visiting campus and for staff to share in classrooms across Kansas.

IKEducation learning experiences are unique in the Presidential Library and Foundation system. Created by teachers for teachers, our programs feature topics that illuminate Ike’s life and times through inquiry-based, teacher-endorsed lessons for K-12 students.

Expanding Opportunities for IKEducation

The COVID-19 crisis transformed the K-12 IKEducation program. Unable to host field trips in Abilene or to visit schools, we began live-streaming our lessons. Word spread among educators and participation grew rapidly.

Today, IKEducation serves students via three platforms: onsite, online, and in schools. In 2023, 23,000 students in 39 states and three foreign countries used our programming and materials. Website users and those reached through social media also had record numbers.

However, this success is straining our capacity to handle on-campus visits, as well as challenging our online program capabilities. IKEducation needs expanded facilities to address these opportunities for growth.

A Vision for the Future

Throughout his life, Dwight D. Eisenhower set a timeless standard of high character and purpose in his service to our nation. Building on this incomparable legacy to reach a growing national and global audience, we have developed three bold ideas:

1. Leverage new technologies to connect the life and leadership of this exemplary 20th-century president to future digital generations. A new brick-and-mortar education center will transform Eisenhower’s story into an interactive platform that will share his rich legacy with the world.

2. Convene national and global audiences around topics related to Eisenhower’s presidency, wartime leadership and character to inform and inspire them to greater achievement and service.

3. Develop collaborative relationships that will ensure the long-term sustainability of Ike’s legacy and the Eisenhower Foundation.

A Bold Plan

This is not the time to simply maintain the impressive work the Foundation has accomplished. This is the time to plan, prepare, and press forward so everyone, everywhere can realize the example of Ike’s accomplishments as the springboard for personal achievement and service. We can preserve and promote his legacy best by gaining greater prominence with national and international audiences.

Educating a growing number of students will require funding for a new building. In addition, we must focus our efforts on connecting with 21st-century learners on a global scale.

New and targeted programming to convene audiences around landmark moments during Eisenhower’s life will require additional investment. Developing this outreach will position the Foundation to further the conversation around Ike’s legacy.

Finally, an increased endowment will ensure these initiatives are sustained well into the future. Lasting partnerships with like-minded organizations will be essential for this to be fully realized.

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