Obama Foundation
The Obama Foundation is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2014 by former U.S. President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama to promote civic engagement, leadership development, and community change through inspirational programs and initiatives.[1][2] The foundation's stated mission emphasizes inspiring individuals to take action, empowering them with tools for impact, and connecting networks to amplify collective efforts, operating as a nonpartisan entity despite its ties to the Obama administration's progressive priorities.[3][4] Key programs include the Obama Leaders initiative for training emerging civic leaders, the Obama Foundation Scholars at institutions like Columbia University for addressing global challenges, the Voyager Scholarship providing financial and developmental support to college students, and alliances such as My Brother's Keeper for young men of color and Girls Opportunity for global girls' education.[5] The organization oversees the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago's Jackson Park, a $830 million project intended as a campus for presidential archives, public programming, and economic development, funded largely through private donations exceeding $1 billion in cumulative assets.[6][7] However, the center's construction has faced substantial controversies, including lawsuits alleging violations of public trust doctrine in land transfers, environmental concerns, displacement of local residents, delays attributed to permitting and supply issues, budget escalations, and disputes over subcontractor payments under diversity initiatives.[8][9][10][11][12] Financial scrutiny has also arisen, with reports of low contributions to taxpayer protection reserves, grants routed through intermediaries like the Tides Foundation, and expenditures prioritizing capital projects over programmatic grants in early years.[8][13][14]Founding and Mission
Establishment and Early Years
The Obama Foundation was established on January 31, 2014, as a Chicago-based nonprofit organization by Martin Nesbitt, J. Kevin Poorman, and Julianna Smoot, with the primary mandate to oversee planning for a presidential library dedicated to former President Barack Obama.[15] Nesbitt, a longtime Obama associate and chairman of the initial board, along with Poorman and Smoot, directed early efforts to develop a facility embodying Obama's priorities of economic opportunity, active citizenship, peace, justice, and human dignity, while positioning it as an economic catalyst and community resource.[15] Operating as a 501(c)(3) entity from inception, the Foundation adhered to rigorous donation guidelines to maintain transparency and independence in its operations.[15] In the immediate aftermath of establishment, the Foundation initiated the site selection process for what would become the Barack Obama Presidential Center, issuing a Request for Qualifications in February 2014 and a Request for Proposals in May 2014, with an initial target for site selection by early 2015.[15] These steps laid the groundwork for evaluating potential Chicago locations, emphasizing public-private partnerships and community impact. By 2015, the board expanded to include figures such as venture capitalist John Doerr and curator Thelma Golden, enhancing expertise in philanthropy and cultural development.[16] The Foundation's early phase remained centered on presidential center development until January 20, 2017, when Barack and Michelle Obama formally launched it via video announcement post-presidency, signaling a shift toward broader civic engagement initiatives while sustaining library oversight.[17] This period marked initial fundraising and architectural conceptualization, though construction timelines extended beyond original projections due to regulatory and design complexities.[2]Core Objectives and Guiding Principles
The Obama Foundation's mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world, with a focus on building an active democratic culture where individuals are equipped and motivated to effect community-level change.[18] This entails fostering active citizenship to drive progress, drawing from Barack Obama's emphasis on civic engagement as outlined in his 2017 farewell address.[19] Core objectives include empowering emerging global leaders through skills training, resources, and networks to amplify local impacts internationally; providing young people with educational, mentorship, and career pathways to access opportunities; and establishing the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago as a hub for programming, community outreach, and global change initiatives.[18] These goals aim to develop civic leaders, reduce barriers to community participation, and cultivate a worldwide network of changemakers, with targeted efforts to enhance economic opportunity on Chicago's South Side.[19] Guiding principles are encapsulated in the Hope to Action Values Framework, co-developed with global leaders to promote trust-building, broader participation, and opportunity expansion.[18] Key values include:- Courage: Determination to uphold principles amid fear or uncertainty.
- Empathy: Effort to comprehend others' perspectives and experiences.
- Integrity: Commitment to ethical conduct in actions and collaborations.
- Accountability: Responsibility for outcomes and continuous improvement.
- Community: Prioritizing collective success and mutual support.
- Inclusivity: Valuing diverse viewpoints for optimal solutions.
- Pragmatism: Practical, evidence-based approaches to problem-solving.
- Resilience: Persistence through setbacks.
- Imagination: Encouragement of innovative thinking and novel ideas.
- Hope: Optimism as a catalyst for sustained action.