Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation Inc

The Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, based in Plymouth Notch, Vermont and Washington, D.C., is the official foundation dedicated to preserving the legacy and advancing the values of America’s thirtieth president.

In the absence of an official presidential library, the Coolidge Foundation was formed in 1960 by John Coolidge, the president’s son, along with a group of fellow Coolidge enthusiasts. Over the years, the Foundation has expanded programming across the country to increase Americans’ knowledge of Coolidge and the values he promoted throughout his life.

The Foundation’s signature initiative is the Coolidge Scholars Program. Among the most competitive and generous undergraduate awards in America, “The Coolidge” is a full-ride, four-year, merit scholarship that may be used at any accredited college or university in the United States. Each year, applicants study President Coolidge and read his Autobiography as part of the application process. New Coolidge Scholars are selected annually through a rigorous review process culminating in a finalist weekend in Woodstock, Vermont and Plymouth Notch, overseen by a distinguished jury. In addition to the full-ride scholarships, top applicants are named Coolidge Senators and participate in the annual Senators Summit, forming a growing and vibrant community of emerging leaders. The Foundation is building an endowment to support the continued growth of these programs.

The Foundation’s n advances President Coolidge’s commitment to informed citizenship, freedom of thought, and civil dialogue. Through a nationwide series of tournaments, the program provides students with a platform to develop a deep understanding of economics and public policy. More than a thousand students each year debate real-world issues such as taxes, inflation, healthcare, and immigration. At the program’s core are two major competitions: the Coolidge Cup National Debate Championship, culminating each Fourth of July in Plymouth Notch, and the Presidents’ Cup in Washington, D.C. At all tournaments, students are guided by research briefs and instruction from expert speakers, and rounds are evaluated by “citizen judges.” Students debate both sides of each resolution, learning to open their minds and consider all viewpoints. The program is rapidly growing, expanding its reach and impact each year.

The Foundation also advances understanding of Coolidge’s life and leadership through publications and public programs. It publishes the Coolidge Review, a periodical featuring original research, historical insights, and essays on economic and presidential history. Each year, the Foundation hosts a national conference at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., and organizes lectures, symposia, and public programs in Plymouth Notch and at the Coolidge House in Washington, D.C., offering opportunities for Americans to learn from Coolidge’s example.

Together, these initiatives cultivate a community inspired by President Coolidge. We invite you to get involved and support the Foundation’s work to advance the enduring ideals of Silent Cal.