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Dear Mr. xxxxxx,
As we turn the corner on the Kennedy Institute’s 10th anniversary, we are incredibly proud to share that we have reached more than 160,000 students across 45 states through our award-winning civic education programs. At our 10th Anniversary Celebration, we were also honored to present the Edward M. Kennedy Institute Lifetime Achievement Award to President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., and the 2025 Award for Inspired Leadership to Secretary Martin J. Walsh and Ret. Admiral Lisa Franchetti—three extraordinary public servants whose lives exemplify the spirit of cooperation, courage, and commitment at the heart of our mission. As we celebrate this progress, we are more energized than ever about our future.
Through high-level gatherings, we have brought together thought leaders to find common ground on our nation’s most pressing challenges. Through our public programs, we have created space for meaningful dialogue and debate. And through our student initiatives, we have instilled the values of collaboration and civic responsibility in tens of thousands of young people each year.
Looking ahead to 2026, we remain deeply committed to addressing partisan divisions, fostering thoughtful dialogue, and equipping the next generation with the skills of negotiation and consensus-building. None of this would be possible without the remarkable generosity of our donors.
As we close out this milestone year, we hope you will support the Institute by making a year-end gift today. A contribution of $110 can sponsor a deserving student’s participation in the Senate Immersion program, giving them the opportunity to experience our democracy in action and discover the power of their own voice.
The challenges facing our democracy can feel daunting, but every day, this mission gives us hope. As Senator Ted Kennedy often reminded us, “what divides us pales in comparison to what unites us.” We hope those words offer you the same comfort and inspiration as you read more about our efforts:
Modeled bipartisan Senate deliberation before a national audience
- This year, we hosted The 6th Senate Project with Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and David McCormick (R-PA) on, June 2, 2025 in the Kennedy Institute’s full-scale Senate Chamber replica. The discussion was moderated by Shannon Bream, anchor of Fox News Sunday, and broadcast on FOX.
Hosted national thought leaders to inspire public discourse
- On October 1, 2025 the Edward M. Kennedy Institute hosted a special conversation with the 48th Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence, on the challenges of governing in a polarized era, the importance of civic dialogue in sustaining democracy, and the future of the Republican Party. The discussion was moderated by Meghan McCain, host of the Citizen McCain podcast.
Kennedy Breyer's Civic Scholars program launch
- August marked the launch of our Kennedy-Breyers Civic Scholars week-long program in collaboration with the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and the Justice Stephen G. Breyer Community Learning Center on Courts and the Constitution. Over the course of the week, students participated in a Q & A with Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and visited all three partner sites.
Educating a new generation of civic leaders
- Every week, hundreds of students join us in our replica Senate Chamber or in virtual classrooms to negotiate solutions to critical policy issues. To date, we have reached over 160,000 students across 45 states!
We need your help to continue this critical work in 2026.
Please contribute generously today.
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