Mission of the Foundation for the National Archives

The purpose of the Foundation for the National Archives is to educate, enrich, and inspire a deeper appreciation of our national heritage through the collected historical evidence.

photo of students in the learning lab


The Foundation for the National Archives was created to support the Archivist of the United States in developing programs, technology, projects and materials to introduce and interpret the Archives collection to the American public and to people around the world.

It is the vision of the Foundation that this creative effort, utilizing 21st Century methods, will produce a greater understanding of the American journey—where our nation has been and how it can be best guided into our bright future.

Within the Archives building in Washington, D.C., in its many branches and Presidential Libraries, as well as in outreach to the American public through traveling exhibitions and national media, the Foundation’s goal is to assist in presenting historical records to:

  • Reveal the ideals and values of the nation’s Founders,
  • Point to the meaning of the records and accomplishments of previous generations, and
  • Establish the significance of these records as proof that individual citizenship not only matters, but is vital to our lives.

In this public/private partnership, the role of the Foundation is to generate financial and creative support from individuals and corporations to provide this extensive outreach, which has not been mandated by Congress.