“Wherever we find ourselves in life, whatever the circumstances, whatever habits may be influencing our decisions,” Sir John Templeton wrote, “we can transform each situation into a learning and growing experience. We can determine how to be the masters of our habits so that our habits can be useful servants to us.” For Sir John, such self-awareness and personal growth depended on a deeper understanding of the circumstances in which good character flourishes and of the roots of good character in human nature, whether understood from a scientific, philosophical, or religious point of view.
The Foundation supports a broad range of programs, publications, and studies focused on the universal truths of character development, from childhood through young adulthood and beyond. The qualities of character emphasized by Sir John in the Foundation’s charter include awe, creativity, curiosity, diligence, entrepreneurialism, forgiveness, future-mindedness, generosity, gratitude, honesty, humility, joy, love, purpose, reliability, and thrift.
We remain open to other possibilities for extending our activities in the area of character development, especially projects that deal with the crucial relationship between culture (as expressed in beliefs, values, and worldview) and behavior. As Sir John emphasized in the "Laws of Life" that he saw as the key to character development, "When you rule your mind, you rule your world."
- Project Leader(s)
Rosalind Remer
Executive Director, Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
- Grantee(s)
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
- Description
-
This project supported the international traveling exhibition Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World, as well as a companion book and various events and commemorative activities. The Tercentenary marked Franklin’s life and his enduring legacy as a model of character development and public-spirited principles.
- Grant Amount:
- $1,360,000
- Start Date:
- January 2005
- End Date:
- June 2007
- Grant ID:
- 11289
- Grantee Website
- Project Leader(s)
Carol Geary Schneider
President, Association of American Colleges and Universities
- Grantee(s)
Association of American Colleges and Universities (Washington, DC)
- Description
-
The Core Commitments initiative catalyzed interest in educating college students for personal and social responsibility. The AAC&U identified five key goals for students: 1) striving for excellence; 2) cultivating personal and academic integrity; 3) contributing to a larger community; 4) taking seriously the perspectives of others; and 5) developing competence in ethical and moral reasoning.
- Grant Amount:
- $2,012,440
- Start Date:
- May 2004
- End Date:
- January 2009
- Grant ID:
- 11202, 11889
Suite of two separate grants totaling $2,012,440
- Grantee Websites
- Project Leader(s)
Alexander W. Astin
Higher Education Research Institute
University of California, Los Angeles
Helen S. Astin
Graduate School of Education & Information Studies
University of California, Los Angeles
Jennifer A. Lindholm
Higher Education Research Institute
University of California, Los Angeles
- Grantee(s)
University of California, Los Angeles (Los Angeles, California)
- Description
-
This multi-year grant funded a flagship research program at the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA to generate and strategically disseminate new information on the trends, patterns, and principles of spiritual growth during the college years. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, the study provided a framework for colleges seeking to expand opportunities for students to explore their religiosity and spirituality. The research program also included a survey of faculty regarding this domain of human experience.
- Grant Amount:
- $2,121,775
- Start Date:
- December 2002
- End Date:
- February 2006
- Grant ID:
- 10458
- Grantee Websites
- Project Leader(s)
Martin Doblmeier
President and Founder
Journey Films
Elaine Freeman
Executive Director
ETV Endowment of South Carolina
Journey Films
- Grantee(s)
ETV Endowment of South Carolina (Spartanburg, South Carolina)
- Description
-
These grants supported the development and production of a 90-minute documentary for public television titled The Power of Forgiveness. The broadcast was part of an outreach strategy that included a web presence, a national tour, and a print and electronic media campaign. The project focused on contemporary clinical and academic research that shows the potential of forgiveness to bring about personal and spiritual transformation.
- Grant Amount:
- $382,360
- Start Date:
- January 2004
- End Date:
- September 2007
- Grant ID:
- 11154, 11419
Suite of two separate grants totaling $382,360
- Grantee Websites
- Project Leader(s)
Theodore Baehr Chairman, Good News Communications
- Grantee(s)
Good News Communications (Camarillo, California)
- Description
-
These grants support the annual $50,000 Kairos Prizes for Spiritually Uplifting Screenplays by Beginning Screenwriters. The purpose of the program is to encourage the production of screenplays that are wholesome, uplifting, and inspirational and that add to our understanding or love of God. The winner receives a $25,000 prize, with second and third place winning $15,000 and $10,000, respectively. The winner's script is also read by top studio executives at Disney, DreamWorks, Fox, and Universal.
- Grant Amount:
- $735,000
- Start Date:
- September 2006
- End Date:
- June 2010
- Grant ID:
- 12329, 12957
Suite of 2 separate grants totaling $735,000
- Grantee Website
- Project Leader(s)
Penny S. Visser Department of Psychology
University of Chicago
- Grantee(s)
University of Chicago (Chicago, Illinois)
- Description
-
This grant supports research into the processes that promote successful aging. Particular attention will be paid to two potential sources of purpose and meaning: 1) deep religious or spiritual convictions, and 2) an abiding commitment to stepping outside of oneself to serve others. The research will include a national survey with large-scale quantitative analysis of older adults, complemented by in-depth follow-up with exemplary individuals to identify factors that have enabled them to flourish.
- Grant Amount:
- $283,150
- Start Date:
- October 2007
- End Date:
- September 2010
- Grant ID:
- 12419
- Grantee Website
- Project Leader(s)
Gao Yang, Executive Director
Junior Achievement China
Alice Chou
Junior Achievement Worldwide
- Grantee(s)
Junior Achievement China (Beijing, P.R. China) Junior Achievement Worldwide (Colorado Spring, Colorado)
- Description
-
Junior Achievement China organizes Laws of Life essay competitions in middle schools and high schools in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. The goal is to be able to impact 1,000,000 students annually with this program in China by the 2010/2011 school year.
- Grant Amount:
- $1,932,275
- Start Date:
- May 2004
- End Date:
- May 2007
- Grant ID:
- 11185, 12316, 13095, 13587, 14039
Suite of 5 separate grants totaling $1,932,275
- Grantee Website
- Project Leader(s)
James Arthur Professor of Education and Civic Engagement School of Education University of Birmingham
- Grantee(s)
Canterbury Christ Church University (Kent, United Kingdom)
- Description
-
This nationwide research project will identify the best approaches to character education in the United Kingdom. "Learning for Life" will develop essential conceptual and empirical evidence tracing character education through all phases of formal education and into employment and will also issue relevant policy recommendations.
- Grant Amount:
- $2,973,874
- Start Date:
- October 2007
- End Date:
- September 2010
- Grant ID:
- 12497
- Grantee Website
- Project Leader(s)
Thomas Lickona, Director
Center for the 4th and 5th Rs
State University College at Cortland
Matthew Davidson, President and Director
Institute for Excellence and Ethics
- Grantee(s)
State University College at Cortland (Cortland, New York)
Institute for Excellence and Ethics (Fayetteville, New York)
- Description
-
These grants support the research and dissemination of the report Smart & Good High Schools: Integrating Excellence and Ethics for Success in School, Work, and Beyond.
- Grant Amount:
- $3,095,642
- Start Date:
- September 2002
- End Date:
- April 2011
- Grant ID:
- 10438, 11040, 11492, 12338, 12691, 12707, 12708
Suite of 7 separate grants totaling $3,095,642
- Grantee Websites
- Project Leader(s)
Joseph W. Mazzola, Executive Director
Character Education Partnership
- Grantee(s)
Character Education Partnership (Washington, DC)
- Description
-
The National Schools of Character [NSOC] program recognized individual schools and school districts with awards for their exemplary work in improving the behavior and learning of their students through character education.
- Grant Amount:
- $1,370,028
- Start Date:
- November 2005
- End Date:
- November 2008
- Grant ID:
- 11949
- Grantee Website
