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Origins Of The Lindbergh Foundation

The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation was created in 1977, the 50th Anniversary year of Charles Lindbergh’s epic New York-to-Paris flight. It was originated by friends of the Lindberghs at The Explorers Club in New York City and other friends and admirers.

The resulting national effort that established the organization was led by General James H. Doolittle and Astronaut Neil Armstrong. Also instrumental in its creation was James D. Newton, longtime, close friend of Charles and Anne Lindbergh, who was Honorary Chairman until his death in 1999.

Their intent was to honor the Lindberghs’ pioneering contributions in aviation, exploration, conservation, sciences, and the humanities. Knowing the Lindberghs’ vision of a balance between the technological advancements they helped pioneer, and the preservation of the human and natural environments they cherished, it was decided that this balance vision would become the cornerstone of the Foundation’s programs. Ever since, the Foundation has strived to carry on the concept of balance, through the Lindbergh Award, the Lindbergh Grants Program, and other educational programs and publications.

The Foundation seeks to support present and future generations in working toward such a balance, that we may “…discern nature’s essential wisdom and combine it with our scientific knowledge…“ (Charles A. Lindbergh) and “balance power over life with reverence for life“ (Anne Morrow Lindbergh).

Charles Lindbergh, who died in 1974, and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, who died in 2001, believed that true progress and a high quality of life require both the advances of science and care for nature, and that these critical endeavors must be in balance. This vision, the furtherance of which is the mission of the Lindbergh Foundation, was eloquently reflected in the Lindberghs’ writings and public remarks, such as Charles Lindbergh’s statement in a 1973 speech that “all the achievements of mankind have value only to the extent that they preserve and improve the quality of life“ and Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s expression in her book, Earth Shine, that “power over life must be balanced by reverence for life.“

BOARD OF DIRECTORS