Markle Foundation - History

History

John and Mary R. Markle established the Markle Foundation in 1927 "to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge among people of the United States, and to promote the general good of mankind." Markle’s mission has evolved over the years. Markle led the expansion of talent in academic medicine from 1934 to 1969. It shifted at that point to developing and using communication and information to enhance lifelong learning and to promote an informed citizenry. Under current President Zoë Baird’s tenure since 1998, the organization has focused on realizing the potential of information technology to address previously intractable public problems, for the health and security of all Americans. Under Baird’s leadership, Markle has initiated collaborations to expand access to the Internet in developing countries and worked to ensure public representation in global Internet governance processes. Markle has worked over the last decade principally in the areas of Health and National Security. Markle’s work has helped catalyze improvements in the quality and cost effectiveness of health care and to reform the intelligence community to meet current threats. These major reforms were embodied in sweeping health care and national security law.

Markle is developing a new Initiative to find opportunities for renewal of the American Dream in a networked world by leveraging technology and advancing public and private leadership and individual action.