The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation (NMOHMF) has announced a $30 million gift from Kenneth C. Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel and founder of Griffin Catalyst.

In recognition of the gift, the museum’s leadership institute will be named the National Medal of Honor Griffin Institute. The institute is built around three foundational goals: to inspire individuals to be leaders in their own spheres of influence, to equip them to make positive change in their community, and to connect communities—and the United States—through character and service. The institute, headquartered at the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas, will house the Center for Character Excellence, the Center for Leadership in Action, and the Center for the Elevation of Honor, all of which will help provide global programming to model the values of Medal of Honor recipients.

Earlier this year, the institute began programming for two cohorts of current and rising leaders, featuring seminars led by facilitators, highly successful military and corporate leaders, and Medal of Honor recipients. Three additional cohorts are planned for 2024. Youth programming also began this year through a partnership with the NFL Foundation’s Character Playbook, which added three Medal of Honor values modules. The Playbook is used as a teaching resource in 29,000 schools around the country and is available free of charge to all students.

“Because of Ken's extraordinary generosity, millions of people will be able to learn about the Medal of Honor and how to apply its values to their own lives,” said NMOHMF president and CEO Chris Cassidy and Charlotte Jones, chair of the NMOHMF board of directors. “The National Medal of Honor Griffin Institute will cultivate leaders who embody the principles displayed by Medal of Honor recipients and will have a positive impact in communities across the country. This gift will turbocharge our mission to inspire America, which is needed in these divided times more than ever.”

(Photo credit: Wikimedia/Citadel/Paul Elledge)