Campaign to Invest in the Future of American Diplomacy and Leadership
SHAPING
“Meridian is a cornerstone of mutual efforts to foster greater understanding and cooperation among nations in our ever-changing world.”
— The Honorable George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States
Meridian is America’s gateway to the world—a trusted space where leaders connect, ideas thrive, and solutions to critical issues emerge. As we mark our 65th anniversary, we are launching a $20 million campaign to preserve our historic campus, modernize our organization, and power
programs that will shape the future of American diplomacy and leadership in the world. This investment will transform Meridian for the next century, expanding our global impact and equipping our organization to meet tomorrow’s challenges.
Meridian’s story unfolds at the intersection of history, architecture, and diplomacy. Our stately campus in the heart of Washington, D.C., features two architectural masterpieces: Meridian House and White-Meyer House. Designed in the early 20th century by John Russell Pope—the visionary architect behind the Jefferson Memorial and the
National Archives—these homes once served as residences for two U.S. ambassadors and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Our name comes from our location on 16th Street—once proposed as the international prime meridian. Like the meridians connecting our globe, we are a central point of convergence.
In 1960, with support from a Ford Foundation grant, Meridian House became a center for international exchange, partnering with the U.S. Department of State to foster cooperation during the Cold War. White-Meyer House, the childhood home of Washington Post publisher Katherine Graham, was added to the campus in 1987,
and together, these properties form a four-acre hub. Today, our campus is at the heart of our mission and stands as America’s gateway to the world, welcoming hundreds of thousands of leaders, including 180 heads of state, through our exchange programs.
Our historic campus serves as a trusted, nonpartisan space where global leaders, ideas, and cultures converge to address urgent challenges. Amid the divisiveness of our modern world, a place like Meridian is needed more than ever.
U.S. Presidents and Secretaries of State turn to Meridian as a trusted partner in advancing American security and prosperity. Ambassadors view Meridian as an “embassy of all embassies” and a place to connect with American leaders. And private sector and civil society leaders rely on us to help them navigate a complex global landscape.
Through global education, exchange, and cultural programs, we work with leaders from the U.S. and around the world to strengthen international partnerships.
Our alumni have held positions as heads of state, led Fortune 500 companies, and guided major institutions like the United Nations, showcasing Meridan’s lasting influence on global leadership.
The headlines paint a stark picture: slashed foreign aid budgets, trade wars, abandoned international agreements. The soft power tools that helped us win the Cold War and have defined American influence are vulnerable. At home, Americans are grappling with economic strain, illegal immigration, and the fentanyl epidemic. The instinct to turn inward is understandable. To many, this signals the unraveling of American leadership in the world.
if this disruption led not to the end of American influence but an opportunity to build a new diplomatic architecture for the 21st century?
For too long, we’ve equated American global engagement with government-led diplomacy. But power has never flowed from just government — it flows from people, enterprise, innovation, and culture. Our rivals haven’t caught on yet. They invest billions in statefunded foreign infrastructure projects around the world and run internet troll farms. Our response shouldn’t be to play their game but to play to our strengths.
American leaders from business and philanthropy, science and technology, sports and culture can move faster, reach deeper, and adapt quicker than a government-only approach. By adjusting our diplomatic strategy to align with modern influence, we can build stronger international partnerships that promote America’s interests through an “Open Diplomacy” architecture. To do this effectively, these sectors will require global insights, networks, and resources to succeed effectively. Meridian is well-positioned to lead this new framework.
The world needs American leadership more than ever. But leadership in 2025 doesn’t look like leadership in 1945. We can cling to old diplomatic structures while the world changes around us. Or we can use this moment to get ahead of the curve and embrace a new model that reflects how power and influence actually work in today’s world. The sooner we recognize this, the stronger America’s global influence will be, leading to a more secure and prosperous nation.
Our vision is to lead and shape a new diplomatic framework for the 21st century. How do we achieve this? We can leverage America’s greatest strengths by expanding and opening diplomacy beyond traditional government channels. Business executives, scientists and innovators, governors and mayors, artists and athletes are the new diplomats on the frontlines of global challenges, strengthening international partnerships when they are needed the most. Meridian is connecting and catalyzing these leaders with the insights, networks, and resources needed to drive impact in three critical areas: Alliances and Democracies, U.S. Competitiveness, and Geopolitical Resilience.
We are building on our 65-year track record and designing global leadership development programs — from immersive trainings, exchanges and convenings — to harness the power and potential of these key sectors. By investing in leaders who can shape the future, we can forge more resilient international partnerships, accelerate solutions to global challenges, and strengthen American leadership in today’s volatile world.
Meridian is well positioned to lead this transformation, but we need to scale our resources and programs.
To seize this moment, we must make strategic investments in our organization. Our $20 million capital campaign will preserve, modernize, and strengthen Meridian—expanding our reach and impact. This is more than a commitment to our institution—it is an investment in the future of American leadership. This campaign will focus on three key priorities:
1
Preserving America’s Gateway to the World:
Restoring and enhancing our iconic campus for future generations
2
Strengthening American Leadership
Building and scaling programs to empower the next era of leaders to advance diplomacy
3
Modernizing for 21st-Century Diplomacy:
Upgrading facilities to support growing program demands
CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES
As stewards of two historic buildings, we are committed to preserving our campus for future generations. After decades without major renovations, these structures now require essential preservation work and upgrades to meet modern needs. Investments will:
• Preserve architecturally significant details of the exteriors; refurbish masonry and replace windows
• Upgrade mechanical and infrastructure systems, including HVAC, electrical, fire, and climate controls, to improve energy efficiency
• Revitalize outdoor convening spaces, including the linden grove; enhance gardens and sustainable landscaping
• Renovate the Carriage House into a functional workspace
“Some thirty years ago, Meridian introduced me to this great country. You started me along the path that’s led me here today, and for that, I will always be grateful.”
— His Excellency Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Former Prime Minister of Denmark and Former Secretary General of NATO
To strengthen American diplomacy and leadership, we must invest in leaders who will strengthen international partnerships to solve global challenges and drive meaningful change.
To expand our impact, we are launching a Program Innovation Fund to drive transformative initiatives in global education and exchanges, convening, and culture. While Meridian’s $12M endowment supports the maintenance of our campus, it does not fund programs. This fund will strengthen American diplomacy by empowering the next generation of leaders and enhance our organization’s long-term financial sustainability by reducing our reliance on government funding, which currently accounts for 60% of our budget. Programs will fill critical gaps that government resources do not address.
Meridian Center for Diplomatic Engagement
The world’s most pressing challenges transcend borders and require solutions beyond traditional diplomacy. The Open Diplomacy Leaders Accelerator convenes U.S. and international leaders from business, science and technology, state and local governments, and sports and culture. These cohorts work across sectors to tackle major challenges, including Emerging Technologies, Space, Energy, U.S. Competitiveness, and National Security.
Meridian Center for Global Leadership
Our global leadership development programs equip the next generation with the insights, networks, and resources needed to thrive in an increasingly dynamic world.
DiplomacyRISE offers high-potential students and young professionals skills training, career networks, and insights to navigate emerging global challenges. The program reaches future leaders across sectors and backgrounds, preparing them for 21st-century statecraft.
Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy
As America approaches its 250th anniversary and prepares to host the Olympics and World Cup, we have unique opportunities to strengthen global ties. While government resources for cultural diplomacy decline, Meridian mobilizes leaders from culture and sports to fill this gap.
Through CultureCorps, we connect America’s artists, athletes, chefs, designers, and innovators with international opportunities and people-to-people engagements, transforming cultural influence into diplomatic power.
MODERNIZE OUR HISTORIC CAMPUS
Our historic campus requires modernization, blending cuttingedge technology while retaining the architectural integrity of our buildings. With over 500 programs a year currently, we can meet the growing operational and program demands of expanding our mission by updating our facilities. Investments will:
• Reconfigure interior layout to optimize convening spaces
• Enhance first-floor rooms, including the Meridian Library, Dining Room, Drawing Room and Chairman’s Study, White-Meyer Library, and Dining Room
• Integrate state-of-the-art technology throughout the buildings
• Update and adapt staff workspaces to foster greater efficiency and synergy
• Incorporate design elements to highlight Meridian’s story and America’s inspiring values and history
• Ensure campus is accessible to all and ADA-compliant
“Meridian is a tremendous resource for being able to connect with each other. . . they are a full-time partner for diplomacy”
— The Honorable Antony Blinken, Former U.S. Secretary of State
Your partnership is crucial to our work. Your support will help us preserve a legacy—ensuring our campus and America’s premier diplomatic institution thrive for generations.
By investing in people who have the power and potential to strengthen international collaboration on issues, we ensure America continues to lead—creating the blueprint for a better, shared future. Because when America leads, the world moves forward.
Join us and be part of this mission.
White-Meyer Library
$1,500,000
Meridian Chairman’s Study
$1,500,000
White-Meyer Dining Room
$2,000,000
Carriage House
$2,000,000
Meridian Library
$2,500,000
White-Meyer Terrace
$2,500,000
Linden Grove & Gardens
$3,500,000
Meridian Dining Room
$5,000,000
Meridian Drawing Room
$5,000,000
Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy
$3,000,000
Meridian Center for Diplomatic Engagement
$3,000,000
Meridian Center for Global Leadership
$3,000,000
Legacy Circle
$1,000,000
Visionaries Circle
$500,000
Ambassadors Circle
$250,000
Cornerstone Gift
$100,000
