Our Mission

The Great Books Foundation is an independent, nonprofit educational organization with a mission to help people think and share ideas. Towards this end, the Foundation offers workshops in Shared Inquiry discussion and publishes collections of classic and modern texts for both children and adults.

The Great Books Foundation was established in 1947 to promote liberal education for the general public. In 1962, the Foundation extended its mission to children with the introduction of Junior Great Books. Since its inception, the Foundation has helped thousands of people throughout the United States and in other countries begin their own discussion groups in schools, libraries, and community centers. Today, Foundation instructors conduct hundreds of workshops each year, in which educators and parents learn to lead Shared Inquiry discussion.

Alliances and Special Projects

To further its mission, the Foundation establishes alliances with like-minded organizations, institutions, and corporations to collaborate on a variety of projects. Projects serve students and instructors from kindergarten through college, parent volunteers, and adults committed to lifelong learning.

The Foundation also welcomes the opportunity to work with booksellers to encourage the reading and discussion of literature in communities around the world.

Support Great Books

As a nonprofit educational organization, the Foundation welcomes your support. Find out how you can help the Foundation achieve its mission.

Contact Us

If you have questions or comments, or need additional information, please contact us:

E-mail

For Junior Great Books: jgb(at)greatbooks.org
For Great Books reading and discussion programs: agb(at)greatbooks.org
For Shared Inquiry workshops: tr(at)greatbooks.org

Address

The Great Books Foundation
35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60601-2205

Phone numbers

Phone: 1-800-222-5870
Fax: 1-312-407-0334