About IF

The Interactivity Foundation works to enhance the process and expand the scope and health of our public discussions by bringing people together in small group discussions of broad topics of public policy concern. Our Fellows conduct Project Discussions that engage separate panels of selected generalists and specialists on a public policy topic for a year or more of private (or “sanctuary”) discussions to develop and explore multiple policy possibilities, which are then worked into a Discussion Report. We also conduct and sponsor shorter series (3-4 sessions) of small group Public Discussions, which are open to all interested participants and use the possibilities from our Discussion Reports as the starting point for further exploration and development.  Finally, we collaborate with certain college faculty to develop and support facilitated, student-centered Classroom Discussions.

The Interactivity is governed by a governed by a Board of Trustees, which administers the Foundation’s financial matters and generally its overall mission, and an Intellectual Development Committee (IDC), which handles all of the operational and day-to-day business concerns.  IF’s main offices and office staff are located in Parkersburg, West Virginia.  IF’s President, other members of the IDC, and each of the Fellows reside and work in other locations around the country.  See the IF People page for more information.

The Interactivity Foundation is an operating foundation that does not make grants but does engage in selected joint research efforts with others.  IF is a non-partisan, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization that does not engage in political advocacy for itself, any other organization or group, or on behalf of any of the policy possibilities presented in its Discussion Reports. The Foundation was established, under Delaware law, in 1965 by Jay Stern, a West Virginia businessman, whose significant contributions continue to fund the Foundation’s activities.   See the IF History and Jay Stern bio pages for more information.