of the Uncommon Friends Foundation is to educate people of all ages to develop certain personal traits - a spirit of adventure, sense of purpose, unending personal growth, and a commitment to helping friends - that James D. Newton observed in the lives of his five uncommon friends, and to understand the significance of the uncommon friends in shaping the modern world.

The Uncommon Friends Foundation: Who are we?

The Uncommon Friends Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit educational partnership of the City of Fort Myers, Lee County (Florida) government, the School District of Lee County and community leaders and businesses. The Foundation is dedicated to enriching society by promoting the positive values, such as a spirit of adventure, sense of purpose, unending personal growth, and the commitment of helping friends, that author Jim Newton discovered in five unique men and their wives - Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, Dr. Alexis Carrel, and Charles Lindbergh. He dubbed them his "Uncommon Friends," writing about his experiences with and the knowledge and insight he gained from these intellectual giants who shaped the twentieth century in a book of the same name. Mr. Newton was in the unique position to consider each of them a personal friend - a position which he never sought, but which enriched his life greatly.

Jim Newton's literary insight into the persona of these great men and women - and the ethical values and moral foundation that made them what they were and allowed them to accomplish what they did - is the focal point upon which the Foundation is based.

The unique and innovative programs of the Foundation include developing, promoting, and distributing character education curricula for children and adults, awarding scholarships to promising students needing a helping hand to reach their goals, sponsoring business ethics programs for community college and university students, and supporting and funding other programs designed to promote and develop character, integrity, and high ethical standards to future generations.

Take some time to peruse our web site and learn more about the Uncommon Friends and the Uncommon Friends Foundation. We then invite you to consider joining the Uncommon Friends Foundation to help the Foundation continue the legacy and good works inspired by these great men and women.

The Foundation is guided by Jim Newton's words: "The best is yet to be!"