About Melton Foundation

"The Melton Foundation is committed to bringing positive change in the world through a network of people from diverse cultures empowered by lasting bonds of friendship, open communication and mutual respect."

The Melton Foundation Guiding Principle


The Melton Foundation was established in 1991 to develop a worldwide network of talented people from diverse cultural backgrounds, with the aim of bringing positive change in the world. The Melton Foundation program brings together competitively selected university students of all disciplines in collaboration with its partner universities in Chile, China, Germany, India, and the USA by using innovative online and face-to-face meetings to do educational and social projects, activities, and events related to inter-cultural and global issues.

The core activities of the Foundation are made possible through an endowment provided by Bill Melton. Bill has been an entrepreneur, for more than 20 years, bringing technology to the financial industry. He was the founder of VeriFone Inc. and was also an early investor in America Online and served on its Board of Directors.

Annual Symposium & Learning Theme

Every year the Foundation convenes Fellows, students, faculty, and experts from all over the world for a weeklong Symposium at one of the five partner universities. Every Symposium has a specific theme related to challenging global issues such as Climate Change (New Orleans, 2008) and Innovations (Bangalore, 2009). Learning activities before, during, and after the Symposium enable the Fellows to collaborate successfully across cultures, as they develop global perspectives on today’s issues.

A Global Network

Currently 63 Fellows are in the three-year undergraduate ‘Junior Fellowship’ and over 300 are ‘Senior Fellows’ who have successfully completed their university-based program. This diverse group, spread all over the world pursuing varied professions, contributes to the governance, management, and vitality of the Melton Foundation’s global network. The Melton Fellowship is a lifelong commitment and the Fellows remain connected even after many years of graduation.

Please visit the Melton Foundationfor more information.