Our History

Our history begins with the work of Donald O Clifton (1924-2003). He dedicated his life as a University faculty member to studying and teaching the identification and development of talent. He built a company, Selection Research, Inc, to put these principles in action. Selection Research became Gallup in 1989. The development of successful job profiles continued and ultimately contributed to his creation of the Clifton StrengthsFinder. He began the Clifton Foundation in 2000 to support leaders and students in the research and education of strengths development.

Dr. Shane Lopez (1970-2016) was the first Director of Research of the Clifton Foundation. He built a team that studied hope, engagement and wellbeing in youth and worked with researchers around the world on studies of strengths-based development. He taught educators how to create programs and experiences based on principles of individualization.

Strengths Lab was a nonprofit created by the Clifton Foundation. It served college and high school students in Washington, D.C., and Nebraska and included students from Tanzania, India, Mexico and Colombia. The summer Builders programs provided entrepreneurial experiences and some scholarships.

Mark Pogue (1961-2018) was the inaugural director of the Clifton Strengths Institute at the University of Nebraska/Lincoln. This action lab continues to be the largest project of the Clifton Foundation. Dr. Tim Hodges is the current leader. He is a faculty member who also teaches MBA students and convenes researchers who study leadership, coaching, and mentoring.

The Clifton Foundation has funded the Clifton Strengths Prize awarded to Dr. Shelley Taylor and Dr. Mihaly Csikczentmihalyi, and granted University chairs. Fellowships have been provided to teachers and students over the last twenty years. Planning grants have helped school districts and universities tailor strengths-based programs.