A Public-Private Partnership

Building active partnerships in the private sector and between the private sector and all levels of government is fundamental to the success of the Baldrige National Quality Program in improving national competitiveness. Private-sector support for the Program in the form of funds, volunteer efforts, and participation in information transfer continues to grow.

To ensure the continued growth and success of these partnerships, each of the following organizations plays an important role.

Foundation for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award

The Foundation for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award was created to foster the success of the Program. The Foundation's main objective is to raise funds to permanently endow the Award Program.

Prominent leaders from U.S. organizations serve as Foundation Trustees to ensure that the Foundation's objectives are accomplished. A broad cross section of organizations throughout the United States provides financial support to the Foundation.

National Institute of Standards and Technology

The U.S. Department of Commerce is responsible for the Baldrige National Quality Program and the Award. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), an agency of the Department's Technology Administration, manages the Baldrige Program. NIST promotes U.S. economic growth by working with industry to develop and deliver the high-quality measurement tools, data, and services necessary for the nation's technology infrastructure. NIST also participates in a unique, government-private-sector partnership to accelerate the development of high-risk technologies that promise significant commercial and economic benefits. Through a network of technology extension centers and field...