The IFF Community Newsletter is the best place to catch up on everything happening across the Ian Fleming Foundation. Here you’ll find updates from recent work weekends, news about exhibits, volunteer highlights, vehicle moves, and more. The IFF wouldn’t exist without our community, and this archive celebrates the people who make our work possible.
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IFF Community Newsletter #005
APRIL 2026
A Busy Start To The Year
Has it really been five months since we last put out a Newsletter?
My apologies, but it’s been a busy start to 2026 for the Ian Fleming Foundation as we continue to fine-tune the operational aspects of being a nonprofit organization and try to ensure that we remain focused on our goal of empowering the next generation of readers, writers, and filmmakers by leveraging the legacy of Ian Fleming and James Bond.
There’s also been a lot of outreach activity over the last few months, some of which you can read about below, with more in the works.
None of which would have been possible without the input and work of the amazing IFF volunteers—regular, returning, and new.
So what’s been happening?
The Ian Fleming Foundation Teen Literacy Grant
A highlight for the early part of the year was the presentation of our first Teen Literacy Grant Award to the State University of New York (SUNY) in the Adirondacks in recognition of their excellent program, which included visits from notable writers.
One of the first benefits from the award was enabling the college to bring renowned writer William Kennedy to talk to the students. The event was introduced by the IFF’s vice-president, Frieda Toth, who shared how the IFF supports fledgling writers and great writing.
Macallan Whiskey Launch Event
In mid-February, the Foundation was asked to participate in McCallan Whiskey’s event to mark the launch of their special 55th Anniversary Diamonds Are Forever blend. The event took place at a venue in the hills above Los Angeles, and we were delighted to share the Diamonds Are Forever Bath-O-Sub and the Honda three-wheeler ATC with the attendees. A note of thanks to Colin Clark and Len Johnson for volunteering to be on-site for the vehicle setup and ship-out.
The Quantum Weekend
A few weeks later, I was honored to join the Quantum of Solace Gatherall Celebration event in Newtown, Pennsylvania, hosted by David Zaritsky from The Bond Experience. On Saturday evening, David interviewed me about the Foundation and its aims before an attentive audience that asked many great questions.
During the main event on Sunday, I set up an IFF table with some of our publications, and had a constant stream of folks stopping by to chat and pick up copies of the IFF’s Goldeneye magazine or the Illustrated 007 newspaper comic strip collection (which proved to be very popular).
Thanks to David for being such a great host. And to everyone who stopped by and signed up to receive a copy of these newsletters - Welcome.
Studebaker Museum
Towards the end of March we were honored to be asked by our friends at the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend, Indiana – where the AMC Hornet from The Man With The Golden Gun and the Police Honda motorcycle from Skyfall are on display – to open their 2026 season of lectures.
Colin, Len, and I were on hand to tell a few stories behind some of the Foundation’s restoration projects.
The event even made the local papers, which helped draw in a good crowd.
Thanks to the Studebaker Museum, you can check out the presentation and follow-up Q&A session on YouTube at the link below.
https://youtu.be/r1RAZLkH7tY?si=9tHAvFuec8ISOoFh
Work Weekend
The main event recently was, of course, our first Work Weekend at the new Benton Harbor facility. We had a great crew of volunteers turn up, some old hands, some returning, and a nice group of new volunteers, too. Work started on Thursday and ran through Sunday. Everyone pitched in as we continued to organize the new facility to make it our own, started to inventory the many boxes of publications, as well as sort and label spare vehicle parts. Plus, of course, working on some of the vehicles.
During the weekend, both David Zaritzky (TheBondExperience) and Bill Koenig (The007Files) filmed video and talked to various volunteers about what the IFF meant to them and the Foundation’s aims. Once those videos are posted, we will be putting the links up on our various social media accounts.
A special note of thanks to Colin Clark and Chris MacGregor for organizing the weekend, and to Chris for once again providing some excellent grilled sustenance.
Also, a shoutout to Gary Rosenfeld for arranging the team photoshoot of those who made it through to Saturday evening!
And to George Zielke for the photo that proves we were all working at one point.
TAG Museum Extension
We are delighted to announce that we have come to an agreement with our friends at The Automobile Gallery in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to extend their exhibition of twelve Foundation vehicles for another six months, until October 2026.
Looking Ahead
You can always keep up with the latest news in our Community Newsletter or via our social media accounts on FaceBook, and Instagram.
Thanks for your continuing support in 2026. We’ve got more events and announcements to come as the Foundation continues to grow.
Alan J. Porter
President
The Ian Fleming Foundation
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