The American Experience Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, was created on December 14, 2001 by the Washington, DC Convention & Tourism Corporation in direct response to the events of September 11, 2001 and the subsequent crisis which Washington, DC endured. Following the recovery effort, The American Experience Foundation shifted its focus to develop national programs that educate the public about the arts, culture, American democracy, and the unique heritage of Washington, DC.

In keeping with its mission, the Foundation identifies artistic, cultural, historical and educational programs planned in Washington, DC for upcoming years and increases awareness of the arts, culture and heritage of the nation's capital by communicating the availability of such events and educational opportunities to the general public. Past programs included:

• America Celebrates the Greatest Generation
  May 29, 2004 – September 7, 2004
  The dedication of the National World War II Memorial served as the centerpiece for a unique public outreach and education program to increase awareness of the arts, culture and heritage of the nation's capital. America Celebrates the Greatest Generation was designed to educate young Americans about the contributions of the World War II generation, to inspire national pride, to commemorate the sacrifices of our military and to remind the population as a whole about the impact the cultural and technological developments of that era had on our country.
  
• Blues & Dreams: Celebrating the African-American Experience in Washington, DC.
  September 15 – November 30, 2003
  Washington, DC implemented a national program to celebrate the contributions African-Americans have made to the history and culture of the nation's capital specifically and America in general.