Correspondence, memoranda, speeches, agenda, dockets, minutes, handbooks, proposals, plans, reports, financial papers, lists, circulars, newsletters, bulletins, press releases, offprints, contracts, bylaws, and material distributed at meetings of boards of directors, committees, and commissions on which Hesburgh served; including the United States Commission on Civil Rights (1958-1973), National Science Board (1954-1966), Rockefeller Foundation (1962-1982), International Atomic Energy Agency (1956-1977), Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and Carnegie Commission on the Future of Higher Education (1967-1976), National Cambodia Crisis Committee and Cambodia Crisis Center (1979-1980), Overseas Development Council (1971-1982), International Federation of Catholic Universities (1955-1978), Chase Manhattan Bank (1972-1981), United States Advisory Commission for International Educational and Cultural Affairs (1961-1965), Presidential Clemency Board (1974-1975), United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development (1977-1979), Midwest Universities Research Association (1954-1968), Institute of International Education (1955-1973), Peace Corps (1961-1965), Institute for World Order (1968-1982), Teachers' Insurance and Annuity Association of America and College Retirement Equities Fund (1975-1982), Council on Foreign Relations (1976-1982), and Select Commission on Immigration and Refugee Policy (1980-1981); representing Hesburgh's interest in civil rights, social justice, peaceful uses of atomic energy, and international concerns.

Also photographs, audio-visual material, and artifacts such as plaques and trophies associated with Hesburgh's awards and the robes and diplomas associated with his honorary degrees.

Civil rights material also available on microfilm.