Mission/ Giving Statement: The Ford Foundation supports visionary leaders and organizations on the fronlines of social change worldwide. Our goals for more than half a century have been to: Strengthen democratic values; Reduce poverty and injustice; Promote international cooperation; and Advance human achievement.
Grantmaking Program Areas: Democratic and Accountable Government; Economic Fairness; Educational Opportunity and Scholarship; Freedom of Expression; Gender, Sexuality and Reproductive Justice; Human Rights; Metroplitan Opportunity; Sustainable Development
Grantmaking Program Area Descriptions:
Democratic and Accountable Government: Increasing Civic and Political Participation; Strengthening Civil Society; Promoting Electoral Reform and Democratic Participation; Promoting Transparent, Effective and Accountable Government
Economic Fairness: Ensuring Good Jobs and Access to Services; Promoting the Next-Generation Workforce Strategies; Building Economic Security Over a Lifetime; Improving Access to Financial Services; Expanding Livelihood Opportunities for Poor Families
Human Rights: Advancing Racial Justice and Minority Rights; Protecting Women's Rights; Protecting Immigrant and Migrant Rights; Reforming Civil and Criminal Justice Systems; Reducing HIV/AIDS Discrimination and Exclusion; Strengthening Human Rights Worldwide; Advancing Economic and Social Rights
Educational Opportunity and Scholarship: Transforming Secondary Education; More and Better Learning Time; Higher Education for Social Justice
Freedom of Expression: Supporting Diverse Arts Spaces; Advancing Public Service Media; Advancing Media Rights and Access; Religion in the Public Sphere; JustFilms
Gender, Sexuality and Reproductive Justice: Supporting Sexuality Research; Promoting Reproductive Rights and the Right to Sexual Health; Youth Sexuality, Reproductive Health, and Rights; Reducing HIV/AIDS Discrimination and Exclusion; Protecting Women's Rights; Advancing LGBT Rights
Human Rights: Advancing Racial Justice and Minority Rights; Protecting Immigrant and Migrant Rights; Reforming Civil and Criminal Justice Systems; Reforming Global Financial Governance; Strengthering Human Rights Worldwide
Metropolitan Opportunity: Expanding Access to Quality Housing; Promoting Metropolitan Land Use Innovation; Connecting People to Opportunity
Sustainable Development: Expanding Community Rights Over Natural Resources; Climate Change Responses That Strengthen Rural Communities
Type of Funding/ Funding Restrictions: The Foundation does not award undergraduate scholarships or make grants for personal needs or business assistance. Other areas frequently inquired about, but not funded, include: Health care; Vehicle purchase; Student loan repayment; Scientific inventions; After-school programs; Athletic leagues; Orphanages; or Elder care.
Application Instructions: Application instructions available online.
