The Ford Foundation is an independent organization that seeks to reduce poverty and injustice, strengthen democratic values, promote international cooperation and advance human achievement. It works mainly by making grants for research, dialogue, training and programs that further these goals. The foundation has no commercial, religious or governmental affiliations.

GRANTS

Each year the Ford Foundation receives about 44,000 proposals and makes some 2,000 grants. Types of support include grants, recoverable grants, loans and loan guarantees. Requests range from a few thousand to millions of dollars and are accepted in categories such as project planning and support; general support; and endowments. Grant applications are reviewed at New York headquarters and in the different regional offices.

Organizations seeking Grants: http://www.fordfound.org/grants/inquiry/1

INDIVIDUALS

The vast majority of Ford Foundation grants go to organizations. But individuals may apply for fellowships for advanced degrees in areas of interest to the foundation. Recipients are selected by universities and other organizations that receive grants from the foundation to support fellowships. Here are two such programs:

International Fellowships Program

The Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program (IFP) is a unique effort to identify emerging leaders from marginalized communities outside the United States. IFP fellows represent historically disadvantaged groups, including racial, ethnic and religious minorities and people living with disabilities. The program was established in 2001; by 2014, it will have selected approximately 4,300 fellows from 22 eligible countries for three years of advanced study. IFP is financed by the largest single grant in the history of the Ford Foundation—$280 million. An additional $75 million commitment was made in 2006.

Diversity Fellowships

The Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowships seek to increase faculty diversity at the nation's colleges and universities. Fellowship grants are made at the predoctoral, dissertation and postdoctoral levels to students who demonstrate excellence, a commitment to diversity and a desire to become a professor. Only U.S. citizens or nationals are eligible.
If you have general questions about our grant making, please contact our Office of the Secretary at this email address: office-secretary@fordfound.org