The Ford Foundation is a global, grant-making philanthropic organization based in New York, New York. Founded in 1936, it operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 13-1684331) with tax-exempt status since September 1960. The foundation works to disrupt inequality in all its forms through strategic grantmaking and operates in 11 regional offices around the world, supporting programs in more than 50 countries.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$17.5B
+4.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$844.7M
+14.8% YoY
Grant Count
4,007
+7.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$211K
+6.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ford Foundation reported a distributable amount of $814.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Ford Foundation believes in the inherent dignity of all people. The organization is guided by a vision of social justice—a world in which all individuals, communities, and peoples work toward the protection and full expression of their human rights; are active participants in the decisions that affect them; share equitably in the knowledge, wealth, and resources of society; and are free to achieve their full potential.
Across eight decades, the foundation's mission has been to reduce poverty and injustice, strengthen democratic values, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Democratic and Accountable Government
- Arts Access & Participation
- Education
- Human Services
- Social justice initiatives and organizational development
- Immigration and immigrant justice
- Climate justice
- Youth sexuality research
- Local news revitalization
Grantmaking
The Ford Foundation maintains an active grantmaking portfolio with typical award ranges from $36 to $18,664,000. Total giving in 2024 was $840,817,348.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Ford Foundation funds primarily in New York, the District of Columbia, and California, with significant international presence. The organization supports programs in more than 50 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and other regions globally.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $17.5 billion
- Total Revenue: $1.15 billion
- Total Expenses: $1.04 billion
- Total Liabilities: $2.59 billion
- Total Giving: $840,817,348
- Annual Income: $3.8 billion
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $17,484,692,219 | $16,791,366,964 | $16,383,378,553 |
| Revenue | $1,147,097,733 | $502,432,276 | $925,622,223 |
| Expenses | $1,043,691,402 | $851,842,660 | $972,621,627 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,102,547,617 | $951,028,056 | $964,929,655 |
| Net Investment Income | $984,109,961 | $825,653,630 | $711,559,510 |
| Distributable Amount | $814,928,501 | $795,120,762 | $884,874,556 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Ford Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Action Center on Race and the Economy Institute ($815,000), Advancement Project Education Fund ($666,000), Action for Hope ($600,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1000543880 ONTARIO INC | FOR PRODUCTION OF THE DOCUMENTARY FILM "THE SANDBOX," TO EXAMINE THE COMPLEX REALM OF IMMIGRATION SURVEILLANCE | $35,000 |
| 2073 FILMS LTD | FOR THE DOCUMENTARY FEATURE "2073," WHICH EXPLORES A WORLD GRAPPLING WITH SOCIETAL COLLAPSE, ENVIRONMENTAL DEVASTATION, AND TECHNOLOGICAL EXCESS | $75,000 |
| 32 EAST UGANDAN ARTS TRUST | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| 32 EAST UGANDAN ARTS TRUST | GENERAL SUPPORT | $75,000 |
| 350ORG BOSTON, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT AND CORE SUPPORT FOR 350 AFRICA TO FOSTER A JUST TRANSITION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY IN AFRICA | $250,000 |
| 482FORWARD DETROIT, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $325,000 |
| 482FORWARD DETROIT, MI | CORE SUPPORT FOR THE DETROIT CITY APPOINTMENTS PROJECT STEERING COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT EFFECTIVE AND DIVERSE CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC SERVICE | $200,000 |
| 516 ARTS ALBUQUERQUE, NM | CORE SUPPORT FOR A NEW CURATORIAL POSITION FOCUSING ON US LATINX ART AND ART HISTORY AS PART OF THE ADVANCING LATINX ART IN MUSEUMS INITIATIVE | $102,500 |
| 9TO5 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WORKING WOMEN MILWAUKEE, WI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $350,000 |
| A BETTER BALANCE NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $250,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERIC W DOPPSTADT | VP & CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER | 45 | $4,773,934 |
| DARREN WALKER | PRESIDENT & TRUSTEE | 45 | $1,922,859 |
| HILLARY PENNINGTON | EXECUTIVE VP OF PROGRAMS | 45 | $643,225 |
| NISHKA CHANDRASOMA | VP, SEC. & CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER | 45 | $693,307 |
| MARTIN ABREGU | VP, INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS | 45 | $549,401 |
| SARITA GUPTA | VP, U.S. PROGRAMS | 45 | $483,656 |
| MICHELE MOORE | VP & CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER | 45 | $508,141 |
| DIANE HEADLY | VP & CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER | 45 | $486,903 |
| DEPELSHA MCGRUDER | VP, COO & TREASURER | 45 | $683,920 |
| FRANCISCO G CIGARROA | TRUSTEE & CHAIR | — | $70,000 |
| URSULA M BURNS | TRUSTEE | — | $50,000 |
| CATALINA DEVANDAS | TRUSTEE | — | $50,000 |
| AMY C FALLS | TRUSTEE | — | $50,000 |
| HENRY FORD III | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| THOMAS L KEMPNER JR | TRUSTEE | — | $50,000 |
| LOURDES LOPEZ | TRUSTEE | — | $50,000 |
| PAULA MORENO | TRUSTEE | — | $50,000 |
| GBENGA OYEBODE | TRUSTEE | — | $50,000 |
| AI-JEN POO | TRUSTEE | — | $50,000 |
| LAURENE POWELL JOBS | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| CHUCK ROBBINS | TRUSTEE | — | $50,000 |
| BRYAN STEVENSON | TRUSTEE | — | $50,000 |
| GABRIELLE SULZBERGER | TRUSTEE | — | $50,000 |
| GEORGE WALKER | TRUSTEE (AS OF 3/2024) | — | $16,667 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Ford Foundation has announced several major funding initiatives and partnerships:
Ford Foundation Commits $75 Million in New Funding to the US South - FordCommitted $75 million in new funding to the US South
Ford Foundation Commits $75 Million in New Funding to the US South - FordJoined the Press Forward funder coalition, which will award more than $500 million to revitalize local news
New funder coalition Press Forward will award more than $500 million to revitalizeAwarded grants for innovative research on youth sexuality
Ford Foundation awards grants for innovative research on youth sexualityLaunched "Reclaiming the Border Narrative" in partnership with Borealis Philanthropy, Center for Cultural Power, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures
Ford Foundation, Borealis Philanthropy, Center for Cultural Power, NationalSupported grantees advancing climate justice across West Africa
Ford Foundation grantees advance climate justice across West AfricaSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Ford Foundation fund?
The Ford Foundation believes in the inherent dignity of all people. The organization is guided by a vision of social justice—a world in which all individuals, communities, and peoples work toward the protection and full expression of their human rights; are active participants in the decisions that affect them; share equitably in the knowledge, wealth, and resources of society; and are free to achieve their full potential. Across eight decades, the foundation's mission has been to reduce povert…
How do I apply for a grant from The Ford Foundation?
The Ford Foundation maintains an active grantmaking portfolio with typical award ranges from $36 to $18,664,000. Total giving in 2024 was $840,817,348. Recent grant activity includes: • $15,000,000 to Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors for core support of the Abundant Futures Fund (formerly the New Immigration Fund), a national funder collaborative to engage new donors and increase funding for immigration issues and the immigrant justice movement • Support for the Justice and Mobility Fund to ac…
Where does The Ford Foundation make grants?
The Ford Foundation funds primarily in New York, the District of Columbia, and California, with significant international presence. The organization supports programs in more than 50 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and other regions globally.
What size grants does The Ford Foundation award?
In 2024, The Ford Foundation awarded 4,007 grants totaling $844.7M — an average of about $211K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Ford Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Ford Foundation reported a distributable amount of $814.9M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Ford Foundation's EIN?
The Ford Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-1684331. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Ford Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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