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
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
No grants recorded for .
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
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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