Ford Foundation Strategic Plan Strategic plan for Ford Foundation, a global grantmaking philanthropy that works to disrupt inequality in all its forms through support for social justice organizations and networks. This strategic plan was extracted from publicly available information by AI (Claude, Anthropic) on February 10, 2026, including the foundation's website, program descriptions, principles documents, and organizational materials. Ford Foundation was established in 1936 and is headquartered in New York City at the Center for Social Justice. The foundation operates eleven regional offices around the world and supports programs in more than 50 countries. It holds $16.8 billion in assets and makes approximately 1,400 grants annually, distributing over 5% of endowment to grants and program-related investments. Ford Foundation FF uuid-1a2b3c4d-5e6f-7a8b-9c0d-1e2f3a4b5c6d A global philanthropic organization established in 1936 working to reduce inequality through grants to social justice organizations and networks worldwide. Originally focused on Michigan, expanded to international scope in 1953. Separate entity from Ford Motor Company since portfolio diversification 1955-1974. Darren Walker President, leading foundation's sharpened focus on global inequality since his appointment Nick Turner Executive Vice President for Programs, stewarding strategic impact of programmatic work across headquarters and regional offices Henry Ford III Board Trustee, first Ford family member to serve on board since 1976 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. uuid-2b3c4d5e-6f7a-8b9c-0d1e-2f3a4b5c6d7e To reduce poverty and injustice, strengthen democratic values, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement. The foundation believes social movements are built upon individual leadership, strong institutions, and innovative, often high-risk ideas. uuid-3c4d5e6f-7a8b-9c0d-1e2f-3a4b5c6d7e8f Social Justice Belief that inequality is at the root of nearly every injustice and commitment to addressing structural inequalities including actors, institutions, and systems that uphold inequality. Participatory Approach Seeking to be participatory and collaborative in strategy development and grantmaking, engaging grantees intentionally to help define problems and identify opportunities. Grantee-Centered Fostering approach that centers needs of grantees through long-term relationships, multi-year flexible support, full indirect cost payment, and support for institutional health and resilience. Power Recognition Interrogating how different populations are affected by particular issues and understanding power dynamics among people and institutions working to address problems. Learning Orientation Focusing on understanding progress and obstacles, interrogating assumptions about how change happens, and using evaluation to learn from both progress and challenges. Civic Engagement Build resilient, robust democracy for the many, not the few, where government is accountable to broader set of constituents and reflects priorities shared across all communities, especially those not historically in power. Strengthen and expand pathways of democratic engagement at all levels of government. 40d6431b-711b-4050-b802-a1b9224ba452 1 Marginalized Communities Communities that have been historically excluded from political participation and decision-making. Civic Engagement and Government program. Focus on voting rights, redistricting, 2030 Census, and building bigger "we" for multiracial democracy. Voting Rights Protect and expand voting rights and civic participation, ensure elections are free and fair. 8a4650b5-8021-4d8f-ac0c-f992d7ec7b15 1.1 Census Redistricting Guarantee 2030 Census is effectively funded and implemented, support fair redistricting processes. 935d6620-b365-4eb1-a4c6-03304aeb9c20 1.2 Rural Engagement Engage rural communities including working-class and low-income communities that feel impact of entrenched inequality. 0c478d3c-f3f8-4c25-95d5-43c79567bcd7 1.3 Coalition Building Build stronger pathways to meaningful civic engagement and bridge racial and urban/rural divides that splinter pro-democracy causes and coalitions. 8ae56e77-23cc-4289-84ec-3db75856f87d 1.4 Responsive Government Support elected officials and civil servants to engage long-excluded communities in developing and implementing policies, demonstrating government responsiveness. 70d544f4-3bc5-4c23-992c-f53050afd184 1.5 Creative Expression Support creativity and free expression as essential to human dignity and democracy, enabling artists and cultural organizations to create and share work that challenges inequality and imagines more just futures. b435bf39-406e-4335-a5fa-4130c3a11758 2 Artists Creative workers who use their art to challenge inequality and advance social justice. Creativity and Free Expression program. Includes America's Cultural Treasures initiative with $165 million pledged to help arts organizations run by people of color. Artists Support Provide resources and support for artists, particularly those from marginalized communities, to create and share work. 50da758e-7ae0-4a1e-a91d-9a9aa08e2afb 2.1 Cultural Organizations Strengthen arts and cultural organizations, especially those led by people of color, to sustain their impact. 13986a20-32a2-4503-adaa-dd4fec535816 2.2 America's Cultural Treasures joint effort with other philanthropists after COVID-19 pandemic. Disability Rights Advance economic justice and rights realization for disabled people through efforts of diverse, coordinated, and empowered disability rights and justice advocates. Build effective leaders and networks within disability rights movement and broader social justice movements. 4b7c1f8f-dc1b-4be7-a3cd-20d10eb17a87 3 Disabled People Individuals with disabilities who face barriers to economic security and full rights realization. Disability Rights initiative, part of U.S. Strategy. Newer program with grantmaking currently limited to U.S. Economic Justice Advance economic justice for disabled people to increase economic security and opportunity. 7dc3b47a-ac47-4e17-9089-d71e4ee2f94c 3.1 Leadership Networks Build effective leaders and networks both within disability rights movement and within broader social justice movements. d6acf6f1-30a5-49a5-8d8b-29478340a898 3.2 Field Strengthening Strengthen the disability field to increase capacity and effectiveness of disability rights organizations. 30c3f98e-254a-4527-acd3-4e0c8bfe431a 3.3 Positive Narratives Cultivate positive narratives about disabled people to shift public understanding and reduce stigma. f087a725-8a7e-41e5-9ba7-2514912349d7 3.4 Future Work Ensure all workers, regardless of status, have equal rights to labor protections, that social protections are guaranteed to all, and that workers shape the policies and economic systems that affect their lives. Address increasing corporate power over workers and complicated role of technology in changing labor markets. 7d86f53e-35ad-410c-8d09-8e164623076c 4 Workers All workers regardless of employment status who need labor protections and social protections. Future of Work(ers) program. Cross-regional focus. Labor Organizations Strengthen capacity of labor organizations to represent and advocate for workers effectively. 0b6f766d-5f47-4344-8918-3645da4c548c 4.1 Labor Policy Support advocacy and organizing for just and equitable 21st century labor policy. 924f9759-6980-47ae-b20a-d8a248c3e5bd 4.2 Tech Governance Collaborate with stakeholders to bring worker lens to technology policy and governance. ae4c89e7-65ec-4e0e-aec8-59a9da00bc40 4.3 Technical Capacity Build technical capacities of worker organizations to increase their impact in digital age. f820d96c-e7e0-4831-b236-95d08e9dc2fb 4.4 Worker Communications Advance communications strategies related to workers' rights and protections. 7874c168-de7b-4074-b16e-62c871fea5f3 4.5 Justice Equity Advance gender, racial, and ethnic justice by dismantling systems and structures that perpetuate discrimination and inequality based on identity. Support movements led by those most affected by injustice. 600063c4-332a-45ed-8d2c-d55af70778b7 5 Marginalized Groups Women, people of color, and other groups facing discrimination based on identity. Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Justice program. Foundation significantly increased grant funding toward racial justice grantees since late 1960s. Gender Justice Advance gender justice by supporting women's rights, ending violence against women, and promoting women's economic and political empowerment. db05f6f9-919a-413b-bfd4-bf8f7fc461b6 5.1 Racial Justice Dismantle systems of racial oppression and support racial justice movements and organizations led by people of color. 7dbb52e1-71c4-426e-a824-3e391722f19b 5.2 Ethnic Justice Address discrimination and inequality based on ethnicity and support ethnic minorities in achieving full rights. ec19f8ad-f589-432b-88fd-bc5ca210b8c5 5.3 Technology Society Ensure internet and digital technologies are designed and governed to advance social and economic justice. Bring technologists to table to ensure technology advances rather than undermines equality. Develop field of technology in social justice sector. 473b5c0e-9ff8-41cd-954d-952687bcc684 6 Technology Users All people affected by design and governance of internet and digital technologies. Technology and Society program. Cross-regional focus working with all regions. Field Development Develop and strengthen the technology area within larger social justice field. 6dac8642-2d60-45d0-a506-f7e55ed0b8e9 6.1 Justice Technologists Identify and support development of technologists and experts who blend diverse technical expertise with social justice values. a36e9bd2-029a-4aeb-bc10-83d225014078 6.2 Tech Awareness Increase public awareness and donor engagement with technology and social justice field. e0d3fe1d-f9fb-4cd0-817f-b2cc4ae2ba98 6.3 Affirmative Visions Support research and narrative for affirmative visions of future of technology that advance justice. e472e0c5-fe05-4dbb-ad9d-fc84558f57a7 6.4 Climate Justice Put people most affected by environmental challenges at center of solutions for natural resources and climate justice. Address climate change and environmental degradation while advancing rights and wellbeing of frontline communities. 4f6f086a-8215-4de4-ae88-8dc27c405a8e 7 Frontline Communities Communities most affected by environmental challenges and climate change. Natural Resources and Climate Justice focus area. Recently broadened scope. Climate Action Support action to address climate change with focus on justice for those most affected. 7b7c94f0-1abf-4278-8979-b80b158fdc9d 7.1 Resource Rights Protect natural resource rights of communities and advance sustainable resource management. 5d96b56a-a774-442a-92f2-4eaf78c8fa9a 7.2 Frontline Leadership Center leadership of frontline communities in environmental decision-making and solutions. c75a60e9-d829-4f97-9037-057bf10293be 7.3 Mission Investments Invest foundation capital to help solve world's greatest social problems through grants, program-related investments (PRI), and mission-related investments (MRI). Develop more inclusive form of capitalism that prioritizes purpose alongside profit. a6f313ca-b0a2-4a80-9b5a-0235c6c7efd8 8 Underserved Communities Communities often overlooked by mainstream financial institutions that can benefit from mission-driven investments. Mission Investments program. Utilizes program-related investments (PRIs) and mission-related investments (MRIs) in addition to traditional grants. PRIs Make program-related investments in communities often overlooked by mainstream financial institutions to encourage other lenders and create social impact. a319cb0e-c03f-4d04-8715-b99938659ffb 8.1 Example: investing in nonprofit fund for affordable housing development. Inclusive Capitalism Address how current global capitalist system increases inequality by developing more inclusive economic models. c1ba6232-24ec-41fc-8698-f07dbfdccc7c 8.2 BUILD Strengthen social justice organizations and networks on frontlines of building more just and equitable systems through five years of general operating support and targeted organizational strengthening support. Enable grantees to achieve long-term impact and advance systems change. 952e67d9-f9e6-475c-8099-82904581ee0a 9 Social Justice Organizations Organizations working on frontlines of social justice across all Ford program areas. Building Institutions and Networks initiative. $1 billion dispersed 2016-2021 to nearly 350 grantee partners in over 30 countries. Second round of $1 billion awarded 2022-2026. Invitation only to current grantees. Represents shift toward longer-term, more flexible funding with focus on organizational strengthening. Operating Support Provide five years of general operating support to strengthen organizational sustainability and flexibility. 8ece6edb-c62d-46db-beb3-a3f82788f905 9.1 Organizational Capacity Provide targeted organizational strengthening support to build capacity across critical functions from grassroots mobilizing to policy analysis to strategic litigation. d3b296ec-dcbc-451a-b6ac-fc6468752848 9.2 2024-01-01 2030-12-31 2026-02-10 https://www.fordfoundation.org Owen Ambur Owen.Ambur@verizon.net