Ford Foundation

Business Profile

Core Value Proposition

Ford Foundation provides funding, learning resources, and strategic support to advance social justice globally.

Target Customer

Nonprofit organizations, researchers, civil society groups and leaders seeking funding and guidance to advance social justice worldwide.

Key Differentiator

A global philanthropic foundation with a long history (over 85 years of impact) that combines grantmaking with learning, evaluation, and independent research; operates a Center for Social Justice and a public-facing learning ecosystem (Learning Library, program evaluations, and fellowship programs) to inform and accelerate social change.

Implementation Timeline

Longer-term, multi-year initiatives (e.g., Natural Resources and Climate Change International Strategy in place since 2019 as a 10-year plan).

Pain Points

1Inequality and injustice are pervasive; advancing social justice requires systemic change across regions.
2Funders must continuously learn and adapt—capturing what works and what doesn’t from grantees and program evaluations.
3Coordinating across diverse regions and issues while maintaining accountability and effective use of resources.

Key Features

1Grantmaking and grant opportunities across nine interconnected priority areas (Civic Engagement and Government; Creativity and Free Expression; Disability Rights; Future of Work(ers); Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Justice; Global Governance; Mission Investments; Natural Resources and Climate Justice; Technology and Society).
2Learning and knowledge infrastructure (Learning Library, Learning Reflections, Program Evaluations, Research Reports).
3Fellowship programs (Ford Global Fellowship, International Fellowships Program).
4Center for Social Justice and Ford Foundation Gallery/Center offerings.
5Public-facing news, stories, and impact reflections to share learnings and progress.

Target Customer Industries

Client Results

1Grantee Perception Survey results showing strength in impact to grantees’ fields, impact on grantee organizations, and the funder’s selection process, with a note to improve responsiveness.
2Historical impact spanning decades, with public examples of funding and initiatives that support social justice movements and institutions.

Competitive Advantages

1Global reach and longevity as a major philanthropic institution with a broad network of grantees and partners.
2Commitment to learning and evidence through a Learning Library, reflections, and program evaluations, enabling ongoing improvement.
3Integration of grants, research, and independent learning to catalyze social change and movements.
4Visible emphasis on Center for Social Justice and public-facing storytelling to illuminate issues and progress.

Key Benefits

1Funding and support for diverse social justice initiatives.

2Access to learning resources and independent evaluations to improve impact.

3Opportunities for fellows and researchers to contribute to knowledge and practice.

4Public sharing of findings and stories to inspire and inform broader action.

5Longstanding institutional legitimacy and global networks.

Additional Product Information

Product Description

A philanthropic foundation that funds social justice initiatives, supports researchers and civil society, and provides learning resources and evaluations to inform strategic grantmaking and program design globally.

Target Market

Grantees, researchers, NGOs, think tanks, universities, and civil society organizations operating globally to advance social justice and equitable governance.

Unique Value Proposition

A historic, globally distributed funder that pairs grant funding with rigorous learning, evaluation, and research to accelerate social justice movements and strengthen institutions, backed by a dedicated Center for Social Justice and extensive knowledge resources.

Technical Requirements

N/A

Pricing Model

N/A

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