The Ford
Foundation is a private, nonprofit institution dedicated to the
public well-being. It seeks to identify and contribute to the
solution of problems of national or international importance. The
Foundation works mainly by granting funds to institutions and
organizations for experimental, demonstration, and developmental
efforts that give promise of producing significant advances in
various fields. As an additional means of accomplishing program
objectives, the Foundation in some instances makes grants to
individuals whose professional talent or experience corresponds
with its programs and activities. The Foundation also makes loans
or otherwise invests in enterprises that advance philanthropic
purposes in its fields of interest.
The Foundation
was established in 1936 by Henry Ford and Edsel Ford and made
grants largely to Michigan charitable and educational institutions
until 1950, when it became a national organization. It has had no
ties to the Ford family or company for many years.
Including the
fiscal year 1983, the Foundation has made commitments totaling $5.9
billion, including grants to more than 8,000 institutions and
organizations. The recipients have been located in all fifty
states, the District of Columbia, and various foreign countries,
especially in less-developed areas.
A board of
trustees from a variety of fields determines Foundation policy. A
professional staff evaluates grant applications, explores means and
opportunities to stimulate advances in fields with which the
Foundation is concerned, works with prospective grantees, and
recommends proposals for approval by the president and the
trustees.
Applications for
grants should set forth objectives and details of methods for
carrying them out, the qualifications of the persons and
institutions involved, the institution's affirmative action policy
and record, and an estimated budget. The Foundation does not use
grant-application forms. Domestic applications and inquiries about
how nominations or applications for grants to individuals may be
made should be sent to the Secretary of the Foundation; applicants
in foreign areas where the Foundation has an office should direct
their proposals to the resident representative.
Activities
supported by Foundation grants must be charitable, educational, or
scientific under the appropriate provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code and Regulations. Because its funds are limited in relation to
the great number of worthwhile proposals it receives, the
Foundation limits its grants to efforts likely to have wide effect.
It does not grant funds for purely personal or local needs, the
routine operating costs of institutions, programs for which
government support is readily available, or the construction or
maintenance of buildings.