Signature Initiatives

Beyond grant making in our three program areas, we have established separate initiatives that focus on areas in which the foundation historically has had particular interest.

	Special Initiative on Agent Orange/Dioxin Supports efforts to develop practical responses to the continuing human and environmental consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin, to address health needs stemming from toxic herbicides and to promote a dialogue between the United States and Vietnam on the issue.
	International Fellowships Program Offers advanced studies to a new generation of leaders in communities outside of the United States that lack access to higher education.
	International Initiative to Strengthen Philanthropy Operates in partnership with 18 foundations based in 13 countries, spanning Latin America and the Caribbean, the United States, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Eastern Europe and South Asia, to build the capacity of a select group of philanthropic organizations.
	Difficult Dialogues Supports civil dialogue and scholarship on controversial contemporary issues in U.S. undergraduate education.
	Global Initiative on HIV/AIDS Works to ensure that global efforts to combat HIV/AIDS reflect the diverse on-the-ground realities of the worldwide epidemic.
	GrantCraft Provides a source of practical wisdom for grant makers, offering tools and techniques for effective grant making.
	Pathways to Higher Education Focuses on higher education institutions outside the United States to transform admissions policies, classroom practices and institutional climate to enable students from marginalized communities to enter college and successfully earn degrees.
	Good Neighbor Committee Supports organizations and activities in the community surrounding our New York City headquarters.
	Innovations in American Government Recognizes and promotes excellence and creativity in the public sector in the United States.
	United States Artists Invests in the creative vibrancy of America by offering fellowships to individual artists.
	TrustAfrica Encourages collaborations among African institutions to address the continent's most pressing problems.
	Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowships Seeks to increase faculty diversity in U.S. colleges and universities.
	Leadership for a Changing World Seeks to recognize, strengthen and support leaders and to highlight the importance of community leadership in improving people's lives.