At the Ford Foundation, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are. We are committed to these values across all of our work around the world.
We believe that when funders make diversity, equity, and inclusion central to their missions, philanthropy has greater impact. That’s because having varied perspectives helps generate better ideas to solve the complex problems of a changing—and increasingly diverse—world.
We’re infusing these values throughout our internal culture, systems, and practices. While doing so is a responsibility all staff share, we’ve also created a task force to help us think in a more focused way about how we advance diversity, equity, and inclusion across the foundation.
What do we mean by diversity, equity, and inclusion?
These concepts mean many things to many people. To us…
Diversity is the representation of all our varied identities and differences (race, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, tribe, caste, socio-economic status, thinking and communication styles, etc.), collectively and as individuals. We seek to proactively engage, understand, and draw on a variety of perspectives. We believe that the solution to the problems we hope to address through our grant making can be found by affirming our similarities, as well as by finding value in our differences.
Equity seeks to ensure fair treatment, equality of opportunity, and fairness in access to information and resources for all. We believe this is only possible in an environment built on respect and dignity.
Inclusion builds a culture of belonging by actively inviting the contribution and participation of all people. We believe every person’s voice adds value, and we strive to create balance in the face of power differences. We believe that no one person can or should be called upon to represent an entire community.
2018 Diversity and Inclusion Update
In the charts below, "Croner" references a survey of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices conducted by The Croner Company and sponsored by Ford Foundation. 33 large foundations with assets greater than $2 billion were invited to participate. 16 submitted data.
The Ford Foundation, by gender
All Staff
Trustees
Executive Leadership Team
Directors
Program Officers
The Ford Foundation, by Race and Ethnicity (US only)
All Staff
Executive Leadership Team
Directors
Program Officers
Operations Managers
So what are we doing?
We have taken a number of concrete steps to infuse diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout our grant making and internal systems.
For example:
- We’re embarking on a global diversity, equity, and inclusion audit of our global policies, practices and procedures, starting in the fall of 2017.
- We’re learning about best practices for achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion, and sharing that knowledge with everyone at the foundation.
- We’re strengthening our ability to recruit and retain exemplary, diverse staff and leadership.
- To ensure parity, we periodically review compensation levels for all staff across various dimensions of diversity.
- We hire consultants and vendors that reflect our commitment to diversity and inclusion. For example, to manage the extensive renovation of our New York City headquarters, we hired Henegan Construction Company, a woman-owned business that actively engages other enterprises owned and operated by minorities, women, and people with disabilities.
- We work to ensure that people of all abilities can access and engage with foundation resources and information.
- Our grant making favors organizations and institutions with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- We support efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion practices across the philanthropy sector more broadly.
Necessarily, strengthening diversity, equity, and inclusion across the foundation is an ongoing process—and so our work in these areas continues to evolve and grow into new areas.
