Equals Change Blog

The right to protest has always been essential to movements for human rights and social justice. But around the world, there is a big gap between the promise of that right, and its reality.

Universal free school lunch is a simple but radical idea. It removes stigma, improves children’s health and education, and helps low-income families make ends meet. Because it is one system, it also simplifies administrative processes, allowing schools, principals, and teachers to focus on teaching.

The people responsible for the safety and health of our loved ones are paid less than parking lot attendants, and rarely receive health insurance or other benefits. According to PHI, home care workers in the US, like Vilma, are 89% female and make a median annual income of $13,300.

The “American Dream”—one of the country’s most foundational principles—has long made a simple promise: Hard work leads to success. But what happens when large swaths of American society don’t buy into it?

Privilege is very comfortable. But fighting the kind of inequality that leads to great suffering for so many will require disrupting that privilege, and breaking down some of the barriers that enable and preserve it.

There are millions of workers around the world who are working and living at the periphery of the formal economy. We call these workers informal workers.

In 2015, the Ford Foundation decided to "walk our talk" and start a professional development program for formerly incarcerated people. Our HR department explains what the process was like. 

Ford Foundation shares some lessons for organizations considering starting a hiring program for formally incarcerated people.

In their new book, Whiplash: How to Survive Our Faster Future, MIT Media Lab director Joi Ito and journalist and MIT visiting scholar Jeff Howe lay out new “rules” for surviving and advancing in this age of rapid technological change.

The global refugee crisis poses a range of challenges to host countries but also economic and cultural opportunities. Policy solutions that ensure refugees’ dignity and help build their skills, talents, and assets will ensure that migrants can live full lives and contribute to their new communities.

The US tax code is upside down—spending on tax benefits for wealthy Americans is significantly higher than on federal agency programs that benefit Americans who need help the most. A commonsense tax code would benefit all Americans and minimize wealth inequality.

Consumer Reports launches open-source consumer privacy effort called the Digital Standard, supported by the Ford Foundation.

Each week, nearly one-third of the US population visits a Walmart store. As is the case with nearly half of all Americans, many of these shoppers have $400 or less in savings. In fact, one in six Americans says he or she is unprepared for a financial emergency, and only half feel financially secure. A third say they have no savings at all, according to a recent Pew survey.

Ford Foundation program officers reflect on the progress made in the past year since the Paris Climate Agreement was adopted, the roles of business and indigenous land rights in combating climate change, and how countries are moving from planning to implementation.

Darren Walker writes about finding hope amid the global challenges of 2016.

America Divided, a new documentary series from EPIX, explores narratives around inequality in education, housing, healthcare, labor, criminal justice and the political system.

Ford Foundation staff recap Episode 5 of America Divided and discuss domestic workers' rights and voter suppression

For the first time since 1999, we have seen improvements in incomes, poverty reduction, and health coverage all in one year.

Evan Mawarire's Facebook video lamenting the worsening economic crisis and political repression in Zimbabwe sparked an online revolution, #ThisFlag. Mawarire urged Zimbabweans to reclaim their aspirations and reminded them that the power to change the status quo is in the hands of citizens. 

Javier Ciurlizza, the Ford Foundation’s Andean Region representative, discusses the strategy behind the opening of a new regional headquarters in Bogotá, Colombia, inequality in Colombia, the historic peace agreement, and what’s ahead for the region.

Raising the minimum wage positively impacts all Americans and the broader economy. Workers are making gains in raising the minimum wage, guaranteeing paid sick days and paid family leave, and cracking down on wage theft, but there is still progress to be made. 

El 5 de septiembre de 2016, la Fundación Ford abrirá una nueva oficina regional en Bogotá (Colombia), la cual se convertirá en la sede central de nuestras labores en la Región Andina. Javier Ciurlizza, director de la fundación para esta región, habla sobre la estrategia que motivó el traslado, así como la desigualdad en Colombia, el histórico acuerdo de paz y lo que le espera a la región en el futuro.

A Q&A with Roosevelt Institute President Felicia Wong on how to create a  US economic system that supports strong growth and shared prosperity for all.

The global inequality of opportunity is what's driving the current migration crisis.

In a world where building connections is everything, paid internships offer young people of all different economic and social classes the opportunity to prepare for the future without having to sacrifice financial stability.

Ford Foundation interns weigh in on President Darren Walker's New York Times op-ed "Why Internships Are Not a Privilege."

Internships help disadvantaged students tap into the advantages that so many of their peers already have.

Just and inclusive cities put people first, and put equity and social justice at the center of policy and design.

Google’s ban eliminates a major way for payday lenders to entice consumers, but industry and government leaders need to address the underlying reasons why people turn to payday loans in the first place.

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha and Lee-Anne Walters, key players in exposing the Flint water crisis, discuss the root causes of the crisis and implications for other cities across America.

Tech startups can take risks with new technology, while large incumbent financial institutions have the resources to go to scale, the result can be increased financial inclusion.

Taking lessons from public health, five ideas that can help Americans improve their financial literacy and wellbeing. 

Author Steve Phillips offers some bold ideas to address inequality and close America's racial wealth gap

Davis Reiland, CEO of Sunrise Banks on the importance of access to small-dollar lending.

While tipping remains a favored practice in the United States, it has created a system of unfair pay that disproportionately affects women and people of color—a system that has roots in America’s ugly history of slavery and racial discrimination.

Paul Polman, Rajiv Joshi, and Martin Whittaker on how capitalism and the 1% can help fight inequality.

As world leaders, CEOs, and intellectuals make their way to Davos for the World Economic Forum, let’s not have yesterday’s conversation about inequality.

JUST Capital CEO Martin Whittaker answered five questions about the agenda at Davos and the role of business in building a more fair and equitable world.

Foundation staff weigh in on Obama's final State of the Union, and  his takes on criminal justice reform, raising the minimum wage, climate change, discrimination, and inequality

President Obama announced a major improvement to the federal student aid application process, making it easier for students to tap into needed Pell Grants and other college aid. 

As we celebrate Independence Day, we reflect on the lessons about working for freedom and justice over the past months.

State Secretary for Family Farmers created in Maranhão to support and invest in rural communities, especially babassu coconut breakers

Through concerted, sustained, and multi-pronged programs that empower individuals and open opportunity, it is possible to significantly improve the lives of the poorest people in a number of meaningful ways.

An example of true leadership development and community building.

Program officer Amy Brown offers her reflections on a form of financial injustice faced by so many Americans.

Read program officer Anna Shireen Wadia's reflections on how paid leave policies can help break the cycle of inequality.

Program officer Jean Ross celebrates 20 years of impact made by the State Priorities Partnership (SPP).

Learn about Ford's commitment to Detroit.

Frank DeGiovanni, Director at the foundation discusses how we do good business in a global world.

The Ford Forum presents conversations with change makers about their ideas for reshaping our fundamental systems for greater good.

Program officer Amy Brown shares five things you should know about student debt and social justice.

The federal government recognizes the importance of workplace flexibility, decent wage, and improved policies for working families.

Contrary to popular belief, telling personal stories about living in poverty can be captivating, and Talkpoverty.org is doing just that. Read about Amy's story.

Learn about the Graduation approach, planned interventions that lift people from extreme poverty to sustainable livelihoods.

A recent experiment led by Refund to Savings (R2S) showed that savings prompts on tax prep software helped increase the number of people who saved money and the amount they saved.