Stories

For centuries, cultures across the world have recognized the fluidity of gender and celebrated gender nonconformity. To advance justice and truly achieve equality, we need to understand the systems and structures throughout history that have boxed people into false binaries and expand our definition of gender.

BUILD started as an experiment to reimagine philanthropy and has become our most impactful grantmaking to date. Our hypothesis that nonprofits would thrive with longer, larger, and more flexible grants had not only been proven—it defied our expectations. We share what we've learned so far in a new report.

As Russia escalates its attacks on Ukraine, we are being confronted once again with the defining conflict of our time: the great contest between authoritarian rule and democratic values. Ukraine holds a warning for the world over and we must act now to protect the future of global democracy.

The intersecting crises of climate change and inequality threaten to make an outmoded vision of perpetuity, at best, obsolete—and, at worst, destructive. We must join together, with urgency and purpose, to ensure the work of justice lives on in perpetuity, as does the planet on which our very survival depends.

A powerful alliance of Indigenous peoples and local communities are showing the world a path to environmental justice with the best technology for carbon capture—their forests.

Around the world, Black feminists are leading intersectional movements for social justice—but they are drastically underfunded. The new Black Feminist Fund will support this powerful global community long overlooked by philanthropy. The fund’s three founders outline why now is the time to back Black feminists.

In Guatemala, Indigenous and local groups have proven that when they manage forests, it cuts emissions that contribute to climate change and strengthens the local economy—a model for countries around the world. Can this forest concession system survive forces trying to silence their achievements?

In the midst of one of history’s most tumultuous years, president Darren Walker sat down with 60 Minutes’ Lesley Stahl to talk about the challenges facing the world and how we must reimagine philanthropy to answer the call for justice.

Who better to fight for migrant women than the daughter of farmworkers? Lawyer Monica Ramirez hasn’t stopped advocating for the Latino community since she was 14. Name a challenge migrant women workers face and she is probably tackling it—from sexual harassment to equal pay to COVID-19.

We talk to Giselle Leung from the Global Impact Investing Network, about how investors are playing a key role in the response to COVID-19, and promoting equity in the process.

Technology is changing the world at a blistering pace. Organizations can’t just keep up, they need to work with public interest technologists to shape the spread of tech as a tool for change. We talk to Mozilla Foundation’s Vice President about how our joint fellowship is meeting this moment.

​As America faces a pandemic of pandemics, the very idea of democracy is being tested. As the country mourns and works to move forward, President Darren Walker makes the case for moral leadership to reimagine a future grounded in equality and justice for all.

Extracting natural resources can exacerbate climate change, but it can also lead people to develop disabilities. Around the world, there are movements led by people with disabilities emerging, proving powerful partners in the fight to protect the planet. Connecting environmental justice to disability rights is vital, but it’s just beginning.

Black philanthropy is rooted in the traditions of Black and Pan-African communities globally. Today, a growing movement to demonstrate the power of community-based philanthropy is uniting a network of more than 17 million to mark Black Philanthropy Month each August.Their efforts are taking root, and aim, at racial injustice globally.​

Todo comenzó con un grupo de chat entre amigos en WhatsApp, quienes buscábamos la manera de ayudar a los afectados por el terremoto.

It all started with a WhatsApp group chat between friends looking for ways to help those affected by the quake.

The Ford Foundation will continue to be a major funder in this field, supporting human rights actors and practices within all our efforts to overcome inequality.

El Salvador's Congress voted to prohibit metallic mining, putting aside their differences to protect human health and the environment.

It has now been a year since the courageous environmental activist and indigenous leader Berta Cáceres was murdered in Honduras, and those responsible still have not been brought to justice.

The Ford Foundation recognizes four grantees that recently received special awards for their outstanding work and dedication to advancing human rights in Mexico and Central America.

The Ford Foundation recognizes four grantees that recently received special awards for their work and dedication to advancing human rights

Access to the Internet is critical for freedom of expression in modern societies and for enjoying cultural, social, and economic rights. Government's role in protecting this human right includes not blocking free speech, but also providing the disenfranchised with a voice.

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

Habitat III—the United Nations conference on housing and sustainable urban development—will take place in Quito, Ecuador this October.

The worst-hit countries were Brazil, Colombia, and the Philippines, and nearly 40 percent of victims were members of indigenous groups. 

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

an excerpt from The Shrinking Space for Civil Society: Philanthropic Perspectives From Across the Globe, a new report from the European Foundation Centre (EFC)

Unlike traditional scholarships based primarily on academic achievement, social justice fellowships use non-traditional ways to recruit talented individuals and extend higher education opportunities to leaders from marginalized communities.

The Ford Foundation and the OECD recently brought together 21 mayors from around the world to discuss what cities can do to tackle inequality and promote inclusive growth.

Si bien cada vez se está prestando mayor atención a los derechos indígenas, la mayoría de las personas aún no entienden estas cuestiones y cómo están conectadas con sus propias vidas. Pensé que sería útil explicar los principios básicos en materia de derechos indígenas: qué son, exactamente por qué están siendo amenazadas estas comunidades, y por qué desempeñan un papel fundamental en el abordaje del cambio climático. 

Director of Natural Resources and Climate Change David Kaimowitz reflects on the courageous life and work of indigenous rights leader Berta Cáceres

With the announcement of our new programs, we know many of you have questions. We answer some of them here.

Today, the Ford Foundation’s two-year transition is over. Darren Walker explains the details of FordForward.

We are making some big changes—but what will never change is our commitment to supporting those closest to the problems, engaging collaboratively with every sector, and pursuing the cause of justice and dignity for all people.

Mario Bronfman, former representative of the Mexico and Central America office, reflects on the foundation's commitment to Cuba.

Consulta previa--the right of indigenous groups to be consulted on matters that affect them is a very important issue for Latin America.

The Weekly Five: Mainstreaming the inequality convo, transforming Mexico City, and more...

Deforestation is a major cause of global warming, and so we all have a stake in helping indigenous communities defend their resources.

The Weekly Five: Understanding trans rights, lessons in migration from Ecuador and more...