The Ford Foundation is a private philanthropic institution that serves as a resource for innovative people and institutions worldwide. Our goals are to: Strengthen democratic values; reduce poverty and injustice; promote international cooperation; advance human achievement. This has been our purpose for almost half a century.

A fundamental challenge facing every society is to create political, economic and social systems that promote peace, human welfare and the sustainability of the environment on which life depends.

We believe that finding solutions to the world's most complex problems requires engaging the people and the communities closest to them, including men and women from diverse backgrounds and all levels of society.

We work mainly by making grants or loans that build knowledge and strengthen organizations and networks. These methods of problem-solving reflect our mission and the diverse ways we support grantees. They also describe a model of philanthropy that the foundation has pursued since its inception: To be a long-term and flexible partner with innovative leaders on the frontlines of social change.

We make grants from our New York headquarters and our regional offices in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Russia.