Private foundation · New York, NY (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
The Ford Foundation
Takes applications. See how to apply below.
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 14 totaling $1.2 million · 7 in Shelby County
- Typical grant
- $375 to $150,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask
- About $50,000, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Shelby County, Jefferson County, Davidson County, Hamilton County, Knox County · plus 3993 grants outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
- Funds new groups?
- 57% of the Tennessee groups it funded in 2024 were new (not funded in 2023): 4 of 7.
- Total giving that year
- $844.7 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $844.7M | $1.2M | 14 |
| 2023 | $735.8M | $1.9M | 24 |
How to apply
- Contact
- The ford foundation · new york · 2125735000
- What to send
- Proposals should set forth a description of the proposed work; how the work will be conducted; the names and curriculum vitae of those engaged in the project; a detailed budget, the project's present means of support, the project's status of applications to other funding sources, and the project's legal and tax status.
- Limits
- Activities supported by foundation grants must be charitable, educational or scientific under the provisions of the u.s. Internal revenue code and the treasury regulations.
As the foundation reported to the IRS for tax year 2024. Check its website or call before sending anything, because contacts and deadlines change.
Board and officers
Does your board know anyone here?
Checked in your browser only. The names are kept on this device for other foundation pages and are never sent to GrantMe.
- Eric W DoppstadtVp & chief investment officer
- Darren WalkerPresident & trustee
- Hillary PenningtonExecutive vp of programs
- Nishka ChandrasomaVp, sec. & chief legal officer
- Martin AbreguVp, international programs
- Sarita GuptaVp, u.s. programs
- Michele MooreVp & chief communications officer
- Diane HeadlyVp & chief people officer
- Depelsha McgruderVp, coo & treasurer
- Francisco G CigarroaTrustee & chair
- Ursula M BurnsTrustee
- Catalina DevandasTrustee
- Amy C FallsTrustee
- Henry Ford IIITrustee
- Thomas L Kempner JrTrustee
- Lourdes LopezTrustee
- Paula MorenoTrustee
- Gbenga OyebodeTrustee
- Ai-Jen PooTrustee
- Laurene Powell JobsTrustee
- Chuck RobbinsTrustee
- Bryan StevensonTrustee
- Gabrielle SulzbergerTrustee
- George WalkerTrustee (as of 3/2024)
As listed in its 2024 IRS filing. Many foundations decide through their board, so a personal connection often matters more than a perfect application.
What it funds most often
- Matching gift
- Core support for an exhibition by tabitha arnold on the history of workers rights and labor struggles in...
- Core support for peoples advocacy institute
- Core support for power u
- Core support for the engine for art, democracy and justice project, a collaborative civic engagement...
- Core support to the vanderbilt policy accelerator for research on technology regulation using the lenses...
- For the waymakers collective to establish a pooled fund supporting drag and lgbtq+ artists and pride...
Tennessee organizations it funded
Shelby County grants are listed first, then the largest. Past winners are good people to ask what the foundation looks for. Select a group to see who else funds it.
| Past winner | Where | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis Brooks Museum of Art Inc. | Memphis, Shelby County | General support | $200K |
| St Jude Childrens Research Hospital | Memphis, Shelby County | Matching gift | $4,500 |
| St Jude Childrens Research Hospital | Memphis, Shelby County | Matching gift | $4,500 |
| St Jude Childrens Research Hospital | Memphis, Shelby County | Matching gift | $375 |
| St Jude Childrens Research Hospital | Memphis, Shelby County | Matching gift | $300 |
| St Jude Childrens Research Hospital | Memphis, Shelby County | Matching gift | $300 |
| Helen James Foundation | Memphis, Shelby County | Matching gift | $157 |
| Waymakers Collective | Knoxville, Knox County | For the waymakers collective to establish a pooled fund supporting drag and... | $325K |
| Highlander Research and Education Center Inc. | New Market, Jefferson County | General support | $200K |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Core support for the engine for art, democracy and justice project, a... | $150K |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Core support to the vanderbilt policy accelerator for research on technology... | $125K |
| Highlander Research and Education Center Inc. | New Market, Jefferson County | Core support for peoples advocacy institute | $100K |
| Chattanoogans in Action for Love Equality & Benevolence | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | Core support for an exhibition by tabitha arnold on the history of workers... | $50K |
| Highlander Research and Education Center Inc. | New Market, Jefferson County | Core support for power u | $50K |
Grants approved for future years
In its tax-year 2024 IRS Form 990-PF the foundation listed grants it had approved but not yet paid: 4 to Tennessee groups totaling $475,000. These are multi-year commitments, so they show what it has promised to keep funding. Some may have been paid since.
| Recipient | Where | Purpose | Amount | Tax year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander Research and Education Center Inc. | New Market, Jefferson County | General support | $200K | 2024 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Core support to the vanderbilt policy accelerator for research on technology... | $125K | 2024 |
| Highlander Research and Education Center Inc. | New Market, Jefferson County | Core support for peoples advocacy institute | $100K | 2024 |
| Highlander Research and Education Center Inc. | New Market, Jefferson County | Core support for power u | $50K | 2024 |
Data: GivingTuesday Data Commons, ODbL
Foundation website All its IRS filings (ProPublica) Sign in to save