Resources for Donors

Momentum: Sustaining Efforts to Improve Life Outcomes Among African-American Males

This study documents gatherings foundations have held across the country to develop ways to address the challenges facing young black men and analyzes opportunities for a coordinated philanthropic response to these issues. Momentum is a follow up to the Why We Can’t Wait: A Case for Philanthropic Action, Opportunities for Improving Life Outcomes for African American Males report.

Bridges to Opportunity for Underprepared Adults: A State Policy Guide for Community College Leaders

This guide to lessons learned from the Community College Bridges to Opportunity Initiative is intended primarily for governors, legislators and state agency officials concerned about the competitiveness of their state’s workforce. It is particularly useful to leaders in states with few well-educated workers to replace retiring Baby Boomers or with significant low-skill immigrant populations.

Leadership in the Native Arts and Culture Sector

Burgeoning cultural renewal in Native America and growing mainstream recognition of Native artists and their ideas have resulted in substantial growth in the Native arts and culture sector. Native arts leaders recognize that additional colleagues are necessary to steer this expansion. This report is the first response to those needs, and lays the groundwork for developing a new cohort of dedicated, accomplished leaders.

Why We Can't Wait: Opportunities for Improving Life Outcomes for African American Males

An examination of programs, policies and services that impact the life outcomes of African-American males. The report is intended to serve as a springboard for ideas, strategies and programs that philanthropy professionals, nonprofit leaders and civil society can nurture to the point of outcomes that improve the quality of life for black men and boys.

Funding Foundations: Report on Ford Foundation Support of Grantmaking Institutions, 1975 to 2001

A review and analysis of the Ford Foundation’s support of new and emerging foundations in the United States and overseas from 1975 to 2001. Commissioned by the foundation’s Philanthropy Learning Group, consultant Laurie Regelbrugge examined three major sets of grant-making institutions we supported. The report offers an analysis of efforts to support these institutions in three key areas: mobilizing local resources, developing effective structures for self-governance and engaging in effective grant making.

Sexuality and Social Change: Making the Connection

After widespread neglect over many years, the value of studying human sexuality has recently been recognized for its bearing on many important debates and problems in contemporary society. This report offers strategies for action and investment.

Part of the Solution: Leveraging Business and Markets for Low-Income People

This report presents lessons learned from the Corporate Involvement Initiative of the Ford Foundation, an effort to demonstrate that businesses could use core operating resources and competencies in ways that contribute to large-scale improvement in income and assets for low-income people, while benefiting business.

Responding to the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks: Lessons from Relief and Recovery in New York City

This report supplements the Ford Foundation document The Philanthropic Response to 9/11. It seeks to increase public understanding of lessons learned in the overall government-philanthropic relief effort, highlight unresolved public policy issues arising from the 9/11 experience, and suggest an approach to enhancing our preparedness for future similar events.

Sustainable Solutions

An introduction to 14 initiatives that illustrate the growth of a global movement for social equity, environmental justice and sustainable development.

Philanthropic Response to 9/11, The

This report examines the philanthropic response to 9/11 that focuses on key aspects of the relief and recovery efforts in New York City. Also available is the follow-up report, Responding to the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks.

Win Win

This report documents the strategies of leading companies that are investing in low-income U.S. communities in ways that make good business sense.

Win Win: Expert Media Resource Guide

A companion to Win Win, this publication is a guide to leading national nonprofit, academic and business institutions with expertise in issues related to corporate involvement in community and economic development.

Primer for Endowment Grantmakers

A summary of the Ford Foundation's wide range of funding mechanisms for assisting and enhancing the work of nonprofit organizations.

Investment Management for Endowed Institutions

A 2001 primer on investment strategies for endowed institutions. It describes a step-by-step process through which institutions can invest their funds wisely. This brief handbook covers endowment governance and management, as well as general principles of investing.

Ford Foundation Good Neighbor Committee

An introduction to the foundation's grant-making program serving the area immediately surrounding the foundation headquarters in Midtown Manhattan. In its first three years of operations the committee, composed of foundation employees who engage with local community groups, awarded 40 grants totaling more than $850,000 to neighborhood initiatives.