Ford invests $80 million in U.S. workers

Over the next five years, the Ford Foundation will invest $80 million to make it easier for American workers and their families to keep their jobs, and access benefits should they become unemployed. Funds will be used to boost programs and policies that improve job quality, with an emphasis on keeping workers on the job longer.
Full text article is available via the Philanthropy Journal, 1/8/10.

Ford Foundation Commits $80-Million to Help American Workers

With the unemployment rate at its highest point since 1983, the Ford Foundation has committed $80-million to help American workers cope with job losses, declining income, and other problems triggered by the economic downturn.

Full text article by Ian Wilhelm is available via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 12/2/09.

Ford Foundation Commits $100-Million to Change Public Education

The Ford Foundation has pledged $100-million over seven years to support efforts to improve American public education. The New York philanthropic fund said the money will go to “reformers whose visions of a just and fair public-schooling system can galvanize all the players — parents, students, teachers, and community leaders, as well as scholars and policy experts.”

Full text article by Ian Wilhelm is available via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 11/4/09.

ACORN Losing Funding From Big Foundations

In the wake of a series of embarrassing allegations, political-organizing group ACORN has lost the support of major funders, including the Ford Foundation, the Annie E. Case Foundation and Bank of America. Videos of ACORN employees providing questionable advice surfaced recently, and the group is accused of financial mismanagement and fraud.

Full-text post by Susan Kinzie is available via The Washington Post, 10/3/09.

Recession taking a toll on philanthropy, too

We may be hearing lots of gloomy news about how companies in the auto and other industries have downsized or gone bankrupt in the United States, but one of the less publicised aspects of the impact of the economic recession is how it has affected non-profit foundations and museums in America.

Full text post is available via The Nation, 8.23.09.

Ford Foundation Chief Outlines Grant Maker's Overhaul

The Ford Foundation will streamline its sprawling operations and seek to more effectively demonstrate its influence under a two-year overhaul started by its new leader, Luis A. Ubiñas.

Full-text article by Stephanie Strom is available via The New York Times, 4.13.09.