Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core to our mission of tackling inequality. Before we can build a more just future, we recognize we must establish a workforce that reflects the world we live in and hope to create. We are dedicated to building a foundation grounded in respect and dignity where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

Since 2015, we have taken action to embed the values of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) throughout the foundation’s culture, systems, and practices.

We have strengthened our ability to recruit and retain exemplary diverse staff and leadership. We have undertaken reviews and audits of pay, policies, practices, and procedures to support our values and enable our employees to do their best work. We have established more than 10 employee-led resource groups to enable team members from different levels and departments to speak freely, build community, learn together and deepen our collective equity and inclusion practices. We continue to fund organizations and work with partners that share our values and commitment to DEI. And we are working to ensure our building meets the highest standards of openness, accessibility and sustainability.

While we have more work to do, we’re seeing results. Below is a snapshot of Ford’s diverse workforce pulled from our annual report on diversity, equity and inclusion.

2021 Results

Trustees

54%

People of color

 

Executive Leadership

78%

People of color

 

Directors

47%

People of color

 

Promotions

70%

People of color

 

Trustees

54%

Women

 

Executive Leadership

67%

Women

 

Directors

54%

Women

 

Promotions

70%

Women

 

Data as of December 2020. Representation of people of color reported for US staff only.

What is the Ford Foundation Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Report?

Every year, we undertake a foundation-wide analysis of our ongoing efforts to build a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable future, both internally and externally. The purpose of this report is to articulate our approach, share our progress, and acknowledge our opportunities for learning and growth.

Download PDF Report (7MB)

For our report, we participated in a survey of DEI practices conducted by The Croner Company that looks at 33 large foundations with assets greater than $2 billion, 16 of which submitted data.

The Ford Foundation, by gender

All Staff

  Female Male Undeclared
Croner 68% 32%  
2020 64% 36% 0.47%
2019 62% 38%  
2018 60% 40%  
2017 58% 42%  
2016 58% 42%  

Trustees

  Female Male
Croner 43% 57%
2020 54% 46%
2019 50% 50%
2018 50% 50%
2017 50% 50%
2016 45% 55%

Executive Leadership Team

  Female Male
Croner 50% 50%
2020 67% 33%
2019 65% 35%
2018 22% 78%
2017 22% 78%
2016 22% 78%

Directors

  Female Male
Croner 61% 39%
2020 54% 46%
2019 56% 44%
2018 53% 47%
2017 53% 47%
2016 61% 39%

Program Officers

  Female Male
Croner 70% 30%
2020 65% 35%
2019 64% 36%
2018 66% 34%
2017 66% 34%
2016 61% 39%

The Ford Foundation, by Race and Ethnicity

Data reported for US staff only

All Staff

  White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino Two or More Races Native Hawaiian, Other Pacific Islander Native American or Alaska Native
Croner 57% 13% 14% 11% 4% 0% 0%
2020 42% 23% 20% 11% 4% 0% 0%
2019 43% 20% 21% 11% 4% 0% 1%
2018 46% 18% 18% 12% 5% 0% 1%
2017 47% 18% 18% 13% 3% 0% 1%
2016 47% 18% 19% 12% 4% 0% 0%

Executive Leadership Team

  White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino Two or More Races Native Hawaiian, Other Pacific Islander Native American or Alaska Native
Croner 64% 14% 14% 6% 3% 0% 0%
2020 23% 45% 23% 9% 0% 0% 0%
2019 29% 29% 29% 13% 0% 0% 0%
2018 67% 11% 0% 11% 11% 0% 0%
2017 67% 11% 0% 11% 11% 0% 0%
2016 67% 11% 0% 11% 11% 0% 0%

Directors

  White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino Two or More Races Native Hawaiian, Other Pacific Islander Native American or Alaska Native
Croner 61% 13% 12% 9% 4% 2% 0%
2020 53% 19% 23% 5% 0% 0% 0%
2019 54% 16% 24% 4% 2% 0% 0%
2018 51% 30% 15% 4% 0% 0% 0%
2017 55% 24% 18% 3% 0% 0% 0%
2016 53% 26% 18% 3% 0% 0% 0%

Program Officers

  White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino Two or More Races Native Hawaiian, Other Pacific Islander Native American or Alaska Native
Croner 52% 17% 13% 12% 4% 1% 1%
2020 35% 26% 13% 23% 3% 0% 0%
2019 32% 20% 16% 22% 6% 4% 0%
2018 32% 10% 15% 28% 10% 5% 0%
2017 30% 20% 16% 22% 6% 4% 0%
Croner 58% 14% 13% 12% 3% 0% 0%

Operations Managers

  White Black or African American Asian Hispanic or Latino Two or More Races Native Hawaiian, Other Pacific Islander Native American or Alaska Native
Croner 62% 6% 14% 14% 3% 0% 0%
2020 45% 15% 30% 5% 5% 0% 0%
2019 45% 15% 30% 5% 5% 0% 0%
2018 63% 4% 25% 4% 4% 0% 0%
2017 64% 8% 24% 4% 0% 0% 0%
2016 65% 5% 22% 8% 0% 0% 0%

More on our DEI efforts