Some 100 days ago, I began my tenure as the Ford Foundation’s 11th president, the thrill and privilege of my life. The weeks that followed have exceeded my highest expectations.

I’ve been overwhelmed by the warm welcome to the foundation and to philanthropy. Every second I have spent with our staff has given me sustenance. And I cannot overstate the joy of experiencing Ford’s work up close, meeting with the courageous, pragmatic visionaries working on the frontlines around the world.

Everywhere I go, I see determination and resolve, open minds and steady hands. Our people, our partners, and our grantees share an unflinching commitment to the values that have long guided this foundation. I’m honored to join in the fight. My heart is full.

For 90 years and counting, advancing “the ideals and principles of democracy”—promoting dignity for all—has been Ford’s purpose. This work matters more than ever. 

During the McCarthy era, Ford protected free expression and dissent against a relentless assault. During the 1960s and beyond, we provided crucial support for the civil rights movement. During the decades since, we helped build the backbone of public interest law, public media, human rights work, and far beyond.

Today, the rule of law and democracy itself face urgent, even existential tests. This is a battle that can be won. It must be won. And the Ford Foundation is once again on the field, working to protect these essential commitments without fear or favor.

To be sure, it’s easy to be buffeted at a time like this, when spurious attacks on our sector have become routine. It’s just as easy to forget that our grantees face far greater challenges than we do.

Nonetheless, we will do everything we can to meet this moment, in concert with our peers and partners across the sector, while stewarding our resources to ensure they achieve the greatest impact.

We will push ourselves to think creatively and expansively, and work with people across the ideological spectrum. We will make hard but strategic choices to ensure our effectiveness. We will continue to look toward the horizon and help our partners imagine what comes next.

Globally, the foundation’s role carries renewed importance—and so, in recent weeks, I traveled to Lagos and then Nairobi to engage directly with our staff and partners in two of our regions, West and then East Africa. Our team is addressing serious challenges with pragmatism, professionalism, and unfailing optimism. Their resilience and kindness energized but did not surprise. I’m excited to visit more of our regional offices this year.

Here in the United States, our staff is pushing forward our current work, while moving heaven and earth to support the nonpartisan, non-ideological organizations that are protecting the rule of law and ensuring our elections are free and fair. We continue to support efforts that strengthen opportunity in the heartland, support veterans and their families, and remove the economic barriers that limit full participation in our democracy.

The 90th anniversary of our founding in Detroit comes at a moment of challenge and change, but also a moment of hope. Our predecessors always met uncertainty with an intrepid spirit.

We will do the same—carrying forward our proud legacy, while daring to dream a new democracy into existence.

With my deepest thanks for this new beginning,

Heather K. Gerken