History

A global foundation

The Ford Foundation’s commitment to mutual understanding between China and the United States began in the 1960s, with support for the development of the field of Chinese studies in the United States. In 1979, with the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and the US, we began a program of direct funding for academic and professional exchanges between institutions in China and their counterparts in the US. In 1988, the foundation opened its office in Beijing with the support of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.

Aligned with China’s policy of “opening up and reform,” the foundation worked with Chinese academic institutions to strengthen the disciplines of international relations, economics, and law beginning in the mid-1980s. As needs and priorities identified by Chinese partners evolved, we added two programs in 1989 and 1990, in environment and development and in reproductive health. Our work in the field of education was introduced in 2001. Growing from these roots, our efforts now focus on supporting innovative institutions and individuals to work for a society that is more inclusive and harmonious. We also seek to share best practices with China’s emerging indigenous philanthropy sector to mobilize more resources in the service of social development.

In support of this work and consistent with Chinese priorities, as of 2015 the Ford Foundation has made grants totaling more than $356 million in China. Decisions pertaining to grantmaking in China are made by Elizabeth Knup, who leads the foundation’s work in China from our office in Beijing.

The Ford Foundation

The Ford Foundation was established in 1936, with an initial gift of $25,000 from Edsel Ford, whose father, Henry, founded the Ford Motor Company. When Edsel and Henry died in the mid-1940s, they left an additional $250,000 worth of Ford Motor stock to the foundation—creating the largest philanthropy in the world. Through prudent investment, this original endowment has grown to some $16 billion today. We have not raised any additional funds since the 1940s.

From 1936 to 1974, the foundation operated in Michigan under the leadership of Ford family members, using foundation resources for "scientific, educational and charitable purposes, all for the public welfare.” By 1974, the foundation had sold all its Ford Motor Company stock and no Ford family members were affiliated with the foundation. Since then, the foundation has been an independent, private organization.

In the 1940s the foundation commissioned a group of advisers to help determine how it could best serve society. The findings were published in 1950, in what became known as the Gaither Report. The report recommended that Ford become a worldwide philanthropy focused on solving humankind’s most pressing problems across multiple fields. In 1952, the foundation opened an office in India—its first outside the US. The following year, Ford moved its headquarters to New York City, a strategic location for the expanded international work. Over the next several decades, the foundation opened offices in many countries around the world. Today, we have offices in 10 countries, including the United States.

全球性基金会

从20世纪60年代开始，福特基金会即致力于促进中美之间的相互理解，当时支持在美国开展中国研究。1979年，随着中美外交关系正常化，基金会开始直接资助中美机构间的学术和专业交流。1988年，经中华人民共和国国务院批准，福特基金会在北京设立办事处。

从20世纪80年代中期开始，福特基金会积极支持中国的改革开放，与中国学术机构携手，促进中国在国际关系、经济学和法学等领域的发展。随着中国合作方需求和重点的变化，基金会于1989年和1990年分别增加了“环境与发展”和“生殖健康”两个工作领域。2001年我们开始关注教育。我们以这些领域为基础，不断拓展。现在，我们致力于支持创新性机构和个人，为建立更加包容和谐的社会作出努力。我们还致力于与中国本土涌现出的慈善机构分享好的做法，以调动更多资源，服务于社会发展。

为了支持适合中国的重点项目，截至2014年底，福特基金会在中国的资助总额超过3.56亿美元。基金会北京办事处现任首席代表高倩倩女士（Elizabeth Knup）负责基金会在中国的资助决策事宜。

福特基金会

福特基金会成立于1936年，首笔2.5万美元的捐赠来自于福特汽车公司创始人亨利·福特之子埃德塞尔·福特(Edsel Ford)。福特父子于20世纪40年代中期相继去世时，给基金会另外留下了价值25万美元的福特汽车股票，使之成为世界上最大的慈善机构。通过谨慎投资，最初的捐款已增值到如今的160亿美元。从20世纪40年代开始，我们再没有筹措任何其它款项。

1936年到1974年间，在福特家族成员的领导下，基金会在美国密歇根州运作，利用基金会资源，致力于“科学、教育和慈善事业，立足改善公众福祉”。截至1974年，基金会将福特汽车公司的股份全部卖出，福特家族成员也不再参与基金会工作。从此，基金会成为独立的民间组织。

在20世纪40年代，福特基金会委托顾问团帮助其确定如何更好地服务于社会。顾问团的调查结果于1950年出版，即人所共知的“盖瑟报告”(Gaither Report)。报告建议福特基金会成为全球性慈善机构，重点解决人类跨多个领域亟待解决的问题。1952年，基金会成立了美国本土之外的第一家办事处——印度办事处。次年，福特基金会将总部迁往纽约市，为拓展国际工作占据了战略位置。在之后的几十年里，基金会在很多国家开设办事处。今天，基金会的办事处分布在包括美国在内的10个国家。