What inequality looks like

The American experiment is rooted in the ideals of equal justice and opportunity for all. At its best, the country has redressed historical injustices while incorporating newcomers into a dynamic and innovative society, promoting shared prosperity, and serving as a model and beacon for other nations. But current levels of inequality—the highest among advanced economies—threaten to undermine that promise and undercut economic growth.

Over the past generation, political, social, and economic systems too often have worked on behalf of the most privileged, failing to be responsive and inclusive. The notion of a strong social contract between people and their government, workers and their employers, and society and its youth has eroded significantly—with regressive fiscal and social policies placing higher burdens on the poor and failing to promote the common good. Meanwhile, an extremely high incarceration rate, and the barriers, often lifelong, to civic and economic participation for those who enter the criminal justice system, have powerful and compounding effects—imposing severe costs on families, communities, and taxpayers across the country.

This extreme inequality is unsustainable, and it is inconsistent with American values. It is not, however, inevitable.

Challenging inequity to advance justice

As we come to grips with the ways that inequality harms us all, we are in a period when the demographic makeup of the United States is rapidly changing. In the coming decades, no single racial or ethnic group will constitute a majority. While this has amplified long-standing racial anxieties, it has also bolstered hopes for broader inclusion at a time when the economy is demanding new skills, business models, and supports for workers and families. Huge advances in technology are further shaping and fueling change.

These trends give the nation an unprecedented opportunity to challenge inequality in new ways. We need to strengthen education and other systems that act as equalizing institutions—but also reform systems that are perpetuating inequality. By helping to build and reinforce positive public narratives, we can contribute to making inclusion and fairness essential ingredients of the evolving national story. When appropriate, we can focus our efforts in places where we are more likely to generate critical momentum, influence policy and the national conversation, and demonstrate replicable models for change.

By supporting our partners in the field, we will help to build a social justice infrastructure that is networked, collaborative, and durable. A core element of this is strengthening the leadership of young people, women, immigrants, and people of color as contributors to problem solving. But our approach will also include supporting movements that are connecting and engaging people across issues and identities—transcending differences in race, gender, political party, class, or citizenship to better reflect the shared hopes and realities of a changing society. Finally, we are in a position to help reimagine the practice of philanthropy, ensuring that our sector adapts to the needs of a changing nation.

Working with a broad array of partners, we can contribute to turning the tide on inequality—and help build a stronger and more inclusive America.

Our programs


Grant makers in the United States

Portrait of Monica Aleman.

Monica Aleman

International Program Director, Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Justice New York, USA
Portrait of Micaela Allen

Micaela Allen

Program Assistant, U.S. Disability Rights New York, USA
Portrait of Mehwish Ansari

Mehwish Ansari

Program Officer, Technology and Society New York, USA
Portrait of Rocio Aranda-Alvarado.

Rocío Aranda-Alvarado

Senior Program Officer, Creativity and Free Expression New York, USA
Portrait of Luc Athayde-Rizzaro

Luc Athayde-Rizzaro

Grantmaking effectiveness officer, Strategy and Learning New York, USA
Portrait of Anthony Bebbington

Anthony Bebbington

International Program Director, Natural Resources and Climate Change New York, USA
Portrait of Carly Benkov

Carly Benkov

Senior Grants Manager, Philanthropy New York, USA
Portrait of Giselle Blanco-Santana

Giselle Blanco-Santana

Program Associate, Office of the President New York, USA
Portrait of Salih Booker

Salih Booker

Senior Program Officer, International Cooperation New York, USA
Portrait of Lolly Bowean

Lolly Bowean

Program Officer, Creativity and Free Expression New York, USA
Portrait of Margot Brandenburg.

Margot Brandenburg

Senior Program Officer, Mission Investments New York, USA
Portrait of Michael Brennan.

Michael Brennan

Senior Program Officer, Technology and Society New York, USA
Rebecca Cokley, Program Manager, President’s Office

Rebecca Cokley

Program Officer, U.S. Disability Rights New York, USA
Portrait of Jean Cook.

Jean Cook

Director of the Office of the Vice President, US Programs New York, USA
Portrait of Kevin Currey.

Kevin Currey

Program Officer, Natural Resources and Climate Change New York, USA
Portrait of George Davis

George Davis

Program Officer, Building Institutions and Networks (BUILD) New York, USA
Portrait of Kate Dildy

Kate Dildy

Program Associate, Technology and Society New York, USA
Portrait of Iva Dobichina

Iva Dobichina

Senior Program Officer, Civic Engagement and Government International New York, USA
Portrait of Victoria Dunning.

Victoria Dunning

Senior Program Officer, Building Institutions and Networks (BUILD) New York, USA
Portrait of Ritse Erumi

Ritse Erumi

Program Officer, Future of Work(ers) New York, USA
Portrait of Miriam Flores Weiss

Miriam Flores Weiss

Program Assistant, Natural Resources and Climate Change New York, USA
Portrait of Sabrina Fong

Sabrina Fong

Program Officer, Civic Engagement and Government New York, USA
Portrait of James Gallagher

Jim Gallagher

Director, Grants Management New York, USA
Portrait of José García.

José García

Director, Future of Work(ers) New York, USA
Portrait of Jon-Sesrie Goff

Jon-Sesrie Goff

Program Officer, Creativity and Free Expression New York, USA
©Adria Goodson, New York, 2020, Ford Foundation.

Adria Goodson

Director, Global Fellowship Program New York, USA
Portrait of Kiara Grant

Kiara Grant

Program Assistant, Civic Engagement and Government and JustFilms New York, USA
Portrait of Saba Gvetadze

Saba Gvetadze

Program Assistant, Future of Work(ers) New York, USA
Photo of Lane Harwell

Lane Harwell

Senior Program Officer, Creativity and Free Expression New York, USA
Portrait of Silvia Henriquez

Silvia Henriquez

Program Officer, Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Justice New York, USA
Portrait of Dionaris Henriquez

Dionaris Henriquez

Program Assistant, Mission Investments New York, USA
Portrait of Jeffrey Hernandez

Jeffrey Hernandez

Grants Manager, Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Justice New York, USA
Portrait of Noorain Khan.

Noorain Khan

Director, President's Office New York, USA
Portrait of Anita Khashu

Anita Khashu

Director, Gender, Racial and Ethnic Justice New York, USA
Portrait of Livia Lam

Livia Lam

Program Officer, Future of Work(ers) New York, USA
Portrait of Eric Li

Eric Li

Data Governance Manager, Strategy and Learning New York, USA
Portrait of Christine Looney.

Christine Looney

Deputy Director, Mission Investments New York, USA
Portrait of Sanyu Lukwago

Sanyu Lukwago

Program Assistant, Technology and Society New York, USA
Portrait of Subarna Mathes

Subarna Mathes

Strategy and Evaluation Officer, Strategy and Learning New York, USA
Portrait of Lori McGlinchey.

Lori McGlinchey

Director, Technology and Society New York, USA
Portrait of Rosalie Mistades

Rosalie Mistades

Grants Manager, Creativity and Free Expression New York, USA
Matt Mitchell, New York, 2019 ©Ford Foundation.

Matt Mitchell

Senior Cybersecurity Program Manager, Technology and Society New York, USA
Juliet Mureriwa - Image

Juliet Mureriwa

Senior Program Officer, Office of the President New York, USA
Portrait of Gauri Nagpal

Gauri Nagpal

Program Associate, Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Justice International New York, USA
Watermarked Ford Foundation logo against a sand colored background.

Matthew Nguyen

Technology Fellow, Civic Engagement and Government New York, USA
Portrait of Marcia Nichoel-Polycarpe.

Marcia Nichoel-Polycarpe

Senior Grants Manager, International Programs New York, USA
Portrait of Rowena Nixon.

Rowena Nixon

Senior Grants Manager, Building Institutions and Networks (BUILD) New York, USA
Portrait of Genesis Nunez

Genesis Nuñez

Program Associate, Future of Work(ers) New York, USA
Portrait of Anil Oommen.

Anil V. Oommen

Grants Manager, Mission Investments New York, USA
Portrait of Gerald Pambo-Awich

Gerald Pambo-Awich

Investment Officer, Mission Investments New York, USA
Portrait of Hannah Park

Hannah Park

Program Assistant, Technology and Society New York, USA
Portrait of Bryttnee Parris

Bryttnee Parris

Grants Manager, Future of Work(ers) New York, USA
Portrait of Kathy Reich.

Kathy Reich

Director, Building Institutions and Networks (BUILD) New York, USA
Portrait of Iracel Rivero

Iracel Rivero

Grants Manager, Creativity and Free Expression New York, USA
Photo of david rogers.

David Rogers

Program Officer, Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Justice New York, USA
Portrait of Bess Rothenberg.

Bess Rothenberg

Senior Director, Strategy and Learning New York, USA
Portrait of Kevin Ryan.

Kevin Ryan

Senior Program Officer, Civic Engagement & Government New York, USA
Otto Saki - Image

Otto Saki

Program Officer, Civic Engagement and Government International New York, USA
Portrait of Narwan Seraj

Narwan Seraj

Grants Manager, Future of Work(ers) New York, USA
Michelle Shevin - Image

Michelle Shevin

Senior Program Manager, Technology and Society New York, USA
Portrait of Maritza Silva-Farrell

Maritza Silva-Farrell

Program Officer, Future of Work(ers) New York, USA
Portrait of Kelsey Simmons

Kelsey Simmons

Evaluation and Learning Officer, Strategy and Learning New York, USA
Portrait of Erin Simpson

Erin Simpson

Program Officer, Technology and Society New York, USA
Portrait of Casey Stafford.

Casey Stafford

Grants Manager, Civic Engagement and Government New York, USA
Portrait of Max Steele

Max Steele

Grants Manager, Civic Engagement and Government New York, USA
Portrait of Hanna Stubblefield-Tave

Hanna Stubblefield-Tave

Program Assistant, Creativity and Free Expression New York, USA
Portrait of Roy Swan.

Roy Swan

Director, Mission Investments New York, USA
Portrait of Lena Sze.

Lena Sze

Program Associate, Creativity and Free Expression New York, USA
Portrait of Gaylord Tang

Gaylord Tang

Program Assistant, Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Justice New York, USA
Portrait of Jenny Toomey.

Jenny Toomey

Director, Ford Foundation Catalyst Fund New York, USA
Portrait of Rei Tran

Rei Tran

Technology Fellow, Mission Investments New York, USA
Portrait of Javier H. Valdés

Javier Valdés

Director, Civic Engagement and Government New York, USA
Portrait of Rosaury Valenzuela

Rosaury Valenzuela

Program Assistant, Building Institutions and Networks (BUILD) New York, USA
Portrait of Josiah Vasquez

Josiah Vasquez

Program Assistant, Civic Engagement and Government International and Gender Racial and Ethnic Justice International New York, USA
Portrait of Marisa Viana da Silva

Marisa Viana da Silva

Program Officer, Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Justice International New York, USA
Watermarked Ford Foundation logo against a sand colored background.

Josh Wallack

Program Officer, Civic Engagement & Government New York, USA
Portrait of Megan Thompson.

Megan Walsh Thompson

Mission Investments Officer, Mission Investments New York, USA
Portrait of Libby Wann.

Libby Wann

Program Manager, Ford Global Fellows New York, USA
Portrait of Ximena Warnaars.

Ximena Warnaars

Program Officer, Natural Resources and Climate Change New York, USA
Portrait of Radha Wickremasinghe

Radha Wickremasinghe

Program Officer, Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Justice International New York, USA
Portrait of Ebony Wilkinson

Ebony Wilkinson

Program Associate, Civic Engagement and Government New York, USA
Portrait of Chance Williams.

Chancellar Williams

Program Officer, Technology and Society New York, USA
Portrait of Erika Wood.

Erika L. Wood

Senior Program Officer, Civic Engagement and Government New York, USA
Portrait of Chi-Hui Yang.

Chi-hui Yang

Director, Creativity and Free Expression New York, USA
Portrait of Danica Yu

Danica Yu

Technology Fellow, Future of Work(ers) New York, USA
Portrait of Dizzy Zaba

Dizzy Zaba

Technology Fellow, Civic Engagement and Government New York, USA
Portrait of Shireen Zaman

Shireen Zaman

Program Officer, Building Institutions and Networks (BUILD) New York, USA