Around the world, billions of people are excluded from full participation in the political, economic, and cultural systems that shape their lives. When so many lack access to engage with their government and influence the decisions that affect their lives, policies fail to address their needs, favoring instead those with power and resources and deepening inequality.

Governments have the potential to remedy or reinforce inequality. History makes clear that people—when they have the ability to organize, speak up, and engage—have the potential to hold their leaders and institutions accountable, pushing them to fulfill their promise to serve the common good.

We believe that meaningful civic engagement is an antidote to inequality, with rich potential to empower underrepresented and marginalized communities that have too often been excluded. Across the globe, we work to protect and help civic spaces thrive to ensure all people have the opportunity to raise their voices, influence decisions, and hold governments to account.

Learn about our work in the United States

Learn about our work Internationally

Program staff in Civic Engagement and Government

Portrait of Javier H. Valdés

Javier Valdés

Director, Civic Engagement and Government New York, USA
Portrait of Iva Dobichina

Iva Dobichina

Senior Program Officer, Civic Engagement and Government International New York, USA
Portrait of Sabrina Fong

Sabrina Fong

Program Officer, Civic Engagement and Government New York, USA
Portrait of Kiara Grant

Kiara Grant

Program Assistant, Civic Engagement and Government and JustFilms New York, USA
Portrait of Helena Hofbauer

Helena Hofbauer Balmori

International Program Director, Civic Engagement and Government; Director, Mexico and Central America Mexico City, Mexico
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 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 Tania Sanche

Tania Sánchez Andrade

Program Associate, Civic Engagement and Government Mexico City, Mexico
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 Josiah Vasquez

Josiah Vasquez

Program Assistant, Civic Engagement and Government International and 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 Ebony Wilkinson

Ebony Wilkinson

Program Associate, Civic Engagement and Government New York, USA
Portrait of Erika Wood.

Erika L. Wood

Senior Program Officer, Civic Engagement and Government New York, USA
Portrait of Dizzy Zaba

Dizzy Zaba

Technology Fellow, Civic Engagement and Government New York, USA