Ford Foundation

Making progress on critical issues like climate change, technology or social justice requires debate and compromise. But polarization threatens to get in the way of that progress and increases inequality. Independence Day is a reminder to reflect on our shared values and commit to seeing across differences to create a truly United States. Recently, leaders gathered at the Ford Foundation for Worlds Apart: Lessons on Polarization from Global Leaders, which made clear the risk polarization poses to the United States and the essential work that must continue to safeguard democracy. International leaders shared how working together, across differences, a peaceful, respectful, and pluralistic nation is possible. Learn how we can find common ground through Ford and Institute for Integrated Transitions - IFIT’s Global Initiative on Polarization (https://lnkd.in/dUtsVsdU) and our partnership platform with Economist Impact: The Path to Depolarization (https://lnkd.in/ebSNmUCE). You can explore more about how we can overcome polarization, through essays and videos that will be released over the coming weeks. #OvercomePolarization

If we want to address institutional racism, we must address the root causes of violence and center those most impacted. In a recent #OnWhatMatters conversation, Jamila Hodge of Equal Justice USA and Sarita Gupta of the Ford Foundation discussed community-based violence intervention and the importance of promoting a trauma-informed public health response to violence. Watch the full conversation: https://lnkd.in/ea2EW6PK Learn more about EJUSA at: https://ejusa.org/ 

We’re witnessing the highest ratings in recent history for Women’s basketball, soccer, tennis, and more. But, conversations about equity and pay still need more attention. How can both athletes and fans work to ensure an equitable future for women’s sports? In the latest episode of #IdeasAtFord, Charles Blow speaks with sports icon and champion of equality Billie Jean King and Owner of the NY Liberty, Brooklyn Nets, and Barclays Center, Clara Wu Tsai. Watch the conversation at fordf.org/IdeasAtFord.

We are thrilled to support the third cohort of the Social Science Research Council's Just Tech Fellowship, which provides unrestricted awards for researchers and practitioners imagining radically different tech futures that embrace joy, hope, self-determination, and equity. #JustTech #JustTechFellowship

Comfrey Films is building an ecosystem of independent Black trans, gender-nonconforming, and intersex (TGNCI) creators and storytellers. At the heart of its initiatives is the use of film and archival work to preserve, celebrate, and honor work by past and present Black TGNCI artists. We're excited to continue supporting Comfrey in spotlighting the narratives of a group that has long been silenced in history. #PrideMonth https://lnkd.in/eEKJzrMH

Cyrus Veyssi is an Iranian-American, non-binary beauty influencer known for their radiant skin, vibrant personality, and hilarious takedowns of stereotypical bros and dating advice. But as Veyssi’s following has grown, they’ve also become a target for nasty online comments. When Veyssi received a video comment saying something to the effect of: “You’re Iranian, you’re queer, you’re nonbinary, your parents must be so disappointed in you,” it triggered a lightbulb moment. Since then, some of Veyssi’s most entertaining videos have been hilarious back-and-forths with their father—including ones in which the elder Veyssi claps back at homophobes. “I want to celebrate this, but I also want to be cognizant of the fact that [family rejection] is still very prevalent especially if you’re queer, especially if you’re trans, and have those intersectional identities,” Veyssi said at our #FreeFuture event. So Veyssi frequently offers to share their loving Baba with those who do not have one themselves. You can watch Cyrus Veyssi on stage at our event in partnership with The Meteor, Free Future 2023, in conversation with writer Jessica Valenti and International Women's Media Foundation Executive Director Elisa Lees Munoz in the story below. Enjoy—and happy #PrideMonth! https://lnkd.in/eqtFi_zH

Make It Count: 20 The number to know in social justice this month Sammy Lufty Director of Research, Funders for LGBTQ Issues “Funders for LGBTQ Issues, a Ford grantee, recently released its 20th resource tracking report, which documents all U.S foundations’ funding for LGBTQ communities and causes. We are a network of more than 100 foundations, corporations, and funding institutions that collectively award more than $1 billion annually, with approximately $200 million specifically devoted to LGBTQ issues. By tracking trends and changes over time, we can help shine a light on emerging opportunities for funders and identify where financial support is most needed. One report finding that we're excited about: A total of $48.1 million was awarded to transgender communities in the United States in 2022, which represents a 34% increase from 2021. That same year, more than 6,000 grants were awarded to LGBTQ communities in the U.S., totaling $258.1 million. Still, a lot of these organizations are having to do more with less; in fact, less than 1% of all philanthropic funding goes to LGBTQ nonprofits. Our data shows so many opportunities to assist them, including funding unhoused and marginally housed and older members of the LGBTQ community—an entire generation that was deeply impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. There's a lack of visibility for some of these groups, and by naming them in our report, we're able to make the case for a more thoughtful approach to how we're funding our communities and our causes. We can show that there are tons of opportunities for funders to support the queer community.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/exRAekHD #Pride #PrideMonth

It took time to find her joy—and discover what she was meant to do—but after two decades of feeling like she didn’t fit in, Jordyn Jay is painting her own path in the arts world and creating space for others to join her. https://lnkd.in/eq22y2UN The power of community was central to her Southern upbringing. In her journey to building welcoming spaces in NYC, she founded BTFA Collective, where she prioritized joy and promoted art as a catalyst for change, a stark contrast to the violence against trans folk often portrayed in the media. As Jordyn told us, “I would love for our art to be seen as more than just representative of our identity so it’s not viewed under the lens of Black trans femme art. I’d like it to stand on its own as a gift to the world.” This #PrideMonth, let’s join Jordyn in celebrating the resilience and culture of LGBTQ+ communities everywhere. Learn more about Jordyn Jay and the work of Ford’s grantee partner, BTFA. 📸: Justin F.

#CivicSpace is essential for communities to organize, share ideas, and hold power to account, but this critical space has been contracting across the globe. Labor, the world's largest movement of people, is essential for preserving and expanding civic space. The resilience of waste pickers movements, and the concrete and historic victories they've achieved is an illuminating case study for how workers can claim and protect civic space. This Nonprofit Quarterly op-ed by Ford Foundation's Ghada Abdel Tawab and Otto Saki, and Sally Roever of WIEGO - Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing unpack the role philanthropy can play to support workers movements to ensure civic space flourishes.

Advancing Community-Based Violence Intervention: Jamila Hodge, Sarita Gupta In today's #OnWhatMatters— our conversation series in which Ford Foundation leaders talk to our social justice grantees on the frontlines of change—Sarita Gupta, Ford’s vice president of U.S. programs, interviews Jamila Hodge, CEO of Equal Justice USA, a national organization that works to transform the justice system by promoting responses to violence that break cycles of trauma. Jamila outlines the importance of community-based responses to violence that take a trauma-informed approach and meet people where they are. With the recent declaration by the U.S. surgeon general of gun violence as a public health crisis during #GunViolence Awareness Month, the conversation is especially timely to consider solutions that address the root causes of violence and center those most impacted. #GVAM ##GunViolenceAwarenessMonth Learn more about EJUSA at: https://ejusa.org/