Willa Ford funds organizations working to reduce inequality through large, flexible, multi-year grants and capacity-building support, with a particular focus on Detroit/Michigan and selected national and regional (Heartland) initiatives. The funder supports arts and culture, children and family services, higher education and scholarship, human services, health research, and environmental conservation — often prioritizing organizational strengthening, gender and racial justice, and community-rooted programs. Grants range from small community 'good neighbor' awards up to substantial institutional grants and capital support, with several targeted programs for technical assistance and operating support.
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Provides a mix of unrestricted and flexible multi-year grants (large institutional awards and smaller community 'good neighbor' grants), technical-assistance funding, and occasional capital or program grants; emphasizes pre-contact for larger requests and prioritizes established organizations with potential to scale impact in Detroit, the U.S. Heartland, and select urban areas.
Contact foundation staff before submitting large or capital requests; emphasize organizational sustainability and measurable capacity-building plans; request flexible, unrestricted support when possible and show deep community ties in Detroit/Heartland or alignment with gender/racial justice and conservation priorities.
Current and upcoming funding from Willa Ford that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations in Oregon or Siskiyou County whose projects align with the foundation's priorities; applicants requesting >$20,000 should contact foundation staff before applying.
Who can apply: Organizations or community groups based in Oregon or Siskiyou County; follow The Ford Family Foundation's local eligibility guidance.
Who can apply: Typically for organizations with annual budgets under $1,000,000 (exceptions possible); requires scope of work, budget, and usually a 10% cash match.
Who can apply: Primary work located in NYC boroughs; 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsor; accountable to and responsive to community; typically not current Ford grantees elsewhere (per program guidelines).
Deadline: Occurs on a fixed cycle; previous cycles had application windows in late summer/early fall (check program page for current cycle).
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.