The president of the Ford Foundation, a prominent global social justice philanthropy, spearheaded a significant shift in the organization’s grantmaking strategy. This new direction emphasizes tackling inequality as the root cause of social problems, moving away from traditional, siloed approaches to grantmaking and embracing a more holistic, interconnected framework. This strategic reorientation involves supporting social movements, promoting civic engagement, and investing in narrative change strategies alongside traditional grantmaking.
This strategic realignment has had a substantial impact on the philanthropic landscape. It has encouraged other foundations to adopt a similar focus on inequality and systems change, fostering collaboration and amplifying impact. Historically, philanthropy has often addressed social issues in a fragmented manner. The new approach seeks to understand and address the interconnectedness of these issues by working across sectors and supporting long-term solutions. This approach is considered vital in tackling complex challenges like poverty, racial injustice, and climate change effectively.
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