The Ford Foundation is an independent, nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that is a resource for innovative people and institutions. The foundation s goals are to: strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation and advance human achievement. The Ford Foundation was founded in 1936 and expanded in 1950 to become a national and international foundation. It encourages initiatives to promote collaboration among the nonprofit, government and business sectors, and to ensure participation by men and women from diverse communities and at all levels of society. The trustees of the foundation set policy and delegate authority to the president and senior staff for the foundation s grantmaking and operations. Program officers in the United States, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and Russia explore opportunities to pursue the foundation s goals, formulate strategies and recommend proposals for funding. The foundation is based in New York, N.Y.