For over 55 years, The Edward E. Ford Foundation has dedicated itself to supporting independent schools across the United States, having awarded over 2,100 grants to more than 800 schools, totaling well over $118 million. Their mission emphasizes the importance of leveraging philanthropic support for independent schools, notably through requiring matching funds in the grant application process, which has generated over $110 million in additional support for NAIS schools.
The Edward E. Ford Foundation offers Traditional Grants for independent schools in the United States, considered during their June and November Advisory Board meetings. These grants are aimed at supporting a wide range of projects and initiatives that school heads believe will significantly benefit their institutions. Eligible schools can apply for grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000, which must be matched by the school on a 1:1 basis, effectively doubling the available support for the proposed projects. This grant program prioritizes the broad goal of enhancing the quality and effectiveness of independent schools through financial support for various needs identified by the school heads themselves.