Ford Foundation President Announces Additional $20 Million Grant to NIF During Jerusalem Visit

September 17, 2007

Presidential Summit: Justice Dorit Beinisch (center right), President of Israel’s Supreme Court, meets  with Ford Foundation President Susan Berresford (center left). In the back row from left to right are Israel Executive Director Eliezer Yaari; NIF Board VP in Israel Neta Ziv; Ford Foundation Deputy Vice President,  Program Management David Chiel; Ford Israel Fund Director Aaron Back; and NIF CEO Larry Garber.

The timing could not have been better. The auditorium in Jerusalem’s “Lab” Theater, packed with the country’s social change leaders, as well as media personalities, academics, politicians and philanthropic fund managers, had gathered to celebrate the 25th anniversary of SHATIL and discuss the future direction of Israel’s social change movement. Guest of honor and keynote speaker, Ford Foundation President Susan Berresford, pointed out that NGOs around the world were always “overwhelmed by demand and under-funded” before making the announcement that the Ford Foundation would be making an additional $20 million grant to NIF.

“We are renewing our $20 million commitment to NIF,” she explained, “because of our confidence in your wonderful enterprise and the work that you do.”

Susan Berresford alongside NIF CEO Larry Garber as she addresses Israel’s social change leaders at a seminar  to mark SHATIL’s 25th anniversary. “I have faith in the people I have seen here today,” she said.  “They have so much energy and collective vision.”

Since the inauguration of the Ford Foundation Israel Fund (FFIF) in October 2003, a partnership between Ford Foundation and NIF, $13 million in grants have been made to 41 organizations in three program areas: Promoting Human Rights, Advancing Equality for Israeli Arab citizens, and Promoting Peace. Now an additional $20 million will be available over the next five years.

Eliezer Yaari, NIF Israel’s Executive Director, described the Ford Foundation’s announcement as “the best possible birthday present for NIF and SHATIL.”  NIF’s CEO Larry Garber commented that the Ford Foundation is a powerful partner, which has helped NIF expand its horizons.  

A graduate of Radcliffe College, Susan Berresford joined Ford Foundation in 1972 as a Project Assistant. Working her way up through the ranks, she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer before being elected President in 1996.  She is currently ranked by Forbes as the world’s 77th most influential woman. In January, Berresford plans to retire after nearly 13 years as President of the Ford Foundation, America’s second largest philanthropic organization.  Luis Ubinas, currently a Director at McKinsey & Co, will succeed her.