Ford Family Foundation Good Neighbor Grants

The Ford Family Foundation offers Good Neighbor grants to support meaningful community-based projects that align with local needs and organizational capacity. These grants reflect the Foundation’s philosophy that good neighbors help, support, and uplift one another. Funding is available for both programmatic and capital needs, providing flexibility to address unforeseen emergencies as well as long-term initiatives that benefit rural communities. Eligible applicants may request up to one-third of the total cost for program or operations funding and up to 50 percent for capital projects. All applications must demonstrate at least 25 percent of committed funding before applying, and while in-kind support may contribute toward this threshold, the strongest proposals include commitments from other funders. The Foundation places a high value on community involvement and expects clear evidence of local engagement and participation where services will be delivered. Applications must present a clear sustainability plan for the proposed project, ensuring that the efforts continue to benefit the community beyond the grant period. Grantees can expect a response within six to ten weeks of submission. The grant amount is up to $25,000, with support tailored to each organization’s capacity and community context. These grants are part of the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to foster resilience and responsiveness in rural Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, governmental agencies, and tribal nations serving rural populations—defined as communities with fewer than 35,000 people and located away from metropolitan areas. The Foundation does not fund individuals, discriminatory organizations, or projects focused on debt relief, reserve accounts, or proselytizing. Organizations are encouraged to be current on previous grant reporting and to contact staff if they received funding within the past year. The program maintains a rolling application process, accepting proposals year-round with no set deadline.

Strong applications include committed funding from other sources, detailed sustainability plans, and visible local community support.