The Ford Foundation has announced a four-year, $20 million commitment to help boost democracy development through USAID’s $145 million Democracy Delivers initiative.

Announced during the 2023 United Nations General Assembly, the philanthropic grants will include support for new, limited engagements in Moldova and Zambia that will focus on civic engagement for democracy, as well as extensions of ongoing work in Tanzania and Nepal that will advance connections between democracy-oriented actors. The commitment includes funding for the foundation’s work to strengthen the pillars of democracy and foster government responsiveness to citizens working across borders to strengthen accountability, participation, and democratic values by fostering engagement between people and their governments.

“We recognize the importance of being nimble and going where we are most needed,” said Ford Foundation president Darren Walker. “I am grateful to join this effort with friends and allies who believe, as Ford does, that right now, there is no greater need—and no greater opportunity—than investing in democracies that deliver a better future for us all.” 

(Photo credit: Getty Images/shironosov)