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Benson & Edith Ford Fund

Annual Giving
$1.4M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.7M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1.4 million
  • Total Assets: $24 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $700,000
  • Grant Median: $7,800
  • Total Grants (2024): 24 grants
  • Geographic Focus: Michigan, primarily Detroit area

Contact Details

Address: 1901 St Antoine Street, 6th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 259-7777
Contact: David P. Larsen, Secretary
EIN: 38-6066333

Overview

The Benson & Edith Ford Fund was established in 1943 (originally incorporated as the Hotchkiss Fund) and is an independent private foundation based in Detroit, Michigan. Named for Benson Ford (1919-1978), the second son of Edsel and Eleanor Ford, and his wife Edith, the foundation continues the family's long philanthropic legacy in Detroit. With total assets of approximately $24 million and annual grant distributions of $1.4 million, the fund focuses its giving on health, human services, education, arts, and culture within the Michigan community. The foundation is currently led by Lynn Ford Alandt (daughter of Benson and Edith Ford) as President and Benson Ford Jr. as Vice President. The fund maintains a selective grantmaking approach, primarily supporting organizations with which it has established relationships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Benson & Edith Ford Fund operates through trustee-discretion grantmaking without formally designated programs. Grant amounts range significantly based on the nature of the project:

  • Major Scholarships: Up to $700,000 (e.g., College for Creative Studies scholarship fund)
  • Typical Grants: Median of $7,800
  • Range: $1,000 - $700,000

Priority Areas

Based on recent grantmaking patterns, the fund prioritizes:

  • Healthcare: Support for health systems and medical research, particularly Henry Ford Health System and Alzheimer's research
  • Arts and Culture: Museums, performing arts, and cultural institutions (Detroit Institute of Arts, College for Creative Studies)
  • Education: Scholarships and educational programs, including higher education institutions
  • Human Services: Community programs and social services in Detroit
  • Youth Development: Teen programs and skill-building initiatives

What They Don't Fund

  • Grants to individuals (except through scholarship programs administered by educational institutions)
  • Organizations outside of Michigan
  • Organizations not already known to the foundation's substantial contributors

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

  • Lynn F. Alandt - President/Director (daughter of Benson and Edith Ford; member of the Board of Trustees at Henry Ford Health System)
  • Benson Ford Jr. - Vice President/Director (son of Benson and Edith Ford)
  • David P. Larsen - Secretary
  • David M. Hempstead - Director

All officers serve without compensation. The foundation is administered through Bodman PLC, a Detroit law firm, where the foundation maintains its offices.

The Alandt and Ford families continue their father's philanthropic commitment to Detroit. In 1994, Lynn Ford Alandt and her husband, along with Benson Ford Jr., pledged $5 million to establish a Trustees' discretionary fund at Henry Ford Hospital, named the Benson Ford Fund in recognition of Benson Ford's service to the hospital. Benson Ford served as Chairman of the Board of Henry Ford Hospital and was instrumental in securing a $100 million grant from the Ford Foundation for the hospital in 1973.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Benson & Edith Ford Fund does not have a traditional public application process. According to foundation guidelines, "awards are generally limited to charitable organizations already favorably known to and of interest to the substantial contributors of this foundation."

For organizations already known to the fund, the application requirements are:

  • Brief letter describing the proposed project
  • Financial statement
  • Copy of IRS letter determining tax-exempt status (unless already listed in IRS cumulative list)

Applications should be directed to:
David P. Larsen, Secretary
1901 St Antoine Street, 6th Floor
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 259-7777

Decision Timeline

The foundation operates on a discretionary basis without fixed deadlines. Decision timelines vary based on the nature of the request and trustee meeting schedules. The fund reviews applications as received rather than in formal grant cycles.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may submit requests as appropriate, though priority is given to organizations with established relationships with the foundation. There is no publicly stated waiting period for reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Given that the Benson & Edith Ford Fund operates primarily through trustee discretion and established relationships, success factors include:

  • Established Connection: The fund explicitly states that grants are limited to "charitable organizations already favorably known to and of interest to the substantial contributors." New applicants should focus on building relationships with board members or through other Detroit philanthropic networks.

  • Detroit Focus: The fund has deep roots in Detroit and prioritizes organizations serving the Detroit and Michigan communities. Recent recipients include cornerstone Detroit institutions such as the Detroit Institute of Arts, Henry Ford Health System, and College for Creative Studies.

  • Mission Alignment: Organizations working in health, human services, education, arts, and culture are most likely to align with the fund's priorities, reflecting the Ford family's historical philanthropic interests.

  • Long-term Impact: The fund has made substantial multi-year commitments, particularly in scholarship funding (e.g., $700,000 to College for Creative Studies), suggesting preference for sustained impact over one-time projects.

  • Institutional Stability: Recipients tend to be well-established institutions with strong track records in the Detroit area, including major cultural institutions, health systems, and educational organizations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The Benson & Edith Ford Fund operates through trustee discretion and primarily supports organizations already known to the foundation's contributors—unsolicited applications from unknown organizations are unlikely to be successful
  • With a median grant of $7,800 but capacity for much larger grants ($700,000), the fund supports both modest ongoing needs and major capital/scholarship initiatives
  • Detroit-area focus is paramount; the fund continues the Ford family's century-long commitment to strengthening Detroit institutions
  • Priority areas reflect Benson Ford's personal philanthropic interests: health (particularly Henry Ford Health System), arts and culture, education, and community services
  • Building connections through Detroit's philanthropic community and demonstrating established credibility in your sector are essential first steps before approaching this foundation
  • The fund values long-term relationships and sustained impact over one-time projects
  • Organizations seeking support should be prepared to provide concise proposals with clear financial documentation

References

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