Gertrude C. Ford Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3.7M
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Up to 90 days
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $2,000,000 (typical grant ~$10,000)
• Geographic Focus: Mississippi only

Contact Details

• Website: www.gertrudecford.com
• Phone: (601) 790-9491
• Grant Questions: matthew.hartzog@gertrudecford.com
• Address: 199 Charmant Place, Ridgeland, MS 39157

Overview

Established in 1998 following the death of Gertrude Castellow Ford, the Gertrude C. Ford Foundation is a private independent foundation with assets of approximately $44.7 million and annual giving of $3.7 million (2023). The foundation's mission is to support religious, charitable, scientific, literary, and educational activities, as well as the humane treatment of animals, exclusively within Mississippi.

The foundation maintains a deliberately low profile and has restricted public information about grantees since 2017. Its 990 filings reveal a strong preference for multi-year institutional partnerships, particularly with the University of Mississippi, to which it has contributed over $67 million historically. President Stephen Sims notes that the founder "valued anything and everything about education and young people."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Major Institutional Grants: $500,000 - $25,000,000+ (multi-year commitments to universities and hospitals)
• Standard Project Grants: ~$10,000 (most common award size)
• Small Grants: $5,000 - $50,000

Application method: Online portal, rolling basis, no fixed deadlines

Priority Areas

• Education (66% of giving) - Higher education institutions, youth programs
• Health (7% of giving) - Hospitals and medical research
• Environment (5% of giving)
• Arts and Culture - Literary programs, performing arts
• Children and Youth Services
• Human Services
• Religion
• Animal Welfare

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations outside Mississippi
• More than one request per organization per year
• Grassroots or early-stage organizations (based on giving patterns)
• Organizations without 501(c)(3) status

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

• Stephen Sims - President, emphasizes the founder's passion for education and literature
• John Lewis - Board member
• Gayle M. Papa - Board member

Key Staff:

• Matthew Hartzog - Primary contact for grant questions

Stephen Sims on a recent $500,000 literary grant: "This appealed to the Ford Foundation because Gertrude Ford had a strong interest in many literary works and was an author herself."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Submit online at www.gertrudecford.com/requests. All requests must be submitted through the website - mailed and emailed requests will not be considered.

Special Routes:

• University of Mississippi requests: Through Charlotte Parks, UM Foundation
• UMMC requests: Through Meredith Aldridge, Office of Development

Decision Timeline

• Board review within 90 days of submission
• Notification via email or postal mail
• December submissions reviewed in January

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may submit one request per year

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and stated preferences:

• Mississippi focus is mandatory - Must demonstrate direct benefit to Mississippi communities, particularly Jackson, Pearl, Ridgeland, and Utica
• Educational impact resonates strongly - 66% of grants support education; frame proposals accordingly
• Institutional credibility matters - Foundation favors established organizations that can manage large, multi-year commitments
• Honor the founder's interests - Gertrude Ford was an author; literary and educational themes align with her legacy
• Complete documentation required - Include all required documents: 501(c)(3) letter, budgets, project timeline
• Post-grant reporting expected - Organizations must document project success

The foundation explicitly states it does not schedule meetings to help organizations write requests.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Mississippi-only funding - No exceptions to geographic requirement
• One application per year - Plan grant calendar accordingly with 90-day decision timeline
• Education dominates - Two-thirds of giving supports educational initiatives
• Established institutions preferred - Small organizations should target modest grants ($5,000-$50,000)
• Literary and youth focus - Proposals aligned with founder's passions (literature, education, young people) have strategic advantage
• No pre-application meetings - Submit application first; meetings at board discretion only
• Multi-year partnerships possible - Foundation has history of long-term institutional support

References

• Gertrude C. Ford Foundation Official Website: www.gertrudecford.com (accessed February 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990 Data: projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/640804548 (accessed February 2026)
• Inside Philanthropy - Funder Profile: www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/mississippi-grants/gertrude-c-ford-foundation (accessed February 2026)
• University of Mississippi Medical Center - Campaign Announcement: umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2022/06/Campaign-100M-Goal.html (accessed February 2026)
• The Daily Mississippian - Ford Center Anniversary: thedmonline.com/twenty-years-of-the-gertrude-c-ford-center-stories-of-the-past/ (accessed February 2026)