The Ward Foundation aspires to foster spaces of collaboration among grantees. We look for evidence of proactive collaboration when seeking out partners. The majority of the foundation’s funding goes towards smaller to mid-sized organizations (usually less than $1 million annual budget) that are in intensive phases of growth. The foundation seeks to support "locally-visioned" organizations with leadership that is proximate to the cause it aspires to address. We shy away from organizations with large, distant leadership offices and instead prefer in-country/local executive directors.

The foundation has a strong aversion to organizations with elements of rescue/hero white saviorism. This is evidenced through donor-centric programs like child sponsorships or unskilled voluntourism for service provision. The foundation has no religious affiliation and avoids programs with any overt religious connotations. The foundation avoids large organizations where our financial support is not clearly impactful.

To save time, please talk to us before writing up any formal documents.

As a new foundation, we are still exploring how we can best support our grantees and the general landscape of philanthropy.