Ford Foundation, Nonprofit organization in Manhattan, New York City, US
The Ford Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Manhattan, New York City, dedicated to social justice initiatives around the world. Its glass and steel building on East 43rd Street houses offices, a publicly accessible atrium, and exhibition spaces that showcase contemporary artworks.
Edsel Ford established this organization in 1936 with initial funding, beginning as a local charity in Michigan. After his death in 1943 and that of his father Henry Ford in 1947, inheritances expanded the endowment considerably, allowing work to grow into global projects.
The foundation's art gallery exhibits contemporary works that address social issues, featuring rotating exhibitions open to the public throughout the year.
The atrium and gallery are open Tuesday through Saturday without admission fees, offering a quiet retreat in the middle of Midtown Manhattan with greenery inside. The spaces are located at ground level and accessible for wheelchair users without barriers, making visits straightforward.
The building itself, designed by Kevin Roche, earned recognition for its twelve-story atrium filled with more than 160 trees, creating an indoor park in the middle of an office district. This green space serves as a public oasis where visitors can sit on benches while daylight streams through the glass facade.
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