Foundation’s values remain solid

Re “Giving, with strings attached,” Opinion, Oct. 21

Scott Sherman gets it wrong. Ford Foundation grantees accept our grant letter not because they abandon their principles but because they understand the letter states Ford’s values on nonviolence and nondiscrimination.

Sherman frets that the grant letter limits free speech. The facts say otherwise. More than 6,000 grantees have signed the letter and continue their work unabated. Universities we fund understand the letter refers to official positions of the institution -- not to classroom discussion or campus speakers. The foundation is a vigorous defender and funder of academic freedom and free speech. We do not, however, fund speech espousing violence, terrorism, bigotry or the destruction of any state.

Sherman repeats the unfounded assertion that the grant letter was foisted on Ford. Untrue. The letter’s authorship remains with the foundation. The ACLU’s Anthony Romero was consulted, however, and his suggestions were adopted.

The courageous work of the people we support speaks for itself. Whether fighting to expand civil rights or creating opportunities for the marginalized, our grantees offer powerful evidence that the Ford Foundation’s values remain unswerving.

Marta L. Tellado

Vice president

Communications

The Ford Foundation

New York