Ford Legacy Reimagined: Heir and Impact Investor Joins Foundation Board

NEW YORK, NY – March 03, 2026 – In a move that bridges its storied past with a future centered on innovative finance, the Ford Foundation today announced the election of Jason W. Ingle to its Board of Trustees. The appointment is significant not only for its timing—coinciding with the philanthropy giant's 90th anniversary—but for who Ingle is: the great-great-grandson of founder Henry Ford and a seasoned veteran in the world of impact investing.

Ingle, the founder of Third Nature Investments, brings a deep-seated commitment to using capital for social and environmental good, a philosophy that appears tailor-made for a foundation grappling with how to best leverage its $16 billion endowment to fight global inequality. The appointment is seen by many as a strategic masterstroke, weaving the symbolic power of the founding family's legacy into the fabric of modern, data-driven philanthropy.

"We are excited to welcome Jason as our newest trustee," said Francisco G. Cigarroa, Chair of the Ford Foundation Board of Trustees, in a statement. "His commitment, experience, and unique perspective will be highly valuable to the foundation and its mission for a more just and equitable world."

A New Generation of Ford Philanthropy

The Ford Foundation was established in 1936 by Henry Ford and his son, Edsel. After their deaths, it transformed from a local Michigan charity into a global institution under the guidance of Henry Ford II, who famously resigned from the board in 1976, citing a disconnect with the organization's direction. Ingle's arrival marks a powerful reconnection with the founding family, but on decidedly different terms.

Heather Gerken, president of the Ford Foundation, highlighted this synthesis of past and future. "As we celebrate the Ford Foundation's 90th anniversary, we are especially proud that Jason will not only carry forward the connection to our founding family, but will lend his innovative expertise and passion to our mission as we write the next chapter of the foundation's story," she stated.

That next chapter seems poised to be heavily influenced by Ingle's extensive background. Unlike the industrial-age capitalism of his famous ancestor, Ingle's career has been dedicated to building and scaling ventures that place impact at their core. He founded Greener Partners, a nonprofit dedicated to sustainable farming and food access, before co-founding Closed Loop Capital, a venture fund focused on agriculture technology and circular economy solutions. His work is a testament to a belief that market-based mechanisms can be powerful tools for addressing systemic issues.

The Impact Investor's Playbook

Ingle's professional history reads like a blueprint for modern social enterprise. As a founder of The ImPact, a network for families committed to impact investing, and an investor in firms like Desert Bloom Food Ventures, he has been at the forefront of a movement that seeks measurable social returns alongside financial ones. His board seats at companies like Sway Innovation, which develops plastic alternatives, and Copia, a food waste reduction platform, further underscore a focus on tangible, scalable solutions to environmental and social challenges.

This expertise aligns seamlessly with the Ford Foundation's own evolution. The foundation pioneered Program-Related Investments (PRIs) in 1968, using low-interest loans and other financial tools to support mission-aligned projects. More recently, in 2017, it made a landmark commitment to allocate up to $1 billion of its endowment to Mission-Related Investments (MRIs)—investments that aim for market-rate financial returns while simultaneously advancing the foundation's social justice goals.

Ingle’s hands-on experience in identifying, funding, and scaling impact-focused companies makes him a uniquely qualified voice to help guide and potentially expand these strategies. His presence on the board could accelerate the foundation's efforts to leverage the entirety of its financial power, not just the 5% it pays out in grants annually, to drive change.

Addressing Inequality with New Tools

In his own statement, Ingle zeroed in on the foundation's core purpose. "I am immensely honored to join the Ford Foundation's board of trustees," he said. "What truly defines this organization is its singular dedication to fighting inequality – a mission more urgent than ever as our world grapples with profound uncertainty and rapid change."

He emphasized that the foundation's strength lies not just in its financial capital but in its "extraordinary people – their collective wisdom, deep community roots, and unparalleled networks." Ingle's vision involves integrating "new philanthropic approaches and capital" to bolster this human insight, ensuring lasting impact on critical issues.

His specific mention of climate justice and civic engagement is particularly relevant. The Ford Foundation's Natural Resources and Climate Justice program is already a major global initiative, working to secure land rights for Indigenous communities and promote an equitable transition away from fossil fuels. Ingle's background in sustainable agriculture and food systems—a sector inextricably linked to land use, climate change, and community well-being—provides a direct bridge to this work. His appointment suggests a future where the foundation may deepen its investment in climate-resilient agriculture and circular economy models as key levers for fighting inequality.

As a new trustee serving a six-year term, Ingle will join a diverse board responsible for setting the foundation's broad policies on grantmaking, investments, and governance. His appointment is more than a nod to history; it is a clear declaration that for the Ford Foundation, the path to a more just and equitable world involves harnessing the full spectrum of capital, innovation, and a legacy reimagined for the 21st century.