Scam Alert: Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation Warn Public To Beware Of Fraudsters Using Their Names

Ford Foundation and MacArthur Foundation have issued a joint statement calling on members of the public to beware of activities of scammers and other criminal elements seeking to defraud unsuspecting victims with their names.

In the joint statement signed by ChiChi Aniagolu, Regional Director, West Africa For the Ford Foundation and Kole Shettima, Co-Director, On Nigeria and Director, Nigeria Office, MacArthur Foundation, the international nongovernmental organizations, said it has come to their attention that scammers are now increasingly using names of international philanthropies to defraud researchers, grant seekers, civil society groups, churches, and local communities.

In some instances, the criminal elements demand payments for registrations and insurance from desperate or unsuspecting fund seekers to facilitate grants and sponsorships from the non-governmental organisations.

In the joint statement titled “Beware of Scammers: Ford Foundation and MacArthur Foundation Issue Joint Warning,” the two not-for-profit organisations clarified their mode of operations, emphasising that they are committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and social change.

The organisations urged the general public not to subscribe to the negative schemes of criminal elements, noting that Ford Foundation and MacArthur Foundation do not require registration and payments prior to application for grants.

The statement added that also do not sponsor lotteries, ask for personal banking information from individuals, or ask grantees to pay insurance, deposits, or any delivery and administrative fees for grant funds. Such requests by fraudsters, they said, run contrary to the transparency, accountability, and social change activities, which are hallmarks of the organisations.

Organisations wishing to apply for grants to these Foundations or learn more about their mission, vision, objectives and ways of working are advised to visit their websites: fordfoundation.org, macfound.org

The statement reads:

“The Ford Foundation and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, jointly caution against falling victim to any fraudulent schemes by scammers targeting international philanthropies.

“We emphatically state that neither the Ford Foundation nor the MacArthur Foundation, solicit donations, administrative fees, or any payment for grant applications. Our organizations are steadfast in promoting transparency, accountability, and social change.”

 

Key points to note:

• We do not sponsor lotteries or solicit donations.
• We never request personal banking information from individuals.
• Individuals are not approached for grant opportunities.
• Grantees are not required to pay insurance, deposits, or any administrative fees for grant funds.
• Do not send money or provide personal details and avoid clicking on any included links where you are unsure of the source.

For grant application processes or to learn more about our Foundations, please visit our official websites: Fordfoundation.org; Macfound.org