Ford and Other Big Grant Makers Join Forces to Safeguard Internet Liberties

Over the past two decades, the Internet has evolved from an obscure Defense Department project to a global communications phenomenon. Now, say a group of foundation leaders, it’s time to make sure it is a force for good. The group, which includes several heavy hitters from the foundation world including the Ford, Knight, MacArthur, Mozilla, and Open Society foundations, has formed a partnership to figure out how to get the Internet to live up to its potential as a tool for social justice. The effort, called NetGain, will be formally announced at an event hosted by the Ford Foundation at its New York headquarters on February 11. Details of the collaboration, including how long it will last and what additional support each institution will provide, are still being worked out.