The foundation was established January 15, 1936, in Michigan by Edsel Ford (president of the Ford Motor Company) and two other executives "to receive and administer funds for scientific, educational and charitable purposes, all for the public welfare."
基金会于1936年1月15日由福特汽车公司总裁埃德塞尔·福特和其他两名高管在密歇根州成立，以“獲取和管理资金，用于對大眾福祉有益的科学、教育与慈善目的”。