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Ford Foundation Vacates Longtime Delhi Office After Lease Ends
The Ford Foundation had an office in New Delhi for about six decades.
Its lease for the building ended, and the government began eviction proceedings in 2025.
Officials said the foundation moved out on its own in February.
The government says it did not use force to remove the foundation.
The old office space will now be used by two international groups.
They are the International Big Cat Alliance and the Global Biofuels Alliance.
The Ford Foundation has supported Indian education, agriculture, and development programs for many years.
It was placed on a government watchlist in 2015 but removed from it in 2016.
The Ford Foundation has vacated its office at 55, Lodhi Estate, after operating there since the 1960s.
The Land and Development Office began eviction proceedings in 2025 after the property lease ended.
Officials said the foundation left voluntarily, so no forceful eviction was carried out.
The former office space has been allotted to the International Big Cat Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance.
The Ford Foundation previously supported Indian institutions and development programs, but was placed on a government watchlist in 2015 before being removed in 2016.
- Who
- The Ford Foundation, the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the International Big Cat Alliance, and the Global Biofuels Alliance.
- What
- The Ford Foundation vacated its longtime Lodhi Estate office, and the space was allotted to two India-led international initiatives.
- Where
- 55, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi.
- When
- Eviction proceedings began in 2025; the foundation moved out in February, and its website updated the address in March.
- Why
- The foundation’s lease had ended, after which the government allotted the premises to the International Big Cat Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance.
Key facts
- Former office
- 55, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi
- Time at premises
- Since the 1960s
- Eviction proceedings
- Initiated in 2025 after the lease ended
- Reported move
- February; the website listed the new address in March
- New occupants
- International Big Cat Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance
- Ford Foundation India office
- Level 8, DLF Centre, Sansad Marg
- 2015 government action
- Placed in the prior approval category by the Ministry of Home Affairs
- 2016 development
- Removed from the watchlist ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s United States visit
Quotes
Ford Foundation
International philanthropic foundation describing its history and work in India
“The foundation also provided early support for research to the Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur, and foundational support to the Indian Institute of Public Administration and the Punjab Agricultural University.”
indianexpress.com
“The Ford Foundation established its office in New Delhi in 1952, at the invitation of the Government of India. Since inception, we have partnered with the country to meet key development priorities and aspirations.”
indianexpress.com








