TheCable

The Ford and MacArthur Foundations have warned the public against scammers posing to collect money from applicants for grants and sponsorships.

In a joint statement, ChiChi Aniagolu, Ford Foundation regional director in West Africa, and Kole Shettima, director of MacArthur Foundation in Nigeria, said both organisations are committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and social change.

The foundations warned the public against subscribing to the “negative schemes” of criminal elements, noting that they do not require registration and payments before applying for grants.

The foundations also said they 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”.

“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,” the statement reads.

“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.

“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.”