This collection documents Forman's activities as Program Director of the Human Rights and Governance Program. During his tenure, the Human Rights and Governance Program encompassed two of six major areas of funding – Human Rights and Social Justice and Governance and Public Policy. This Program supported the promotion and protection of fundamental civil and political liberties worldwide and provided support for analysis of governmental structures and policies in developed countries and in Third World countries. The records of the Program Director are significant because they document the development of new program ideas with input from the President and Board of Trustees. These papers also document work by the Program staff in developing new initiatives and implementing grant activity in the areas of human rights and public policy on a national and international scope. Activities documented in the files include creation of program initiatives, preparation of financial materials, reports, and strategy papers that were presented to the Board of Trustees and documentation of task forces and study group activities. Of interest are the background files on the development of an AIDS funding program that involved other private foundations.

This collection is comprised of materials that document the daily activities of the Office of Program Director of the International Affairs Program. The records of the Program Director are significant because they document the development of programs from the point of view of Foundation officials and program staff. The President and Trustees of the Foundation offered input in program objectives and activities while Program staff developed new initiatives and implemented grant activity in the areas of human rights, health, and social welfare in Latin America, Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe. Activities documented in the files include creation of new program initiatives, preparation of financial materials, reports, and strategy papers that were presented to the Board of Trustees and documentation of task forces and study group activities. Trip files offer insight about the process of program development in overseas offices.

This collection is comprised of Chronological Files and correspondence to and from Shepard Forman. The Chronological Files are mainly comprised of letters from organizations or individuals soliciting grant funds, proposals, and letters to grantees requesting supplementary information, etc.

Contains board of trustees meetings and correspondence files.

The collection contains photographs, correspondence, monthly calendars, and notebooks filled with trip reports and travel notes related to Shepard Forman's career at the Ford Foundation and transition to Director of the Center on International Cooperation at New York University.