Supporting Just and Sustainable Communities

Our History

The Surdna Foundation was founded in 1917 by John Emory Andrus to pursue a range of philanthropic purposes. To this day, family stewardship of the Foundation is guided by Andrus’ commitment to serving those in need.

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Programs

Through our investments, we dismantle the barriers that limit opportunities to create more prosperous, enriching, and sustainable communities. Taken together, our investments build capacity, spark innovation, and connect stakeholders while encouraging lesson-sharing between grantees.

Inclusive Economies

We support and invest in the growth of robust, sustainable economies with diverse businesses owned by people of color and the advancement of equitable economic development.

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Sustainable Environments

We support the creation of just and sustainable communities in which low-wealth and communities of color have the power to self-determine the ownership, control and stewardship of land and its infrastructure assets.

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Thriving Cultures

We invest in artists, culture-bearers, designers, and media-makers of color who partner with their communities to radically imagine justice and foster the conditions for just systems and practices to be adopted.

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Latest News & Events Learn More

Inclusive Economies
February 1, 2024
Blk Grvty’s Equipped Initiative Receives $1 Million Investment From The Surdna Foundation

Blk Grvty awarded $100,000 to Collide Capital as part of the Equipped Initiative Black, Asian, and Latinx people and white women manage just 1.4% of the over $82 trillion in assets, according to the Knight Foundation. Persistent disinvestment in…

News
January 31, 2024
Surdna Foundation Welcomes Kayla Hunter as Program Associate, Sustainable Environments

This month, the Surdna Foundation welcomed Kayla Hunter (she/her) as the new program associate with the Sustainable Environments team. Kayla will support programmatic management, organizing the grantmaking budget, conducting research, and…

From the President
January 9, 2024
Don Chen Talks Strategic Trust-Based Philanthropy on Let's Hear It Podcast

Don Chen, president of the Surdna Foundation, discusses his experience in the nonprofit world, his work at Surdna, and his thoughts on strategic trust-based philanthropy with Kirk Brown and Eric Brown, hosts of Let's Hear It, a podcast about social…