In 2009, as part of Surdna’s mission and program revision, Foundation Initiatives (FI) was created to ensure flexibility and ongoing cross-programmatic thinking at the foundation. FI does this through research and development (R&D) that supports the exploration of innovation, new strategies, and emerging trends identified by foundation staff; and through time-limited grantmaking initiatives based on the outcomes of our R&D. Results of our ongoing R&D and the establishment of specific grantmaking initiatives will be announced on our website and through our monthly newsletter.

• New Orleans Fund

  In 2008, three years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the subsequent levee breaches that caused widespread disaster throughout New Orleans, the Surdna Foundation launched the New Orleans Fund to advance the city’s long-term re-building and resiliency efforts. Building off of previous and ongoing support of the region in our core programs, this $5 million, 5 year grantmaking initiative supports civic engagement in multiple issue areas, including economic development, education, arts and culture, coastal restoration, and worker’s rights. The fund prioritizes groups that are local or are working in direct collaboration with locally-led groups, and gives preference to projects that engage communities that have traditionally had the least access to power and decision making spaces in the city. Since its inception the Fund has given over $2 million to 18 organizations working to strengthen New Orleans’ civic fabric (click here for 2008-2010 grants).
  
  For further information on the work of the New Orleans Fund, please see the article on collaborative grantmaking and civic engagement in New Orleans. The New Orleans Fund considers grant requests on a rolling basis. 
  
  To submit a letter of inquiry or a full proposal, please visit the How To Apply For A Grant Page.

• Capacity and Infrastructure Fund

  Surdna has a long history of supporting the capacity and infrastructure of the nonprofit sector.  The foundation continues to make a small number of capacity and infrastructure grants.  Led by our core values and mission, these grants are designed to bring additional resources to organizations that are integral to serving the needs of the nonprofit sector.
  
  Because the Capacity and Infrastructure fund is small we do not accept applications in this category.  Grants are announced once per year in May  and are generally made on a multi-year basis.