The Surdna Foundation seeks to foster sustainable communities in the United States - communities guided by principles of social justice and distinguished by healthy environments, strong local economies and thriving cultures. We seek to dismantle the structural barriers that limit opportunity for many, helping to create communities that are prosperous, culturally enriching, and sustainable.

Our approach

• We view grantmaking as part of a larger effort to build the capacity of the field, spark innovative ideas, and connect stakeholders.
• We place a high value on sharing best practices and learnings with others in the field.
• We respect all grantseekers by demonstrating transparency, responsiveness and courtesy.
• We invest in new and emerging ideas that bring others to the table but at the same time, we recognize the importance of long-term and sustained commitments.
• We strive to be responsive to the best thinking and ideas in the field and apply that to our work.

Our programs

We make grants in three areas:

• Sustainable Environments

  The Sustainable Environments Program works to overhaul our country’s low performing infrastructure, much of it outdated and crumbling, with a new approach that will foster healthier, sustainable, and just communities. We believe in the potential of what we call “next generation infrastructure” to improve transit systems, make buildings more energy efficient, better manage our water systems and rebuild regional food systems.

  Please click here for more information about the Sustainable Environments' guidelines.

• Strong Local Economies

  The Strong Local Economies program supports the development of robust and sustainable economies that include a diversity of businesses and access to quality jobs. We work to spur the growth of local businesses, encourage equitable economic development, and improve the quality and availability of jobs for low-income people, communities of color, immigrants, and women.

  Please click here for more information about the Strong Local Economies' guidelines.

• Thriving Cultures

  The Thriving Cultures program believes that communities with robust arts and culture are more cohesive, prosperous and benefit from the rich cultural diversity of their residents. We support efforts to encourage teens to explore the arts, involve artists in community development projects and foster the growth and success of local artists as economic engines and agents for social change.

  Please click here for more information about the Thriving Cultures’ guidelines.

The Foundation works to build strong ties across all three programs as we recognize how they depend on each other to create just and sustainable communities. If you believe your work makes a strong connection between two or more of our programs (Sustainable Environments, Strong Local Economies and Thriving Cultures), please apply to the program that you feel is the strongest fit and then explain how it meets the objectives of our other program(s). Please review the guidelines for each program to help you determine where you should apply.

In addition to our three core programs, Surdna works to:

Strengthen the economic, environmental, and artistic vitality of New Orleans.

Initiated in 2008, the Foundation has had a longstanding commitment to help the New Orleans area with its long-term rebuilding needs caused by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Five years later, that commitment still stands but we are now aligning our New Orleans grantmaking strategies with the objectives of our three core program areas: Strong Local Economies, Sustainable Environments and Thriving Cultures.  Applicants may consider applying for New Orleans-focused funding based on alignment with one or more of our three programs and must meet their guidelines.

To learn more, visit here.

Support of the health of the nonprofit sector.

Surdna has a long history of supporting and building the capacity of the nonprofit sector through our Capacity and Infrastructure Fund. Reflecting our core values and mission, these grants aim to promote the highest standards of philanthropy and ensure transparency, accountability and integrity.  We make a small number of grants in this category and are unable to accept applications.  

How to apply for a grant

We make both project and general support grants and accept letters of inquiry on a rolling basis.  Because we receive far more letters of inquiry than we are able to support, we can only invite a limited number of applicants to submit a full proposal.  Full proposals are requested by our staff and reviewed by the Foundation’s board of directors in March, July, or December.  If we invite your organization to apply, the Foundation staff will work with you to determine the best possible timing for the board to consider your proposal.

Please visit our program pages (Strong Local Economies, Sustainable Environments, Thriving Cultures) to learn more about our guidelines.

To submit a letter of inquiry, click here.

We seek organizations that:

• Collaborate with other organizations working on the same or complementary issues (i.e. share learnings or research; build networks, alliances, and coalitions; hold strategic convenings; promote best practices within the field, etc.)
• Strive to make long-term impact via public policy, advocacy, or capacity building
• Propose ideas that can be replicated, expanded, and shared broadly with the field
• Engage and build leadership among low-income communities and people of color
• Prioritize principles of equity and social justice in their work
• Maintain sound financial practices and management

We are unable to fund:

We do not fund individuals, capital projects or campaigns, endowments, building construction, academic fellowships, or projects that are internationally based or focused.

Please visit our three program pages: Sustainable Environments, Strong Local Economies and Thriving Cultures, to learn more about our guidelines and if we are a fit for your organization.