Surdna Foundation - Surdna Foundation -

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

Featured Reports & Publications
November 13, 2026

Living in the Future: Surdna's 2025–2026 Impact Report

What's in Store for the Future? Across the country, people aren’t waiting for a just future. They’re already building and living it. Meet some of the people, ideas, experiments, and solutions giving us hope. For Surdna’s 2025–2026 Living…

Sustainable Environments
November 12, 2026

What It Takes to Beat a Multimillion-Dollar Polluter

The Asian Pacific Environmental Network is building community power that marshals change. For Surdna’s 2025–2026 Living in the Future Impact Report, we partnered with Next City, whose journalists covered the work of eight of our many…