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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A Step Toward Justice

Today, we are exhaling after a jury convicted Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. A police officer has been held accountable for a horrific crime. But the verdict is no cause for celebration. Accountability cannot bring George Floyd back…

What We're Learning

April 29, 2021

Leaning into Racial Justice with the Surdna Foundation and Andrus Family Fund

Amid a national reckoning with race and the pandemic, foundations are leaning into racial justice like never before. Yet many foundations are grappling with how to fund racial equity and the best way forward for their institution and grantees.…

News

April 14, 2021

We Stand for Democracy

In response to discriminatory efforts to suppress voting across the country, hundreds of business, tech, health, nonprofit, and foundation leaders, including Surdna Foundation President Don Chen, joined forces to issue the below statement. This…

From the President

March 26, 2021

AAPI: A Call for Solidarity and Collective Action

Immediately after the murder of eight people–including six Asian women–in Atlanta, Georgia last Tuesday, I started to write this letter. But it didn’t feel quite right. As an Asian American, I wanted to do more than write a statement. By…