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 Impact Investing
December 13, 2022
TIIP Announces Racial Equity Working Group to Tackle Racial Injustice as a Systemic Risk

21 Industry Leaders Convened to Put Spotlight on Racial Injustice as a Risk to Investment Performance at the Same Level as Climate Change Today The Investment Integration Project (TIIP) announced the formation of its new Racial Equity Working…

Inclusive Economies
January 26, 2023
NY Small Business Funders Collective Announces $500,000 in Grants Benefiting Local Entrepreneurs of Color

First grantee cohort is working to strengthen the local small business ecosystem across the five boroughs Today, the NY Small Business Funders Collective, the city’s first pooled grantmaking fund benefiting Black, Latinx, Asian & Pacific…

News
November 16, 2022
Surdna Appoints Melissa D’Arienzo, Miguel A. Santana, and Ommeed Sathe to its Board

New members bring expertise in social media, racial and social justice, and impact investing  The Surdna Foundation announced today the election of Melissa D’Arienzo, Miguel A. Santana, and Ommeed Sathe to its Board of Directors. “We…

Reports & Publications
November 4, 2022
How Surdna Centers Trust and Learns With Grantee Partners

For the Fall 2022 PEAK Grantmaking Journal, Surdna's Director of Learning and Grant Operations, Jonathan Goldberg shares a few ways the Foundation is building a culture of learning. This excerpt was originally published in PEAK's Emergent Learning…