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
July 30, 2026

Building Power Through Culture

The Thriving Cultures Mid-Strategy Review Report Report Prepared by RISE Research & Evaluation Dr. Tenah Hunt, Senior Research Associate Julie Kendig, M.A., Director of Inquiry Foreword By Robert Smith III Senior Program Officer, Thriving…

Thriving Cultures
July 30, 2026

NPN Reflects on Five Years of Southern Grantmaking

National Performance Network (NPN) is one of Surdna’s Thriving Cultures program’s regranting partners, distributing Surdna’s funds to artists, artist collectives, and small artist organizations to work with their communities to imagine and…