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
March 1, 2021

Founders First Capital Partners Announces Initial Close of $9 Million Series A to Support Underrepresented Entrepreneurs, Underserved Communities

Founders First Capital Partners (Founders First) announced its initial close for a $9 million Series A financing led by The Rockefeller Foundation and the Surdna Foundation to support underfunded and underrepresented entrepreneurs. This Series A…

From the President
February 28, 2021

Listen: Surdna's Don Chen on Mobilizing Resources and Redefining Risk

In this podcast, Surdna President Don Chen and ImpactAlpha Editor David Bank discuss Surdna's early response to the pandemic, the foundation's increase in grantmaking for racial justice, mission investing, and where do we go from here?…

News
February 5, 2021

Surdna Joins the Climate Funders Justice Pledge

“Surdna was proud to support Building Equity and Alignment for Impact’s (BEA) report, which found that 12 national environmental funders gave just 1.3% of their annual giving to environmental justice groups. There is an abundance of BIPOC-led…

News
January 21, 2021

Amplify Fund: Grantmaking to Communities Driving Just and Equitable Development

The Amplify Fund envisions a reality where Black, Indigenous, people of color and low-income people benefit from the changes caused by development, including wealth creation, land control and quality of life outcomes. Watch this short video to hear…