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 Inclusive Economies
April 13, 2022

Building Trust Through Practice: A Shared Journey Toward an Inclusive Economy

There's a lot of talk in philanthropy about racial justice, trusting and centering grantees, sharing power, and enabling the risks necessary for innovative ideas to launch, succeed, or fail. But what does this look like in practice?   In this…

News
May 11, 2022

Sophy Yem Promoted to Senior Program Officer, Philanthropy

We are thrilled to announce Sophy Yem’s promotion to Senior Program Officer, Philanthropy at the Surdna Foundation.   In this role, Sophy will continue to lead the Foundation’s grantmaking, engagement, and relationships to support the…

What We're Learning
April 11, 2022

Grantee Perception Report: What We Heard and How We Plan to Do Better

By Don Chen and Jon Goldberg Have you ever had food stuck in your teeth and only found out when you looked in the mirror hours later? If you’re like us, you probably thought, “Why didn’t anyone tell me?” The truth is that it’s tricky…

News
April 5, 2022

Intersectional environmentalism: How foundations simultaneously address race and climate

Surdna’s Sustainable Environments Program Director, Alison Corwin recently spoke with reporter Jake Safane about how environmental and racial issues are intertwined. The excerpt below was originally published by Alliance Magazine: Conserving…