Sustainable Environments

The Sustainable Environments program seeks to support communities of color and low-wealth communities to direct infrastructure and land use investment dollars, drive decision-making processes and design policy solutions because those who are disproportionately impacted by environmental and climate inequity have the most powerful solutions to resolve these inequities.

 

The Change We Seek

We believe by investing in the capacity of environmental and climate justice frontline and grassroots movements, particularly those led by people of color, and the capacity of communities to self-determine the ownership, control, and stewardship of land and infrastructure assets, then communities will begin to see more equitable environmental outcomes across racial lines that benefit and uplift all.

Areas of Focus

We support leaders and organizations who are building accountability within public and private infrastructure sectors, building knowledge about and access to alternatives to current infrastructure systems; and building democratic participation – particularly for low-wealth communities and communities of color which are politically marginalized.

 

Environmental & Climate Justice

We seek to center and support the power of communities of color and low-wealth communities most impacted by environmental and climate injustices.  These communities hold expertise and solutions to build economic justice, design for racial equity, and solve environmental problems.

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Land Use Through Community Power

We seek to increase community control, ownership and stewardship of land and infrastructure.

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Grantee Spotlights

Jobs to Move America

Surdna provided the seed money to launch Jobs to Move America. Today, they are a proud partner in helping JMA hold the government accountable to spending taxpayer dollars used for infrastructure to create good jobs, investing in people, the environment and economy.

Partnership for Southern Equity

The Partnership for Southern Equity’s strong reputation, deep roots in the community and expertise around issues of equity and democracy help Surdna further one of the Sustainable Environments’ strategies to build accountability and develop alternatives that support healthier, sustainable and just communities for children and families across the country.

News & Insights

The latest perspectives, news, reports, and resources from across the Foundation.

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Programs

Inclusive Economies

The Inclusive Economies Program fosters the creation of an inclusive and equitable economy in which people of color can maximize their potential as leaders, creators, and innovators across sectors.

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Thriving Cultures

The Thriving Cultures Program is guided by Radical Imagination for Racial Justice, our future-oriented, world-building strategy, which is organized across three interconnected grantmaking approaches:

  • Create invests (through regranting organizations) in artists of color who work with communities of color to imagine and build racially just systems and structures at a local scale.
  • Clarify invests in researchers and cultural critics of color to interpret and disseminate knowledge about the work of artists and to build a more equitable research and criticism infrastructure.
  • Connect advances the role of artists and communities of color in shaping public policy, narrative change, and philanthropic practices that advance racial justice.

What We Do Not Fund

Our grantmaking does not support:

  • Individuals (However, we do fund organizations that make grants to individual artists.)
  • Capital campaigns or building construction
  • Projects that are based or focused outside of the United States, tribal lands, or U.S. territories
  • Purchase of equipment
  • Awards, scholarships, or endowment funds

Grants are made by invitation only. We are not accepting unsolicited inquiries or letters of intent at this time.

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