Surdna Foundation

Surdna Foundation. Established in 1917 by John Emory Andrus, the foundation is one of the oldest family philanthropies in the United States. It operates with a permanent endowment and focuses its grantmaking on fostering sustainable communities and advancing social justice. The foundation's name, "Surdna," is "Andrus" spelled backward, reflecting its familial origins.

History

The foundation was created by John Emory Andrus, a prominent industrialist and politician who served as a U.S. Representative and made his fortune through ventures like the Vitalis pharmaceutical company. Initially, its work was closely aligned with Andrus's personal charitable interests, supporting local institutions in Yonkers and the operations of the Andrus Children's Center. For decades, it functioned as a traditional charity, but in the late 1980s, under the leadership of Andrus's descendants, it underwent a significant strategic transformation. This period of reinvention, influenced by broader movements in strategic philanthropy, led the foundation to shift from reactive grantmaking to a proactive focus on systemic change in urban planning, environmental justice, and community development.

Mission and programs

The foundation's mission is to foster sustainable communities in the United States guided by principles of social justice and distinguished by healthy environments, inclusive economies, and thriving cultures. Its grantmaking is organized into three interconnected program areas. The **Strong Local Economies** program invests in efforts to build community wealth and create quality jobs, often supporting models like worker cooperatives and community development financial institutions. The **Sustainable Environments** program focuses on equitable community development and environmental health, funding initiatives for transit-oriented development, green infrastructure, and climate resilience in low-income communities. The **Thriving Cultures** program supports artists and cultural organizers working to advance social change, partnering with organizations like the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures and the First Peoples Fund.

Governance and leadership

The foundation is governed by a Board of Directors composed primarily of descendants of John Emory Andrus, maintaining its identity as a family foundation. This board sets overall policy, approves the strategic direction, and oversees the endowment. Day-to-day operations and grantmaking strategies are led by a professional staff under the direction of the President. As of 2023, the President is Don Chen, who previously held senior roles at the Ford Foundation and Smart Growth America. Key past leadership includes Edward Skloot, who served as Executive Director during the foundation's strategic overhaul in the early 1990s, helping to define its contemporary focus on justice and sustainability.

Financials and grantmaking

With an endowment of approximately $1.8 billion, the foundation is a significant actor in the philanthropic sector. It typically awards between $40 million and $50 million in grants annually to hundreds of nonprofit organizations across the country. Grantmaking is national in scope but often targets specific regions and communities, with a strong emphasis on supporting BIPOC-led and grassroots organizations. Financial operations and investment strategies are managed to ensure the endowment's long-term sustainability, aligning with its programmatic goals through practices considered in the field of mission-related investing. Detailed financial records and grant listings are published in its annual reports and are accessible via databases like Candid.

Impact and recognition

The foundation has been recognized for its role in advancing innovative approaches to equitable development and supporting transformative social movements. Its sustained funding has helped build the capacity of critical networks such as the Right to the City Alliance and the Equitable Innovation Economies coalition. In the cultural sector, its support for artists addressing issues from mass incarceration to immigration has influenced the field of social practice art. While typically avoiding the spotlight, the foundation's strategies are often studied by peers like the Kresge Foundation and the McKnight Foundation, and its president, Don Chen, is a frequent speaker at forums hosted by the Council on Foundations and the Urban Land Institute.

Category:Foundations based in New York City Category:Philanthropic organizations established in 1917 Category:Family foundations