LP profile · Foundation
Surdna Foundation
Surdna Foundation is a foundation headquartered in United States (North America). Ranked #146 in the 2026 Dealroom Power Law LP Ranking by realised power-law score across its venture commitments.
Historical Background
- The Surdna Foundation was established in 1917 by John Emory Andrus, a businessman and public servant, for general philanthropic purposes.
- Initially focused on a range of charitable activities, the foundation's direction was refined in 1989 by the third and fourth generations of the Andrus family to concentrate on environmental and community revitalization initiatives.
- The foundation's mission was further expanded in 1994 to include programs supporting the arts and effective citizenry.
Source of Capital
- The foundation's capital originates from the endowment established by its founder, John Emory Andrus.
- It operates as a private family foundation, with its endowment managed to fund its philanthropic activities.
Major Events
- In 2014, the Board of Trustees made a formal commitment to align the foundation's investment strategy with its social justice mission, initiating a dedicated impact investing program.
- The foundation adopted its current mission statement, "to foster just and sustainable communities in the United States," to formally guide its grantmaking and investment activities.
Allocation Strategy
- The foundation allocates capital through an impact investing lens, aiming to align its portfolio with its mission of fostering social justice.
- It has a stated goal of committing its entire endowment to impact investments, with a particular focus on supporting investment managers who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC).
- Programmatic grantmaking is focused on three core areas: Sustainable Environments, Strong Local Economies, and Thriving Cultures within the United States.
Sources
- https://surdna.org/our-organization/our-history/
- https://surdna.org/our-organization/vision-mission-values/
- https://www.cambridgeassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Surdna-Case-Study_final.pdf
- https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=SURD001
- https://www.groundworksnm.org/grantmakers-directory/surdna-foundation