SF
LP profile
Surdna Foundation
Foundation · Founded 1917 · New York City, United States
116
VC firms backed
$1.5B
AUM
~$45M
Allocated to VC (est. 3%)
01 · Background
Who Surdna Foundation is.
- 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.
02 · Fund commitments
The funds Surdna Foundation backs.
Surdna Foundation is a limited partner in 116 funds. 13 of them place in the Power Law Investor Ranking; those lead, best-ranked first.
General Catalyst
#13 Power Law
Felicis
#22 Power Law
Coatue Management
#32 Power Law
Venrock
#56 Power Law
FirstMark
#127 Power Law
Primary Venture Partners
#133 Power Law
TPG
#158 Power Law
Summit Partners
#168 Power Law
Highland Capital Partners
#192 Power Law
Bain Capital
#239 Power Law
InterWest Partners
#395 Power Law
Mucker Capital
#413 Power Law
4D Global Energy Investments
Blue Water
Egerton Capital
Europa Capital
Inclusive Capital Partners
Kensico Capital Management
Mayfair Equity Partners
Patron Capital Partners
Sofinnova Partners
Southern Cross Group
03 · Allocation
How Surdna Foundation’s fund book is spread.
The 116 funds Surdna Foundation backs, by where the manager is headquartered and how many funds that manager has raised.
Where those managers are based
By fund headquarters, across the 113 of 116 with a location on record.
- North America 10694%
- Europe 76%
United States 106 · United Kingdom 5 · France 2
How established those managers are
Managers grouped by how many funds they have raised — across the 69 of 116 with a fund history on record.
Emerging funds · 28
Established funds · 41
15
1
8
2
5
3
8
4
11
5-6
11
7-9
3
10-14
8
15+
Funds raised by the manager
04 · Direct investments
The companies Surdna Foundation backs directly.
Surdna Foundation holds 2 companies directly, separate from the funds it commits to as a limited partner.
Center for Black Innovation
Blk Grvty
05 · Other LPs
Other LPs.
Other foundations in the Power Law LP ranking, closest to Surdna Foundation by combined power-law score — North America first, then the nearest worldwide.
🇺🇸
Grantham Foundation
$912M AUM
52 VC funds backed
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The Schmidt Family Foundation
$1.5B AUM
16 VC funds backed
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Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
$3.7B AUM
22 VC funds backed
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Alfred duPont Charitable Trust
$4.5B AUM
25 VC funds backed
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Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
$9.0B AUM
25 VC funds backed
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Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
$2.0B AUM
30 VC funds backed
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Skoll Foundation
$2.0B AUM
51 VC funds backed
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The Ford Family Foundation
$1.3B AUM
32 VC funds backed