Surdna Foundation – Inclusive Economies Program

Surdna Foundation – Inclusive Economies Program is sponsored by Surdna Foundation. Part of this portfolio includes support for efforts advancing workplace justice, including whistleblower retaliation prevention.

Inclusive Economies - Surdna Foundation Resilient Organizations Initiative Forging an Economy That Works for All 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. Everyone’s economic well-being improves when all communities are empowered to participate on equal footing.

We seek an economy that truly works the same for everyone. Through concentrated strategic grantmaking, program-related investments, partnerships and field building we hope to elevate communities of color across income and class.

We believe that by investing in the development of businesses owned by people of color and by increasing community voice in economic planning, we can help usher in a new economy defined by just and equitable economic growth. Business Start-up & Growth We seek to increase representation in ownership of scalable businesses and in high-growth sectors by people of color with an emphasis on African-Americans and Latinos.

Equitable Economic Development We seek to amplify community voice in decision-making and increase the number and percent of quality jobs among communities of color with an emphasis on African-American and Latino communities. LIFT’s community development work goes beyond small business loans.

At the end of the day, Community LIFT is “hoping to grow wealth in the community, increase job opportunities, strengthen family income stability and improve overall community health. ” – Eric Robertson, President, Community LIFT “As a Black woman in a space where very few people look like or care about someone like me, Surdna’s support gave me validation.

” – Kathryn Finney, Founder, digitalundivided The latest perspectives, news, reports, and resources from across the Foundation.

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 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.

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 Awards, scholarships, or endowment funds Grants are made by invitation only. We are not accepting unsolicited inquiries or letters of intent at this time.

Fostering sustainable communities in the United States — communities guided by principles of social justice and distinguished by healthy environments, inclusive economies, and thriving cultures. For over five generations, the Foundation has been governed largely by descendants of John Andrus and has developed a tradition of innovative service for those in need of help or opportunity. © 2026 Surdna Foundation.

Created by Constructive Journey to Justice: Surdna Foundation Impact Report 2018–2024