Sustainable Environments Program

Sustainable Environments Program is a grant from the Surdna Foundation that funds nonprofit efforts to advance environmental and climate justice by building community power in low-wealth communities and communities of color. Grantees work to shape infrastructure and land use investment, increase community ownership and stewardship of land, and hold public and private infrastructure sectors accountable.

The program prioritizes frontline and grassroots movements led by people of color who are developing alternatives to extractive infrastructure systems. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations based in the United States. Awards range from $50,000 to $200,000.

Grants are made by invitation only; unsolicited inquiries are not accepted.

Sustainable Environments - Surdna Foundation Resilient Organizations Initiative 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.

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.

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. Land Use Through Community Power We seek to increase community control, ownership and stewardship of land and infrastructure.

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.

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

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