SURDNA FOUNDATION

Contact information:

330 Madison Avenue, 30th Floor
New York, NY 10017  
Phone: 212-557-0010
Fax: 212-557-0003
Website: http://www.surdna.org

Type of foundation: Independent

Types of grants: Continuing support; general/operating support; program development; technical assistance. Grants are made for a period of up to three years.

Description: The Surdna Foundation was founded in 1917 by John Emory Andrus. Mr. Andrus' primary business, the Arlington Chemical Company, manufactured and distributed medicine and his business interests included large land holdings as far away as Alaska. The Foundation currently focuses on:

• Sustainable Environments: The Foundation focuses on climate change, building a green economy and transportation/smart growth.
• Strong Local Economies: The Foundation supports projects that help connect people (especially low- and moderate-income communities) to opportunities including jobs, transit, schools and services. The Foundation was a supporter of PBS' Blueprint America series.
• Thriving Cultures: The Foundation supports anchor cultural institutions, arts training programs (especially for youth), projects that engage artists in social activism.

The Foundation is very committed to social justice and has long-standing interest in projects that engage young people. The Foundation revised its guidelines and giving areas in late 2009-early 2010. Applicants should carefully review current guidelines. It is acceptable to contact a Program Officer with questions. Additional information is available via the Foundation's mailing list.

Sample grants:

• $400,000 over two years to WNYC Radio, New York, NY to develop a "Cultural Portal," a multi-platform, non-commercial social engagement application for cultural news, trends, and events featuring content from a wide range of cultural organizations and available to a large audience (2008).
• $150,000 to Public Radio Capital to attract media savvy young audiences to public radio by identifying high potential FM radio stations, institutional partners, and market opportunities and designing a new operating and format model (2009).
• $130,000 to KUNM/Albuquerque to support the KUNM Youth Radio project (2008).
• $125,000 over one year to Public Radio Exchange to support ongoing operation and development of services, including: the main PRX.org web application and distribution on digital and satellite channels, continued leadership in public media and a partnership with Project Vendor Relationship Management (2009).
• $120,000 to Radio Rootz – People's Production House, New York, NY to support a youth media, activism, and leadership development program that teaches media literacy and radio production to youth across New York City's five boroughs (2008).
• $100,000 over one year to American Public Media to expand its Public Insight Journalism program (2007).
• $100,000 over two years to Downtown Community Television Center to support its media training program for inner-city youth (2010).
• $100,000 over two years to Youth Rights Media to support youth-created video campaigns about issues affecting their schools and communities (2010).
• $100,000 to Friends of WWOZ to create a set of internet tools to extend the reach of New Orleans music (2009).
• $75,000 to Public Radio International, Minneapolis, MN to provide resources for Public Action, a suite of online participatory media tools designed to foster community engagement by leveraging public broadcasting content (2008).
• $65,000 to KUNM for a partnership with Youth Radio to engage young people in New Mexico in media training (2010).
• $65,000 to Youth Radio, Oakland, California in support for efforts to leverage the power of youth-produced media and support civic engagement among disenfranchised young people (2008).
• $50,000 to WBEZ Alliance to upgrade the Vocalo.org website and support The Factory, a collaborative media production workshop (2010).
• $25,000 to Chittenden Community Television for Common Good Vermont, a Web-based network enabling community leaders and nonprofits to share knowledge and collaborate in addressing community issues (2010).

Fit for public broadcasting: The Foundation has a solid history of supporting public media initiatives. It also has a long-standing interest in programs that support or serve young people, especially those that engage them in public life. Public media can make a strong case that it informs the public about issues of high interest to the Foundation.

Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations must have a valid tax exemption status under Section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and be classified as a public charity and not as a "private foundation" under Section 509(a). Surdna makes grants nationwide. Surdna also makes organizational capacity grants, but only to past or current grantees.

No support for international projects, capital projects, building projects, or for individuals.

Deadline: None. Grants are approved three times per year (February, May, September).

How to apply: Surdna generally follows a two-stage application process, starting with an online letter of inquiry. The Foundation will request a proposal if interested. All proposals must be submitted online. It is acceptable to contact a Program Officer by phone if you have questions.

Giving range: Most grants are in the $25,000 – $200,000 range.

Assets: $915,730,690 (year ending 6/30/08)

Total giving: $38,509,138 (year ending 6/30/08)

View 2008 Annual Report and other Foundation reports here.