ANDRUS:
One Blog.
Many Voices.

Our Blog

Meet AFF Board Member Sam Downes

By Andrus Family Fund on July 30, 2024

Tell us a little about yourself. My name is Sam, and I’m an engineer based in Brookline, Massachusetts. I’ve worked in the public … Read More >

Meet AFF Board Member Amara Andrus

By Andrus Family Fund on July 30, 2024

Tell us a little about yourself. My name is Amara Andrus, and I live in St. Paul, Minnesota, where I was born and … Read More >

Reflecting on the Legacy of Slavery and Racism

By Andrus Family Fund on April 25, 2024

The following excerpt is authored by Lincoln Mondy, AFF’s Program Officer, and focuses on a recent staff and board learning trip to the … Read More >

The Value of Lived Experience: Meet AFF Board Member Lucero Noyola

By Andrus Family Fund on April 11, 2024

We recently sat down with new AFF board member Lucero Noyola (she/her) to talk about her background, her vision for the fund and … Read More >

Legacy Evolved: Meet AFF Board Member Tyler Pakradooni

By Andrus Family Fund on February 6, 2024

We recently got the chance to speak with new board member Tyler Pakradooni (he/him). Our conversation ranged from his personal roots in philanthropy … Read More >

Organizing for Abolition. Envisioning Liberation. with National Center for Youth Law and upEND Movement

By Andrus Family Fund on December 13, 2023

Listen to our fifth episode now!

Organizing Abolition. Envisioning Liberation. with MFP and JMACforFamilies

By Out Of The Margins on November 1, 2023

Listen to the fourth episode of this series now!

Imagining the Future with Program Officer Lincoln Mondy

By Andrus Family Fund on September 25, 2023

AFF is excited to introduce Lincoln Mondy (he/him), our new Program Officer! We sat down with him to chat about his past work, … Read More >

Lincoln Mondy Appointed Program Officer of the Andrus Family Fund

By Andrus Family Fund on September 11, 2023

New York, September 7, 2023— The Andrus Family Fund (AFF), a program of the Surdna Foundation, today announced the appointment of Lincoln Mondy … Read More >

Organizing for Abolition. Envisioning Liberation. with CJSF & AEJ

By Out Of The Margins on September 8, 2023

Listen to the third episode of this series now!

Organizing for Abolition. Envisioning Liberation. with Puente

By Out Of The Margins on July 18, 2023

AFF launched a new podcast series. Listen to our second episode now!

Organizing for Abolition. Envisioning Liberation. with CURYJ

By Out Of The Margins on June 16, 2023

AFF launched a new podcast series. Listen now!

Organizing for Abolition. Envisioning Liberation.

By Andrus Family Fund on March 30, 2023

AFF is launching a new video and podcast series that centers youth in the movement to abolish harmful systems and who are envisioning … Read More >

Disrupting Norms: The AFF Board is Leading to Embrace Abolition

By Katharine Korchnak on February 10, 2023

Last year, the Andrus Family Fund launched a strategic refresh that boldly centers abolition. Since the launch, the AFF board has fully supported … Read More >

2022 Year in Review

By Andrus Family Fund on December 15, 2022

Mishi Faruqee appointed Director of the Andrus Family Fund

By Andrus Family Fund on November 1, 2022

NEW YORK, October 25, 2022—The Andrus Family Fund (AFF), a fund of the Surdna Foundation, today announced Mishi Faruqee as its new director. … Read More >

Movement Partner Spotlight: Juvenile Law Center

By Andrus Family Fund on July 27, 2022

Juvenile Law Center explains why it’s important to take the lead from young people as they advocate for alternatives to incarceration that create … Read More >

Movement Partner Spotlight: PolicyLink

By Andrus Family Fund on July 5, 2022

Anand Subramanian of PolicyLink explains what abolition is (and isn’t), the importance of visioning and centering young people in the movement.

Movement Partner Spotlight: Communities United

By Andrus Family Fund on June 28, 2022

Meyiya Coleman of Communities United speaks to us about the power of youth organizing and how it led to major reforms for police … Read More >

Meet AFF’s new Interim Director

By Andrus Family Fund on June 23, 2022

Dearest AFF Community, After two incredible years at the Andrus Family Fund (AFF), I am nervous and excited to share that my family … Read More >

AFF is looking for a new Director

By Andrus Family Fund on May 17, 2022

Click here to learn more about the Director position from our search group, Koya Partners.

Movement Partner Spotlight: Youth First Initiative

By Andrus Family Fund on May 12, 2022

Hernan Carvente Martinez of Youth First Initiative explains what abolition means to him, what a world without youth prisons looks like and what … Read More >

Movement Partner Spotlight: Movement for Family Power

By Andrus Family Fund on April 25, 2022

Erin Miles Cloud of Movement for Family Power explains how dismantling the child welfare system fits within the wider abolitionist movement and the … Read More >

Movement Partner Spotlight: YWFC

By Andrus Family Fund on April 15, 2022

Listen to Jessica Nowlan of Young Women’s Freedom Center speak about the importance of investing in systems-impacted youth leadership and building collective power … Read More >

Movement Partner Spotlight: CURYJ

By Andrus Family Fund on March 11, 2022

George Galvis and Xochtil Larios of CURYJ speak about the power of restorative justice, youth leadership and organizing in the abolitionist movement.

Strategic Refresh 2022

By Andrus Family Fund on February 8, 2022

The Next Evolution of Andrus Family Fund

By Manuela Arciniegas on February 8, 2022

Dear Movement Partners: I have two pieces of exciting news to share with you. The first is about the Andrus Family Fund’s strategic … Read More >

Visionary Freedom Fund featured in Fast Company

By Andrus Family Fund on December 6, 2021

“When it came to a new round of funding from the Andrus Family Fund, the foundation wanted to do something different. As part … Read More >

Speaking Truth to Power: Narrative Change for Youth Power Building

By Nyoka Acevedo & Manuela Arciniegas on November 17, 2021

On October 18th, 2021, grantee/movement partners of the Andrus Family Fund, Surdna Foundation, Wellspring Foundation, Youth First State Advocacy Fund, Communities for Just … Read More >

Manifest with Campaign for Youth Justice

By Out Of The Margins on October 21, 2021

Manifest with Youth Engagement Fund

By Out Of The Margins on October 7, 2021