Our Blog
The Value of Lived Experience: Meet AFF Board Member Lucero Noyola
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
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
Listen to our fifth episode now!
Organizing Abolition. Envisioning Liberation. with MFP and JMACforFamilies
Listen to the fourth episode of this series now!
Imagining the Future with Program Officer Lincoln Mondy
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
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
Listen to the third episode of this series now!
Organizing for Abolition. Envisioning Liberation. with Puente
AFF launched a new podcast series. Listen to our second episode now!
Organizing for Abolition. Envisioning Liberation. with CURYJ
AFF launched a new podcast series. Listen now!
Organizing for Abolition. Envisioning Liberation.
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
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 >
Mishi Faruqee appointed Director of the Andrus Family Fund
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
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
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
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
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
Click here to learn more about the Director position from our search group, Koya Partners.
Movement Partner Spotlight: Youth First Initiative
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
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
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
George Galvis and Xochtil Larios of CURYJ speak about the power of restorative justice, youth leadership and organizing in the abolitionist movement.
The Next Evolution of Andrus Family Fund
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
“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
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 >
The Visionary Freedom Fund Announces Inaugural Cohort of Grant Recipients in Grantmaking Led by Youth Organizers to Transform Youth Justice System
VFF distributes $2.5 million to 26 youth-led groups transforming the justice system and invites donors to join the movement to fund all 600 … Read More >
Continuing to Diversify our Board Toward Equitable Grantmaking
In 2017, the Andrus Family Fund welcomed our first cohort of community members, ushering in a new era of next-gen philanthropic leadership. We … Read More >
A Conviction is Not Justice
Dear Community, This week we heard a verdict that delivered some justice to George Floyd’s family, to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color … Read More >
6 Ways Funders Can Support Visionary Freedom
The following article is co-authored by Manuela Arciniegas, Director of AFF, Bryan Perlmutter and Jessica Pierce of Piece by Piece Strategies. Manuela is … Read More >
AFF Board Member & AFF Consultant Develop A Racial Justice Curriculum for Family Foundations
The National Center for Family Philanthropy has launched the Racial Justice Learning and Action Network to deepen engagement with issues of race in … Read More >
How AFF’s Inaugural Movement Partner Advisory Council Will Help Build A More Aligned, Liberated Philanthropic Practice
Recently, movement leaders, board members and AFF staff gathered (virtually) for our annual board meeting. This meeting was a historic occasion for our … Read More >
Social Justice Philanthropy Toolkit
Our curriculum introduces social justice principles and themes, as well as explores the importance of having these values live deeply within philanthropy. However, … Read More >
Nothing About Us Without Us: AFF Welcomes Movement Partner Advisory Council
“Nothing about us without us.” James Charlton, Disability Rights Movement Author Dear Community, After 20 years of philanthropic work, AFF is excited to … Read More >
2020 Year in Review
See how the Andrus Family Fund and grantee partners advanced our mission in a time of radical change. Click here.
Visionary Freedom Fund Launch
The Visionary Freedom Fund (VFF) celebrated its launch with a digital event on December 3, 2020. The following is a recording of the event, where … Read More >
Road to Abolition
The Communities for Just Schools Fund (CJSF) and the Andrus Family Fund (AFF) hosted a virtual plenary session on December 2, 2020 as … Read More >
A Letter to Foundation Trustees: 5 Things You Can Do Right Now To Show Up For Racial Justice
The year 2020 holds challenges for us all — a triple-layered challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, the police killings and resulting uprisings calling … Read More >
The Andrus Family Fund Announces New Board Leadership
The Andrus Family Fund, a program and sub fund of the Surdna Foundation, is pleased to announce our new board chair: C’Ardiss “CC” … Read More >
Stepping Up for Racial Justice
The Andrus Family Fund is a program and sub fund of the Surdna Foundation. Across the U.S., millions have stepped up in support … Read More >
Realizing Police Free Schools in Rochester
Even before the uprisings in response to the murder of Daniel Prude at the hands of Rochester police, organizers have been calling for … Read More >
We say her name: BREONNA TAYLOR
The following is a statement co-signed by our Director, Manuela Arciniegas, who serves as the co-chair of Funders for Justice. There is no … Read More >
Surdna and the Andrus Family Fund Join Foundations and Donors in Pledging to Redouble Commitments to Puerto Rico
New York, NY (September 30, 2020) – Today, 22 foundations and major donors signed a joint pledge to redouble their commitments to Puerto … Read More >
Rest in Power: Remembering the Legacy of Allison Brown
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our beloved colleague and friend Allison Brown, the founder … Read More >
Native Solidarity in the Movement for Black Lives
Recorded in the weeks immediately following the 2020 uprisings, listen to our podcast series on Native Solidarity in the Movement for Black Lives, … Read More >
AFF Statement on Racial Justice
The Andrus Family Fund (AFF) stands in solidarity with our grantee partners and the movement for Black lives—a movement recently pushed forward by … Read More >
Black Lives Matter, today and every day
The following is a statement co-signed by our Director, Manuela Arciniegas, who serves as the co-chair of Funders for Justice. We say their … Read More >
Youth Lead the Way for Youth Justice
Read the groundbreaking report, A United Vision for a World Without Youth Prisons, by Youth First and RISE partners. Subscribe to Out of … Read More >
The Andrus Family Fund Announces New Program Officer, Nyoka Acevedo
The Andrus Family Fund (AFF) welcomed Nyoka Acevedo as its new program officer on February 4, 2020. In her role as program officer, … Read More >
Kitchen Cabinet: Closing Remarks
Andrus Family Fund’s Director, Manuela Arciniegas, delivers her closing remarks at the 2019 Kitchen Cabinet convening. See more videos, photos and download a … Read More >
Kitchen Cabinet: Obstacles to Capital and Fundraising
Monica Cordova of Funder’s Collaborative on Youth Organizing and Alejandra Ruiz of Youth Engagement Fund present their findings. See more videos, photos and … Read More >
Kitchen Cabinet: Building Trust
Kesi Foster, Lead Organizer at Make the Road New York shares his thoughts on what capacity building means. See more videos, photos and … Read More >
Kitchen Cabinet: Long Term Visions for Transformation
Karen Marshall, Executive Director of Rethink in New Orleans, speaks about the power of a shared vision for transformation. See more videos, photos … Read More >
Kitchen Cabinet: Resources for Movement Building
Executive Directors Gabrielle Horowitz Prisco of Lineage Project and Matt Rosen of Foster Youth in Action present how to bring extra resources to … Read More >
Kitchen Cabinet: Capacity Needs
Hasan Williams, Youth Leader at Foster Youth In Action presents a group concept on Capacity Needs in Philanthropy; a group discussion follows. See … Read More >
Kitchen Cabinet: Current Opportunities and Barriers to Racial Justice
Dmitri Holtzman, Director of Education Justice Campaigns at the Center for Popular Democracy and Jennifer Arwade, Co-Executive Director of Communities United present on … Read More >
Funders for Social Justice
Click here to access a comprehensive list of social justice funders, how to apply for their grants and application deadlines. We’d like to … Read More >
Kitchen Cabinet Final Report
In June of 2019, AFF invited more than 20 of its grantee partners to explore the current state of the youth justice and … Read More >
The Andrus Family Fund Announces New Director, Manuela Arciniegas
The Andrus Family Fund (AFF) announced today that Manuela Arciniegas has been appointed director, after serving as interim director since January 2019. In … Read More >
Out of The Margins: Getting Back Home
Subscribe to Out of the Margins on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud or Stitcher.
Out of the Margins: We Thrive When We Matter
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Succeeding Together: Meet Niara, AFF’s Summer Intern
Niara Nelson joins the AFF staff as this year’s summer intern. Learn more about her below. Tell us about yourself. I am a … Read More >
Grantee Spotlight: Ruby Ruiz of Communities United/VOYCE
A space to build youth power and ignite movements *This was recorded/written prior to the passage of the HB 2084 bill in the … Read More >
Making Philanthropy Work for Everyone
AFF board member C’Ardiss “CC” Gardner Gleser reflects on how white supremacy shows up in philanthropy and the resiliency of communities of color … Read More >
Out of the Margins: Disrupting Disruptive Systems
Subscribe to Out of the Margins on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud or Stitcher.
Grantee Spotlight: Danielle Sered of Common Justice
Danielle Sered envisioned, launched and directs grantee partner Common Justice. The organization develops and advances solutions to violence that transform the lives of … Read More >
Andrea Vazquez Jimenez on Removing Cops from Schools in Toronto
We believe removing law enforcement from schools is a step in the right direction to fostering a safe learning environment for young people … Read More >
An Unprecedented Opportunity
An Unprecedented Opportunity: Organizing Next Generation Donors and Trustees to Practice Effective Change Philanthropy The Surdna Foundation and Andrus Family Fund recently commissioned … Read More >
Monique Morris of the National Black Women’s Justice Institute: PUSHOUT
Listen as President and founder of the National Black Women’s Justice Institute, Dr. Monique Morris, discusses her groundbreaking new book ‘PUSHOUT: The Criminalization … Read More >
New Year Announcements
“When you learn, teach. When you get, give.” – Maya Angelou Happy New Year! It is with great pleasure that we usher in yet … Read More >
Out Of The Margins: Together We Will Remember Who We Are
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A Bittersweet Departure
I write today with bittersweet news. After an incredible almost six years at the Andrus Family Fund, I have decided that it is time … Read More >
Learning Session: Immigration & Juvenile Justice Intersections
AFF’s learning sessions are an opportunity to highlight the work of our grantees and other leaders in the field, as well as a … Read More >
Learning Session: LGBTQ Youth Impacted by the Juvenile Justice and Foster Care Systems
AFF’s learning sessions are an opportunity to highlight the work of our grantees and other leaders in the field, as well as a … Read More >
Learning Session: The Role that Trauma-Informed Interventions Play Working with Police
AFF’s learning sessions are an opportunity to highlight the work of our grantees and other leaders in the field, as well as a … Read More >
Andrea Vasquez Jimenez of LAEN Toronto at Education Anew: Shifting Justice 2018
Andrea Vasquez Jimenez, Co-Director of LAEN talks about co-creating spaces for community building and working towards liberation at Education Anew: Shifting Justice 2018.
Antonio Travis of Black Man Rising and FFLIC at Education Anew: Shifting Justice 2018
Antonio Travis, Founder of Black Man Rising and Families and Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children, speaks about Hurricane Katrina, racism, and renewal at … Read More >
Maricruz Rivera Clemente of COPI at Education Anew: Shifting Justice 2018
Maricruz Rivera Clemente of COPI speaks about defending the Puerto Rican environment and community at Education Anew: Shifting Justice 2018.
Ronsha A. Dickerson and Zakiya Ansari at Education Anew: Shifting Justice 2018
Ronsha A. Dickerson, National Organizer for Journey for Justice Alliance, and Zakiya Ansari, Advocacy Director for Alliance for Quality Education, share their thoughts … Read More >
Tania Rosario-Méndez of Taller Salud at Education Anew: Shifting Justice 2018
Tania Rosario Méndez of Taller Salud, a community-based feminist organization founded in 1979, speaks about operationalizing resiliency and finding the tools needed to … Read More >
Marién Torres López of Taller Tambuyé at Education Anew: Shifting Justice 2018
Marién is the founder of Taller Tambuyé, an organization that celebrates the art of Puerto Rican bomba—a musical form that is native to … Read More >
Education Anew: Shifting Justice 2018 Convenes Education and Youth Justice Organizers, Advocates and Funders in San Juan, Puerto Rico One Year After Hurricane Maria
Education Anew: Shifting Justice 2018 (EASJ2018) is a unique education and youth justice convening co-hosted by Andrus Family Fund (AFF) and the Communities … Read More >
Out Of The Margins: Planting the Seeds of Liberation
In this episode, we speak with Xiomara Caro Díaz, Director of New Organizing Projects at the Center for Popular Democracy and Advisory Committee … Read More >
Author Mayra Santos-Febres at Education Anew: Shifting Justice 2018
Puerto Rican author Mayra Santos-Febres shares her vision for the future of Puerto Rico and why Hurricane Maria was actually a blessing at … Read More >
Education Anew: Shifting Justice 2018 Trailer
Enjoy the trailer for Education Anew: Shifting Justice 2018!
Out Of The Margins: Speaking Truth to Power with Youth Radio
If culture is the pursuit of truth, then young people need a platform to speak their truth. In this episode we speak with … Read More >
Out Of The Margins: Protecting Immigrant Children in New York
At least 35,000 children immigrate to the United States every year as unaccompanied minors. Many of those children end up in New York … Read More >
Learning Session: Career Development, Entrepreneurship & Economic Supports for Vulnerable Youth
AFF’s learning sessions are an opportunity to highlight the work of our grantees and other leaders in the field, as well as a … Read More >
Out Of The Margins: Transformational Solidarity in the Immigrant Rights Movement
We speak with immigration advocates Rose Cahn of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center and Marielena Hincapié of the National Immigration Law Center about … Read More >
Out Of The Margins: Fighting Harsh Immigration in Arizona
Frederick Douglass told us that “if there is no struggle, there is no progress.” Our guests in this episode of Out Of The … Read More >
The Surdna Foundation and Andrus Family Fund Pledge $800,000 to Next-Generation Social Justice Philanthropy
21 national organizations awarded grants, advancing the Foundation’s commitment to social justice values as part of its Centennial grantmaking. The Surdna Foundation, in … Read More >
#HayOtraForma: Another Way to Realize Justice
Over the past few years, I have tried to make #HayOtraFroma trend on social media. This hashtag is so relevant to me because … Read More >
Out Of The Margins: No Child Is Incorrigible
The United States is the only country in the world that sentences children to life without the possibility of parole. Today’s guest is … Read More >
Out Of The Margins: Reducing Violent Crime Without Prison
Today’s guest on Out Of The Margins is Danielle Sered. She and Leticia discuss how Danielle’s organization, Common Justice, develops and advances solutions … Read More >
Out Of The Margins: Stop Sentencing Kids to Life in Prison
In 2012, the Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life-without-parole sentences for children are unconstitutional. However, more than a dozen states still sentence kids … Read More >
“El Negro Bembón:” Puerto Rico’s Invisibility Crisis Before and After Hurricane Maria
I am yet again drawn to the musical wisdom of Afro-Boriqua singer Ismael Rivera and composer Cortijo as I reflect on a national … Read More >
Out Of The Margins: Crisis in Puerto Rico
*Recorded on October 6, 2017* Two weeks after Hurricane Maria ravaged the United States territory of Puerto Rico, the island is experiencing a … Read More >
Applying Our Purpose Through Our Board
At AFF, we’re constantly looking for innovative ways to better serve our grantee partners. Our grantmaking process and new capacity-building program are examples … Read More >
“Las Caras Lindas”: A reflection on Charlottesville and white supremacy
My favorite rendition of the song, “Las Caras Lindas,” is by Afro-Boricua icon and singer Ismael Rivera. Translated literally, he calls us to love … Read More >
100 Years of Philanthropy and Connection
This year, we are thrilled to celebrate the centennial of the Surdna Foundation, Andrus Family Fund’s parent foundation. AFF’s Program Associate, Jennifer Kaizer, … Read More >
Questions We Need to Ask in Philanthropy
A couple of months ago, while the weather was still cold, I jumped on an Amtrak train headed to an even colder Boston … Read More >
Capacity Building Through Deep Listening: Introducing SOAR
After more than three years of deep listening to our grantee partners, we are excited to launch a new capacity-building program called SOAR: … Read More >
Coming Together for Justice: Lisa Thurau
Lisa Thurau, Executive Director of Strategies for Youth, discusses youth organizing, overcoming oppression, and compromising in an unjust society at Education Anew: Shifting … Read More >
Coming Together for Justice: Kim McGill
Organizer Kim McGill of the Youth Justice Coalition shares her thoughts on the importance and challenges of “freedom fighter” work at Education Anew: … Read More >
Coming Together for Justice: Liz Ryan
Liz Ryan of Youth First Initiative talks about the injustices of youth prisons as a catalyst for why they should be abolished at … Read More >
I Choose Love To Build A Stronger Movement
“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Over the … Read More >
Coming Together for Justice: Tavon Bridges
Youth organizer Tavon Bridges of Youth Organizing Institute shares his thoughts on organizing strategies and his dreams for a just world at Education … Read More >
Education Anew: Shifting Justice – Coming Together for Justice: Allison Brown & Leticia Peguero
Allison Brown of the Communities for Just Schools Fund and Leticia Peguero of the Andrus Family Fund share their thoughts on youth justice … Read More >
Education Anew: Shifting Justice 2016 Trailer
On November 4-6, 2016 hundreds of advocates, funders, organizers and youth gathered in Memphis, TN for one purpose: Shifting Justice. This is the … Read More >
Out Of The Margins Podcast: Realizing Youth Justice
In today’s podcast, we hear from Liz Ryan of Youth First about her advocacy work to close youth prisons and realize justice for … Read More >
Out Of The Margins Podcast, Episode 2: Education Justice is Racial Justice
Today’s podcast features Allison Brown, “peaceful warrior” and Executive Director of the Communities for Just Schools Fund. Listen as she unpacks the injustices that disproportionately … Read More >
Education Anew: Shifting Justice 2016 – Kim McGill Interview
Kim McGill of Youth Justice Coalition speaks about what being an organizer really is at Education Anew: Shifting Justice 2016.
Education Anew: Shifting Justice 2016 Hackathon Day 1
A group of young collaborators brainstorm app ideas at Education Anew: Shifting Justice 2016’s Hackathon Day 1.
Tia Martinez at Education Anew: Shifting Justice 2016
Tia Martinez of Forward Change Consulting shares her wish for the world for her children and grandchildren with us at Education Anew: Shifting … Read More >
Out Of The Margins Podcast, Episode 1: Philanthropy Gets Real
Andrus Family Fund Board Chair Kim Kaupe talks about the intersection of philanthropy and business, living your mission and how AFF is breaking … Read More >
Lessons Learned: Reflections on PolicyLink’s Equity Summit 2015, Part 2
Last week I highlighted some of the major lessons I learned at PolicyLink’s Equity Summit. Below are a few additional insights that will … Read More >
Lessons Learned: Reflections on PolicyLink’s Equity Summit 2015
In October of 2015, I packed my bags and headed to sunny California to join over 3000 organizers, policy advocates, artists, academics, entrepreneurs, … Read More >
Creating Opportunity: Working Together to Build an Inclusive Workforce
In our last blog post, we identified the skills gap that contributes to America’s double digit youth unemployment rate. We also saw how … Read More >
Creating Opportunity: Connecting 5.5 Million Youth to Careers
In our last blog series, we saw how our grantee partners are working together to disrupt inequity in New Orleans in order to … Read More >
Disrupting Inequity to Heal, not Harm: Transforming NOLA’s Juvenile Justice System
Previously in this blog series, we learned how grantee partners BreakOUT! and YEP are creating a more equitable New Orleans through their individual … Read More >
Disrupting Inequity to Heal, not Harm: Empowering NOLA’s LGBTQ Youth
In our last blog post, we saw how grantee partner YEP is disrupting the structural inequities affecting opportunity youth in New Orleans. Now, … Read More >
Disrupting Inequity to Heal, not Harm: Empowering NOLA’s Opportunity Youth
In our last blog series, we identified grantee partners in New York and California who incorporated healing, hope and care into their program … Read More >
Healing, Hope and Care: Models for Transforming the Lives of Vulnerable Youth, Part III
Andrus Family Fund recognizes that in order to really transform vulnerable youth, healing, hope and care must be intrinsic to an organization’s model. … Read More >
Healing, Hope and Care: Models for Transforming the Lives of Vulnerable Youth, Part II
The Andrus Family Fund recognizes the role that healing, hope and care play in developing young people as well as fostering strong, vibrant … Read More >
Healing, Hope and Care: Models for Transforming the Lives of Vulnerable Youth
Children and youth do not grow up in programs and services; they are nurtured in healthy, vibrant communities. However, in order for them … Read More >
New Partners in Change
“Philanthropy is commendable, but it must not cause the philanthropist to overlook the circumstances of economic injustice which make philanthropy necessary.” – Dr. … Read More >
Reimagining the Power of Young People
In order for us as poor and oppressed people to become part of a society that is meaningful, the system under which we … Read More >
A New Year’s Reflection on Ferguson and Staten Island
As we paused this week to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his incredible legacy, we also paused to consider all of … Read More >
A Time For Change
I’m excited to announce a new chapter in the history of the Andrus Family Fund. As Mother Teresa once said, “I alone cannot … Read More >