OUR FUNDING

Our grantmaking is focused on five program areas aligned with our founders’ personal and professional interests, and our collective desire to build a more vibrant and enduring future for our city and our world.

Within each program area, we are committed to learning from grantees and partners, exploring new ideas, and evolving our focus to respond to emerging issues and pressing needs.

We are also driven by the urgency to foster sustainability and resilience in the sectors in which we invest. We support efforts to create efficiencies, build capacity and nurture collaborations for lasting impact.

Read about our grantmaking practices.

  • Does the Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?

    • We have established strategic objectives for each of our funding areas and do not accept unsolicited proposals at this time. If you have been invited to apply for funding and have further questions about the status of your application, please contact your program officer.

  • Who is eligible to receive funding from the Foundation?

    • The Foundation generally limits its grants to organizations with Section 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status, including qualifying fiscal sponsors.

  • How do I find out about funding opportunities?

    • Funding opportunities will be announced on our website and listed on the related funding priority page. If you’d like to be notified about new funding opportunities, please sign up to receive email from us.

  • How can I learn about the grants the Foundation has made?

    • You can read about the projects and organizations we support by exploring our funding priorities on our website.

  • My organization appears to fit within your funding priorities, how can I let the Foundation know about our work?

    • Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to unsolicited inquiries. If you’d like to be notified about new funding opportunities, please sign up to receive email, or check our website periodically.

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The Walders’ philanthropy is delivered through two vehicles: the Walder Foundation and the Joseph and Elizabeth Walder Charitable Fund, a donor-advised fund (DAF) at Fidelity Charitable. Most of the projects shown on the Walder Foundation’s website are funded through the Foundation. However, some projects may be funded through the Walder Charitable Fund and are identified as such.