Building a Vibrant and Welcoming Chicago
A message from Elizabeth Walder
My husband, Joseph, and I opened the doors to the Walder Foundation in 2018 to address critical issues and contribute to the vitality and well-being of communities in Chicago and around the world. Our focus areas of science innovation, environmental sustainability, the performing arts, migration and immigrant communities, and Jewish life are a reflection of our lifelong passions and professional interests.
We could never have imagined that two short years later, the global COVID-19 pandemic would have such a devastating impact on our communities, our city and our world. The losses of life and economic opportunity for our residents and the significant financial harm to vital organizations are profound and troubling.
This crisis has profoundly impacted the urgency of our work. Our response has included direct support and participation in a number of collaborative funds aimed at supporting artists and arts organizations; food systems and hunger relief; environmental justice organizations; and Jewish human service organizations and families. We have also made direct grants to support PPE for health clinics and COVID testing sites; the needs of immigrant communities; and science and technology education related to the pandemic.
Sustaining our communities and helping organizations develop resilience to survive this crisis while also looking to the future has never been more urgent. You can learn more about how we are supporting individuals and organizations during this time on our dedicated COVID-19 response page.
Our ability to quickly adapt to the evolving needs of our community is a core value that we plan to carry through all our grantmaking and programs. As the Foundation grows and we sharpen our focus, we are committed to learning from grantees and partners, exploring new ideas, and evolving so that we can continue to respond to emerging issues and pressing needs.
As this crisis evolves and eventually abates, we will continue to respond while also advancing our work in our program areas. I invite you to explore our website to read more about our mission, program areas, support for diverse organizations, and our commitment to uplifting Chicago communities and our region’s contributions to the world.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Walder
President and Executive Director
Photo credit: Chris Hartlove
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