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Walder Foundation

Annual Giving
$22.5M
Grant Range
$5K - $2.0M
Decision Time
5mo

Walder Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $22,500,000 (2023-2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 5-6 months
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $2,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Chicago metropolitan area with select global projects

Contact Details

Website: https://www.walderfoundation.org/

Email: Use contact form via website's "Stay Connected" page

Location: Skokie, Illinois

Program-Specific Inquiries: Organizations interested in funding opportunities should sign up for alerts on the foundation's website and select their area of interest

Overview

The Walder Foundation was established in 2018 by Joseph and Elizabeth Walder following the sale of Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT), a pioneering synthetic RNA and DNA technology company founded by Dr. Joseph Walder in 1987. The foundation, with assets of approximately $188 million and annual grantmaking of $22.5 million, operates as a private family foundation based in Skokie, Illinois. The foundation champions Chicago and invests in five strategic program areas: science innovation, environmental sustainability, performing arts, migration and immigrant communities, and Jewish life. Dr. Joseph Walder passed away in March 2024, leaving a legacy of scientific innovation and transformative philanthropy. The foundation's grantmaking is guided by Orthodox Jewish values of humility, optimism, unity, collaboration, and commitment to give back. Elizabeth Walder serves as President and CEO, emphasizing "outsized philanthropy"—achieving maximum impact through strategic, often substantial investments in aligned organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through two funding vehicles: the Walder Foundation and the Joseph and Elizabeth Walder Charitable Fund (a donor-advised fund at Fidelity Charitable).

Science Innovation

  • Focus: Scientific discovery, innovative life science applications, and translation of research to human health solutions
  • Grant Range: Not specified; varies by project
  • Recent Examples: Chicago Biomedical Consortium support, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School endowed professorship for dementia research, University of Chicago COVID vaccine research, undergraduate STEM research programs
  • Application: Invitation only; sign up for alerts selecting "Science Innovation"

Environmental Sustainability

  • Biota Awards: $300,000 over three years for early-career biodiversity researchers (2025 expanded to include postdoctoral scientists at $1.4M total)
  • Nature-Based Solutions: Support for functional environmental solutions addressing climate resilience and biodiversity
  • Recent Examples: 2024 Biota Awards to Dr. Sean Hoban (Morton Arboretum), Liza Lehrer (Lincoln Park Zoo), Dr. Gabriela Nunez-Mir (UIC); 2025 awards to Dr. Grace Burgin (UIC), Dr. Trinity Conn (Shedd Aquarium), Dr. Opale Coutant (Field Museum)
  • Application: Invitation only; concept notes accepted via online form; 6-8 weeks for applications, 2-3 months for review

Performing Arts

  • Platform Awards: Unrestricted $200,000 grants to individual performing artists (2024: $2.4M to 12 recipients in music, theater, dance, and interdisciplinary performance)
  • Organizational Grants: Project grants for capacity building and innovation (October 2025: $3M to 19 Chicago performing arts organizations)
  • Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations serving Chicago metropolitan area with annual budgets $100,000-$5,000,000
  • Application: Invitation only; concept notes accepted; organizations must have primary focus on performing arts

Migration and Immigrant Communities

  • Focus: Strengthening immigration legal services, improving migration narratives, catalyzing global engagement
  • Grant Range: Not specified
  • Funding Cycle: Two cycles annually; 6-8 weeks for submissions, 2-3 months for review
  • Application: Invitation only; concept notes accepted via online form

Jewish Life

  • Focus: Quality Jewish education (Orthodox schools), mental health and human services, security and combating antisemitism, leadership development
  • Commitment: Over $70 million committed to Jewish organizations since founding, with nearly $30 million for capital projects
  • Geographic Priority: Greater Chicago Metropolitan Region and select Israel projects
  • Recent Examples: Lubavitch Girls High School campus funding, Gratz College PhD fellowships for Orthodox women
  • Application: Invitation only; 6-8 weeks application window, 2-3 months for review

Priority Areas

  • Science: Regional bioeconomic growth, research capacity building, early-career researcher support, university-based research strengthening Chicago's position as a scientific hub
  • Environment: Urban nature-based solutions for flooding/air quality/climate adaptation, biodiversity research with global impact, conservation science
  • Arts: Thriving artists and creative workers, sustainable and equitable arts organizations, collaborative sector alignment
  • Migration: Legal services expansion, attorney pipeline development, narrative improvement through journalism and storytelling, positioning Chicago as migration policy leader
  • Jewish Life: Orthodox education excellence, mental health accessibility, community security, antisemitism combat, diverse leadership advancement

What They Don't Fund

Across All Programs:

  • Fundraising events
  • Political activities or lobbying groups
  • Religious activities (except within Jewish Life program)
  • Commercial ventures
  • Hate, discrimination, or intolerance

Performing Arts Exclusions:

  • General operating support
  • Youth-focused organizations
  • New work commissions

Environmental and Migration Programs Exclusions:

  • Basic social services
  • K-12 education
  • Individuals or freelance consultants
  • Land acquisition
  • Endowments
  • Debt reduction

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership:

  • Elizabeth Walder, President & CEO: Former immigration law firm director and IDT Chief Sustainability Officer; leads foundation with focus on "outsized philanthropy" and adaptability to community needs
  • Kate Coughlin, Chief Financial Officer: MBA from Kellogg/Northwestern; oversees financial operations
  • Tamar Snyder, Vice President of Communications: Former Senior Director at Jewish Communal Fund NY

Senior Program Leadership:

  • Dr. Candace Tebbenkamp, Program Director, Science Innovation: PhD in Molecular Genetics from University of Florida
  • Jack Westwood, Senior Program Director, Environmental Sustainability: PhD from University of Cambridge
  • Juliana Kerr, Senior Program Director, Migration & Immigrant Communities: 18-year Chicago Council on Global Affairs veteran
  • Jenni Richton, Program Director, Jewish Life: MBA and Master's in Jewish professional leadership from Brandeis
  • Ebony Chuukwu, Senior Program Officer, Performing Arts: Master's in Nonprofit Management from University of Chicago

Trustees: Elizabeth Walder, Alan Siegal, and the late Dr. Joseph Walder (1946-2024)

Elizabeth Walder on Foundation Philosophy: "Striving to achieve 'outsized philanthropy' in our grantmaking and awards programs is a hallmark of the Walder Foundation." She emphasizes that "our ability to quickly adapt to the evolving needs of our community is a core value we plan to carry through all grantmaking and programs, committing to learning from grantees and partners, exploring new ideas, and evolving to respond to emerging issues and pressing needs."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does NOT have a public application process. All funding opportunities are by invitation only.

How Invitations Work:

  1. Foundation staff identify organizations that align with their strategic objectives
  2. Organizations may submit one-paragraph concept notes through the online form on specific program pages
  3. Staff contact organizations with strong alignment to invite formal applications
  4. Some programs use a two-step process: letter of inquiry, then full proposal (if invited)

To Get on Their Radar:

  • Sign up for email alerts on the foundation's "Stay Connected" page
  • Select specific program areas of interest to receive notifications when grant cycles open
  • Submit a concise concept note (one paragraph) through the appropriate program page if your organization aligns with their priorities
  • Monitor the foundation's website and news section for announced grant opportunities

Application Requirements:

  • 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status required (qualifying fiscal sponsors acceptable)
  • Organizations complete online applications when invited
  • Research-focused applications may require specialized information beyond standard forms
  • Sample application templates available on website

Decision Timeline

Standard Timeline: 5-6 months from submission of letter of inquiry or full proposal to final decision

Review Process:

  1. Program officer review
  2. Chief Financial Officer review
  3. CEO review
  4. External subject matter experts (for certain proposals)
  5. Final approval by CEO

Due Diligence:

  • Organizations may be asked to host site visits
  • Interviews with CEO to assess financial health, governance, key staff, and board leadership
  • Site visits and interviews do not guarantee funding approval

Success Rates

The foundation made 207-208 grants in 2023-2024 from a $22.5 million annual budget. Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The highly selective, invitation-only model suggests competitive application processes within invited cohorts.

Reapplication Policy

General Policy: Most grants are project-based and not automatically renewable. Multi-year grants are not available across all program areas.

Renewals: When grants conclude, organizations must submit full re-applications to be considered for additional funding. The foundation states that "grants generally will not be renewed beyond the stated period" in award letters.

Application Success Factors

The Walder Foundation looks for organizations that demonstrate alignment with their mission and strategic priorities. Based on their documented practices and program descriptions:

Alignment with Strategic Objectives: The foundation emphasizes that they "have established strategic objectives for each of our funding areas." Organizations should demonstrate deep understanding of these specific objectives—whether advancing Chicago as a scientific hub, supporting Orthodox Jewish education, protecting biodiversity, or championing performing artists.

Measurable Outcomes and Impact: The foundation supports organizations that "focus on measurable outcomes" and can demonstrate tangible results aligned with program goals.

Collaboration and Sector-Building: The foundation is "driven by the urgency to foster sustainability and resilience in the sectors they invest in, supporting efforts to create efficiencies, build capacity and nurture collaborations for lasting impact." Proposals should emphasize collaborative approaches and sector-wide benefit, not just individual organizational advancement.

Innovation and Creativity: The foundation seeks organizations that demonstrate "creativity and innovation" in their approaches. They commit to "exploring new ideas" and are open to novel strategies.

Chicago Focus with Global Relevance: While grantmaking is "concentrated primarily in the Chicago metropolitan area," they support "select projects around the globe that align with their values." Clearly articulate Chicago connections while demonstrating broader significance.

Specific Program Success Factors:

  • Performing Arts: Organizations should serve the Chicago metropolitan area with budgets $100,000-$5,000,000, demonstrate commitment to racial and financial equity, and support working artists and cultural laborers within a sustainable sector
  • Environmental Sustainability: Early-career researchers should show potential for local and global biodiversity impact; projects should employ nature-based solutions with functional environmental and social benefits
  • Migration: Organizations must serve immigrant, refugee, and asylum-seeker communities in Chicago; projects should advance legal services, narrative improvement, or global policy leadership
  • Jewish Life: Priority for Orthodox education, mental health services, security, and leadership development in Greater Chicago or Israel; demonstrate responsiveness to community needs
  • Science: Projects should strengthen Chicago's scientific community, build research capacity, support translation to real-world applications, or advance bioeconomic growth

What Makes Applications Stand Out: The foundation values humility, optimism, unity, and collaboration rooted in their Orthodox Jewish faith. Organizations that demonstrate these values while showing adaptability to evolving community needs are likely to resonate. Elizabeth Walder emphasizes their commitment to "learning from grantees and partners" and "quickly adapt[ing] to the evolving needs of our community."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only model: Do not submit unsolicited full proposals; instead, sign up for alerts and submit concept notes when appropriate. Monitor the website for announced opportunities.

  • Outsized grants for aligned priorities: The foundation makes substantial investments ($200,000-$2,000,000) when organizations strongly align with strategic objectives. If you fit their priorities, they fund at transformational levels.

  • Chicago-centric with strategic exceptions: Demonstrate strong Chicago connections—especially serving the metropolitan area—though global projects aligned with their values (particularly in Israel for Jewish Life) may be considered.

  • Long decision timeline: Budget 5-6 months from initial inquiry to decision. Plan your funding timeline accordingly and don't expect quick turnarounds.

  • Collaboration and sector impact are critical: Frame proposals around sector-wide benefit, collaborations, and building ecosystem capacity rather than isolated organizational growth. The foundation seeks to elevate entire fields.

  • Program-specific eligibility matters: For performing arts, budget size ($100K-$5M) and arts focus are strict requirements. For Jewish Life, Orthodox education and Greater Chicago/Israel geography are priorities. Know your program's specific parameters.

  • Values alignment: Organizations that demonstrate humility, optimism, unity, collaboration, and adaptability to community needs will resonate with the foundation's Orthodox Jewish-rooted philosophy and grantmaking approach.

References

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