What Walder Foundation does

Walder Foundation is a Chicago-based private family foundation established in 2018 by Joseph and Elizabeth Walder using proceeds from the sale of Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT), the synthetic RNA and DNA provider Joseph Walder founded in 1987. The foundation operates as a grantmaking organization across five programmatic focus areas: Science Innovation, Environmental Sustainability, Performing Arts, Migration and Immigrant Communities, and Jewish Life, with a stated mission to uplift Chicago communities and elevate regional contributions globally. Its core "products" are competitive grant programs (Biota Awards for biodiversity postdoctoral researchers, Platform Awards for midcareer performing artists, Walder Ph.D. Fellowship for Orthodox Women at Gratz College) alongside direct organizational grants and collaborative funding initiatives such as the Arts for Illinois Relief Fund and Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund.

The foundation's GTM is event-driven and application-based: it issues Requests for Proposals through formal programs, accepts applications, and engages potential grantees through fireside conversations, Demo Days, and regional showcases. Distribution is regional (Chicago metropolitan area and broader Midwest) with select international grants (Israel, Johns Hopkins). The technology stack is not applicable in a traditional sense — Walder Foundation is a philanthropic vehicle rather than a software or product company. Documented grant commitments include 195 COVID-19 response grants totaling ~$31M, $3.6M in Israel emergency grants (2023), nearly $3M to 19 performing arts organizations (October 2025), $2.4M in Platform Awards, over $1.4M in Biota Awards (2025), and landmark funding for the ~$14M Devorah Leah Campus housing Lubavitch Girls High School. Following Joseph Walder's death in March 2024, Elizabeth Walder continues as President and CEO, supported by a small team of 11-50 employees including program directors across each focus area.

Name

Walder Foundation

Legal name

Walder Foundation

Website

https://walderfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Walder Foundation is a Chicago-based private family foundation established in 2018 from the IDT sale proceeds, awarding grants across science innovation, environmental sustainability, performing arts, immigration, and Jewish life, primarily serving the Chicago region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Family Foundation

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI), Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Family foundation grants
• Philanthropic grantmaking
• Nonprofit funding programs
• Science research grants
• Arts funding programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Skokie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grant-Making: The Walder Foundation operates as a private family foundation that distributes grants to nonprofit organizations and institutions aligned with its five focus areas: science innovation, environmental sustainability, performing arts, migration and immigrant communities, and Jewish life. The foundation was established using proceeds from the 2018 sale of Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT), founded by Joseph Walder.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Walder Foundation is a private family foundation that distributes grants and programmatic funding to nonprofit organizations across five focus areas: Science Innovation, Environmental Sustainability, Performing Arts, Migration and Immigrant Communities, and Jewish Life. It operates competitive award programs (Biota Awards, Platform Awards, Walder Ph.D. Fellowship) and provides direct grants to nonprofit partners, primarily serving the Chicago region. The foundation was capitalized with proceeds from the 2018 sale of Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT).

Product overview

Walder Foundation is a Chicago-based family foundation that operates grant programs and initiatives across five focus areas rather than a unified software product. Its core programs include the Biota Awards (biodiversity research fellowships), Platform Awards (performing arts grants), and programmatic funding in Science Innovation, Environmental Sustainability, Performing Arts, Migration and Immigrant Communities, and Jewish Life. These programs function as the foundation's primary offerings, each managed as distinct initiatives with their own application processes, funding structures, and programmatic goals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Platform Awards: A program providing midcareer performing artists with financial stability through unrestricted grants and professional development opportunities.
• Biota Awards

Products and services

• Biota Awards

Quantifiable outcome

• 195 grants totaling $31 million in COVID-19 response
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered major, flagship and minor.

• Nucleate ChicagomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent-led nonprofit organization supporting life science entrepreneurship in the Midwest. Walder Foundation provides funding and support for Nucleate Chicago's Activator Program, Eco-Track, Demo Days, and ecosystem building activities. Supported 38 student-led ventures, 6 companies incorporated, $17M raised.
• MAP FundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration providing MAP Fund's Scaffolding for Practicing Artists (SPA) programming to Walder Foundation's Platform Awardees. MAP Fund has granted over $40 million to support 1,600+ live performance projects since 1988.
• University of Illinois ChicagomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for Biota Award recipient Grace Burgin working on prairie wildflower conservation research.
• Shedd AquariummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for Biota Award recipient Trinity Conn working on coral reef restoration genomics research.
• Field Museum of Natural HistorymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for Biota Award recipients Opale Coutant (freshwater conservation in Guyana) and Amanda Grunwald (tropical bat communities) working on biodiversity research.
• Lincoln Park ZoomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for Biota Award recipient Miguel Jimenez working on avian migratory stopover research linking to urban equity.
• The Morton ArboretummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for Biota Award recipient Nicholas Medina working on soil biodiversity for urban tree health in Chicago.
• Gratz CollegeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Walder Ph.D. Fellowship for Orthodox Women - fully funded executive doctorate in Jewish studies. First cohort 2025 with 15-16 women; second cohort 2026 with 9 women.
• Ohr Torah StonemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for International Halakha Scholars Program (IHSP) - four-year program training Orthodox women in Jewish law scholarship. 19 women graduated in first cohort.
• Upward CommunitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health support organization for Jewish youth and families. Walder Foundation helped name and develop the Circle of Support model; support for new Lincolnwood facility opening January 2026.
• TheDream.USmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational scholarship program for Dreamers ineligible for federal aid. Walder Foundation provides funding support; TheDream.US has awarded 12,000 scholarships and produced 4,500+ graduates.
• Lubavitch Girls High School (LGHS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandmark funding for Devorah Leah Campus - new high school building and shul in Chicago. $14 million project.
• Science History InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding provided to acquire the Georg Bredig Archive - collection of personal correspondence and scientific documents of Jewish scientist during Nazi era.
• Jerusalem College of TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for Torah and Technology Research Center addressing halachic implications of modern technology including cultured meat, AI, and digital communication.
• Arts for Illinois Relief FundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative COVID-19 relief fund for arts workers and organizations. Walder Foundation participates as funding partner in public-private partnership with City of Chicago, State of Illinois.
• Chicago Community COVID-19 Response FundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative fund with Chicago Community Trust and United Way to provide flexible resources to community organizations during pandemic.
• Johns Hopkins University - Bailey LabmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRISPR research funding for Associate Professor Scott Bailey studying structure and mechanics of CRISPR systems. Support includes cryo-electron microscopy equipment.
• Alianza AmericasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of immigrant-serving organizations. Walder Foundation support enabled pivot to virtual programming and capacity building for 40+ member organizations.
• Upwardly GlobalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization helping skilled immigrants and refugees bridge career gaps. Walder Foundation support expanded Chicago operations and policy advocacy for licensing reform.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• MacArthur Foundation: Chicago-based, large-scale philanthropic foundation supporting multiple program areas including science, arts, and community development. Closest large-incumbent peer given shared Chicago base, broad multi-area grantmaking model, and similar scale of operations.
• Mott Foundation: Large family foundation with multi-area programmatic focus including education, environment, and civil society. Comparable to Walder in family-foundation DNA and program-area breadth, though larger and more national.
• Simons Foundation: Major family foundation with deep investments in life sciences, mathematics, and environmental research. Comparable to Walder's science innovation focus, including support for early-career researchers and basic/translational science.
• Hewlett Foundation: Major family foundation with strong science and environmental grantmaking portfolios. Relevant as a science-research grantmaking peer, particularly for Walder's science innovation and Biota Awards work.

Direct peers

• Joyce Foundation: Chicago-based private foundation focused on the Midwest region with program areas spanning arts/culture, environment, and equity — a near-direct comparable to Walder in regional orientation and multi-vertical grantmaking structure.
• Spencer Foundation: Chicago-based foundation focused on education research grantmaking. Comparable in Chicago footprint, program-driven grantmaking model, and emphasis on academic/research funding — particularly relevant to Walder's science innovation and fellowship programs.
• Polk Bros Foundation: Chicago-based family foundation supporting arts, education, and community well-being. Highly comparable as a Chicago-anchored family foundation with multi-area grantmaking and similar scale.
• Prince Charitable Trusts: Chicago-based family foundation funding arts, education, environment, and community needs. Directly comparable to Walder in Chicago regional focus, family-foundation structure, and multi-program approach.

Regional players

• Chicago Community Trust: Chicago's leading community foundation coordinating regional COVID-19 response and arts relief funds in which Walder participated. Comparable as a Chicago-anchored grantmaking institution, though structured as a public community foundation rather than a private family foundation.

Emerging players

• MAP Fund: National performing arts grantmaker that has partnered with Walder's Platform Awards. Comparable as a peer in the performing arts funding space and as a direct program collaborator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/walderfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/walder-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Walder Foundation