Change is in Sight
Together with my dear colleagues, I recently visited Chicago Architecture Center to experience their fascinating exhibit Flyway City: Architecture for a Flourishing Ecosystem. It was totally captivating! Designed by Chicago's own global architecture firm, Studio Gang (founded by renowned Chicago architect Jeanne Gang) and supported by Walder Foundation, the exhibit addresses a critical biodiversity issue: how to build urban habitats that protect birds from colliding with glass. This has become an intractable problem claiming the lives of over a billion birds annually in the U.S.

Leading a place-based foundation with a strong biodiversity portfolio, I was struck with just how much Chicago is naturally poised to lead on this challenge. Every spring and fall, millions of migrating birds fly directly over our city. The exhibit presents clear measures we can take to protect the abundant birdlife overhead. Through simple solutions, like placing markings on windows to make glass more visible, Chicagoans can help birds see a safe path as they navigate our urban landscape.

And just as marking a window allows a bird to clearly see the obstacle ahead and change course, the Jewish New Year arriving this weekend lets us do something similar. Rosh Hashanah is a holiday of introspection and self-reflection — a time to lend clear-sighted visibility to opportunities for personal change as we prepare to navigate the year ahead. To all who are celebrating, I send wishes for a Shana Tova, a sweet New Year filled with health, generosity, and success.

Seeing clearly is indeed a first step toward meaningful change, and that principle sits at the heart of our work at Walder Foundation. Many of the challenges facing our communities can be thoughtfully addressed once they are rigorously researched and understood. With clarity and insight, we can direct philanthropic investment toward solutions with real impact. I hope you enjoy the stories that follow, which show this principle in action across all the pillars we proudly support. 

Warmly, 

Elizabeth Walder, President & CEO 

Applications are now open for the 2027 Biota Awards, a program to fund early career researchers based in Illinois who seek to restore, protect, and conserve biodiversity locally and around the world. Walder Foundation aims to support the development and deployment of evidence-based, durable solutions to real world conservation challenges. The 2027 Biota Awards are exclusively focused on providing support for early career independent investigators. Learn more: Biota Awards website

On June 16-17, Walder Foundation's Platform Awardees gathered for a two-day training and peer-learning experience with MAP Fund's Scaffolding for Practicing Artists program. The gathering provided space for the awardees to reflect on their work, connect with peers, and explore strategies for sustaining creative, fulfilling careers. Coordinated convenings like this complement Walder Foundation's financial support of the artists. Photo credit: Erika Bracey

On July 22, 2026, Walder Foundation co-hosted a roundtable, Understanding Climate Migration in the Chicago Region, at Aspen Ideas: Climate, convening leaders from local government, philanthropy, planning, and immigrant-serving organizations. It was designed to launch a multisectoral conversation on how the Chicago region can prepare for climate migration, identify shared nomenclature, and connect local efforts to broader national and global conversations. Walder Foundation’s Florita Gunasekara co-chaired the discussion alongside Ryan Wilson of the Metropolitan Planning Council, with roundtable contributions from Juliana Kerr and Casey Sebetto also of Walder Foundation. Stay tuned for key takeaways and action steps, which will be shared in the near future.

On June 28, Mrs. Elizabeth Walder was a featured panelist at the Halikhot Olam Lah #2 Conference in Jerusalem, a gathering of students, graduates, educators, and leaders involved in advanced halacha learning programs for women. During the “Founders and Leaders” panel discussion, she shared insights on philanthropy, field-building, and supporting visionary leadership. Rabbanit Jennifer Raskas of Walder Foundation - Israel moderated the panel. Pictured left to right: Jenni Richton, Elizabeth Walder, Jennifer Raskas, and Kimberly Linn. Photo credit: Meir Elipur

With support from Walder Foundation and Schreiber Philanthropy, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs conducted a public opinion survey of Chicagoland residents to understand their views on immigration policies and impact of immigration in the region. Read the report and view the public program and discussion, moderated by Juliana Kerr of the Foundation, that was held on July 16. Pictured left to right: Juliana Kerr of Walder Foundation, Beatriz Ponce de León of City of Chicago, and Michele Kenfack of Chicago Urban League. Photo credit: Ana Miyares Photography 

The Foundation's Monica Chavez presented to fellow grants and data management professionals on July 22 at akoyaGO’s Empowered conference about Walder Foundation’s use of the grants management tool. Monica partnered with akoyaGO staff to present on use of akoyaGO’s portal to collect online proposals from prospective grantees, inspiring several colleagues from other foundations to reach out to learn more. Photo credit: Eli Sider/Sider Mill Video

Walder Foundation visited the Chicago Architecture Center's Flyway City: Architecture for a Flourishing Ecosystem exhibition on September 1. Sponsored by the Foundation, the exhibition showcases innovative ways cities can support migratory birds and create more flourishing ecosystems for people and wildlife alike. The exhibit runs through January 2027. Check it out!