Dear supporters, partners, and friends, 

Have you ever stopped to think about safe, clean water? It is central to our existence and essential for our communities. While we may not think about it that often, there are populations around the world whose experience with water is characterized by scarcity and insecurity. Their lack of reliable access to clean water harms their health and impedes basic activities of daily living. 

That is why I became an early funder for the important work of Sera Young, Ph.D. Sera and her team at Northwestern University have developed a transformative survey tool, called the Water Insecurity Experiences (WISE) Scales, to measure the human experience of water insecurity. Today, WISE Scales data are informing water practices and policies across more than 60 countries. 

I met Sera in 2024, at the early stages of her WISE project. I believed in her confidence, her passion, and her comprehensive project plan. Here was an innovative leader with a lot of the right stuff. When providing her project with its initial funding, it created a major ripple effect, opening doors to more sources of support and new opportunities. Two years later, I am gratified to see the global impact of taking that initial plunge to support Sera’s vision. 

This is an example of what I call the philanthropic Nachshon effect — named for the Biblical character who, according to Jewish tradition, jumped into the Red Sea before it famously split to reveal a way forward. By jumping in early in support of promising people and ideas, we too can help forge new pathways ahead. 

In this newsletter, you will learn of promising individuals and organizations that are: 

• advancing structural biology research; 
• leading community-wide stormwater management initiatives; 
• expanding legal supports for immigrant and refugee communities; 
• enriching neighborhoods through artistic and cultural innovation; and 
• strengthening food access and providing safe shelter to those who need it most. 

As you read about Sera and others, consider how you might support the way forward for someone’s worthy aspirations and vision. Your help could be financial, or it could be an offer of mentorship, an invitation to a gathering, or simply an encouraging word. Your generosity of spirit could make a spectacular impact on someone’s life. And you never know what new destinies might be revealed. 

Warmly, 

Elizabeth Walder
President & CEO 

Walder Foundation invites letters of intent for early-stage research projects that leverage synthetic biology to engineer solutions to challenges that affect people and the systems on which they rely. This includes advances that improve human health and well-being, strengthen environmental and agricultural systems, enable new approaches to materials and manufacturing, or otherwise expand the capacity of engineered biology to deliver public benefit. Learn more about this opportunity.

Secrets of the Scroll: The Hidden Messages of Megillat Esther, a 20-episode podcast hosted by renowned educator Rabbanit Shani Taragin and powered by Walder Foundation in collaboration with Matan and World Mizrachi, began in January 2025. The idea for the podcast emerged from a meaningful conversation between Rabbanit Shani and Mrs. Elizabeth Walder, during which they explored ways to elevate and disseminate women’s Torah scholarship and to expand its impact. Read more and tune in!

Walder Foundation's Lighting the Way: A Philanthropic Guide to Supporting Migration for a Welcoming Chicago continues to be available for download.

This comprehensive guide is designed for private funders, nonprofit leaders, civic partners, and individual donors who want to better understand and support the migration ecosystem in the Chicago region. Photo credit: Ana Miyares.

Jenni Richton, Program Director, Jewish Life, shared graduation remarks on behalf of Walder Foundation at the International Halacha Scholars Program (IHSP) December ceremony, reflecting on the Foundation’s multi-year partnership with Ohr Torah Stone and its investment in women’s Torah leadership. The event brought together IHSP graduates, their families, and the senior leadership of Ohr Torah Stone, including Rabbi Katriel Brander and program faculty. Photo credit: Maayan Shoshani Markowitz. 

On February 5, Elizabeth Kix, Director of Communications, completed the Global Thought Leadership Institute's course requirements to earn the designation of Certified Thought Leadership Producer. Learnings will be applied to help the Foundation standardize and elevate thought leadership practice, production, and promotion.

On February 13, the Biota Awardee community gathered at Portal Innovations in Chicago for a full day of networking, learning, and exchange. Programming featured a workshop with the Illinois Environmental Council and interactive, peer-to-peer breakout sessions. The convening sparked rich dialogue and new ideas across the cohort. Photo credit: Bold Bison.

Over the next few months, Juliana Kerr, Senior Program Director, Migration and Immigrant Communities, is participating in Communicating Across Divides, a nationwide training for philanthropic leaders. Convened by the Council on Foundations, the cohort will be trained with Resetting the Table’s comprehensive framework for building civic culture while addressing strong differences. This experience builds on her previous participation in the Council on Foundations and Greater Good Science Center’s 2024 Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort.