Our Mission
The mission of the Landau Family Foundation is to support communities and organizations working to advance social, racial, and economic justice through activism and the arts.
Our Values
COMMUNITY
We believe communities that sustain caring, empathic relationships are foundational in building a just society.
JUSTICE
We value the reign of justice and equity among individuals and communities such that the well-being of each requires the well-being of all. In our view, historic and institutionalized inequalities based on race, class, and gender pose major obstacles to establishing a rule of justice under which all inequities are challenged.
IMPACT
We value efforts and innovations that have a discernible impact and lead to positive social change.
INTEGRITY
We value acting with integrity, remaining true to oneself and one’s core values, even in the face of opposition, adversity, and risk.
Our Story
The Landau Family Foundation's story begins in 1955. Born from a profound concern about poverty and injustice, it was grounded in the belief that hardship and opportunity often exist side by side, and that philanthropy could serve as a bridge between the two. In the early years, the Foundation partnered with local Chicago groups as well as some internationally focused organizations that were working to protect civil liberties, build peace in the Middle East and worldwide, and to strengthen Jewish welfare and communal organizations. It was also involved in innovative ventures to address housing needs and reduce homelessness and to improve schools in struggling Chicago neighborhoods. The second generation of leadership has recognized the need to address larger systemic challenges. It has developed a broader vision of social equity and of the vital role of community organizing and advocacy in sustaining long-term, fundamental change. The Foundation partners with organizations that push for policies that advance racial and economic justice and ensure the rights of workers, immigrants, refugees and other marginalized groups. These groups are working to dismantle systemic barriers and create more equitable communities. The Foundation's most recent grantmaking also reflects the understanding that social change encompasses the full spectrum of human expression and community building. As we look to the future, we have also added the arts—performance, music, and visual—recognizing that creative expression serves as both a catalyst for creating connections and social change as a vital component of thriving communities. Today, nearly seventy years after its founding, the Landau Family Foundation maintains its core commitment to community development in Chicago while also following family members to Oakland, CA and establishing a presence there. Our evolving practice of philanthropy reflects our belief that this work requires both consistency of values and adaptability of methods, ensuring that each era’s unique challenges are met with innovative, community-centered solutions.
Our Founding Vision Endures
Our Foundation was established on the fundamental belief that sustainable social change occurs when we invest in the building blocks of human potential including safe housing, quality education, and equal opportunity for all. We have consistently emphasized the importance of collaborating with communities rather than merely providing resources to them. We believe that the most effective solutions emerge when Foundations are guided by local expertise, community knowledge, and grassroots innovation. As we continue to honor this founding vision, we remain committed to identifying and supporting initiatives that create multiplier effects—programs that not only address immediate needs, but also build capacity for sustained, community-driven change. Today, our expanded focus includes housing and workers' rights, social justice initiatives, and the arts as powerful vehicles for social transformation and community expression. Through each phase of our evolution, we maintain our founder's hope and belief: that strategic philanthropy has the power to create ripple effects of positive change that extend far beyond individual grants, touching lives and strengthening communities for generations to come.
Our Goals
Advance Social, Racial, and Economic Justice
Support Community Leaders and Organizations
Strengthen Communities in Chicago and Oakland