We ask all Durfee Fellowship applicants, “Why do you do what you do?”
Here’s our answer to that question, in the form of our mission statement.
Mission Statement
The Durfee Foundation invests in people and possibilities in Los Angeles County, where the foundation’s history lies and where funding needs are great.
We build trust-based relationships with individuals and organizations that share our ideals of creativity, risk-taking, equity, integrity, fiscal care, and continuous learning.
We nurture deep connections by building networks beyond traditional boundaries. We try to identify where we can make the greatest difference. We work with partners to build networks that may leverage new opportunities.
Durfee is a patient grantmaker. We recognize that results often unfold over time.
We are inspired by our founders, Dorothy Durfee Avery and R. Stanton Avery, whose legacy of openness and curiosity moves the foundation to seek new ways to meet the needs of the Los Angeles community.