About the Foundation
The Conru Art Foundation represents a new model for cultural philanthropy—one that prioritizes direct action, measurable impact, and the belief that art is essential infrastructure for human flourishing.
Our Origin Story
Founded in 2024 by technology entrepreneur Andrew Conru, the foundation emerged from a deeply personal conviction that art holds unique power to create the meaning and connection our society desperately needs.
After building some of the internet's largest social platforms, Andrew recognized a paradox: while technology had made connection easier than ever, people felt more isolated. The solution, he realized, wouldn't come from more algorithms or features—it would come from returning to what makes us most human: the shared experience of beauty, the pursuit of truth, and expressions of love.
Our Approach
Unlike traditional foundations that simply write checks, we create and operate our own initiatives. This hands-on approach allows us to:
- Test innovative models for supporting artists and engaging communities
- Learn directly from successes and failures
- Build sustainable, self-reinforcing ecosystems rather than dependent relationships
- Demonstrate that investing in culture can be both transformative and practical
Leadership & Governance
The foundation operates with a small, dedicated team focused on execution over administration. Our advisors include leaders from technology, arts, and community development who share our belief that culture is too important to be left to market forces alone.
Connect With Us
We believe in transparency and dialogue. Whether you're an artist, potential partner, or simply someone who shares our vision, we want to hear from you.
Get in TouchMeet the Founder
Andrew Conru
Engineer, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist
Andrew Conru's journey is one of relentless curiosity, innovative problem-solving, and a deep-seated desire to foster connection. Raised on a small Indiana farm, his early life instilled a strong work ethic and a practical, hands-on approach. This practical foundation, combined with his engineering mindset, propelled him through a Stanford PhD during the internet's infancy. There, he became a pioneer in online social technologies, driven more by creating useful tools for human interaction than by purely commercial ambitions.
After achieving significant success in the tech world, a period of profound personal reflection led him to dedicate his resources and energy to philanthropy. Through the Conru Foundation and subsequently the Conru Art Foundation, he seeks to address what he sees as a growing societal need for deeper meaning and connection. His approach to philanthropy is marked by the same inventive spirit and service-oriented mindset that defined his entrepreneurial career: identifying needs and building impactful solutions.
An amateur artist himself, Andrew believes passionately in art's power to heal, inspire, and unite. He views the intentional pursuit of Beauty, Truth, and Love through masterful craft not merely as an aesthetic endeavor, but as a vital pathway to reconnecting with our shared humanity in an often-isolating modern world. The Conru Art Foundation, with its emphasis on (Restorative) Rehumanism and initiatives like the Seattle Prize, is a direct manifestation of this conviction—an "experiment with love" aimed at nurturing artists and exploring art's deepest potential to enrich lives and elevate the human spirit. Learn more about his life/art background and broader work.