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Towards Sustainability Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.8M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M

Towards Sustainability Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $825,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed (application deadline August 15 for fiscal year ending September 30)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $110,000
  • Median Grant: $25,000
  • Total Assets: $14.4 million (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on East Coast (particularly Massachusetts)
  • Grants Awarded (2023): 24

Contact Details

  • Address: 605 Broadway LF-41, Saugus, MA 01906
  • Phone: (617) 897-1124
  • Grant Contact: Susan K. Syversen, 16 Homestead Road, Marblehead, MA 01945
  • Email: towsstnblty@aol.com

Overview

The Towards Sustainability Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1997 in Massachusetts. With approximately $14.4 million in assets, the foundation distributes around $825,000 annually to support its charitable mission. The foundation is managed by Cambridge Trust as trustee, with advisory committee members Susan K. Syversen and John R. Dunnell providing guidance on grant decisions.

The foundation's stated purpose is to provide "financial support only to 501(c)(3) public charities which help promote the efficient use of the earth's natural resources and human capital towards a balanced carrying capacity that can support all living organisms fairly and justly." This mission encompasses environmental sustainability, sustainable agriculture, women's economic empowerment, and reproductive health initiatives. The foundation generates its income primarily through investment returns rather than contributions, maintaining a stable and sustainable grantmaking capacity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation supports a diverse range of programs aligned with its mission:

  • Environmental Sustainability & Agriculture: $15,000 - $110,000 (sustainable farming, organic agriculture, environmental conservation)
  • University Research Partnerships: Up to $110,000 (supports sustainable agriculture and biodiversity research at institutions like Cornell University and Tufts University)
  • Women's Economic Empowerment: $25,000 - $40,000 (microfinance initiatives, economic development programs)
  • Reproductive Health: Up to $110,000 (family planning and reproductive rights organizations)
  • Environmental Education: $15,000 - $30,000 (environmental science education and awareness programs)

Priority Areas

  • Sustainable agriculture and organic farming systems
  • Environmental conservation and natural resource efficiency
  • Climate-smart agricultural practices
  • Women's economic empowerment and microfinance
  • Reproductive health and family planning
  • Biodiversity and ecosystem conservation
  • Food systems diversity and equity
  • Community sustainability initiatives
  • International development projects with sustainability focus

What They Don't Fund

Based on the foundation's stated purpose and grant patterns:

  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) status
  • Projects not aligned with environmental sustainability or human capital efficiency
  • Individual grants (only organizational grants)

Governance and Leadership

Trustee

  • Cambridge Trust (Institutional Trustee) - 10 hours/week, $139,448 compensation

Advisory Committee

  • Susan K. Syversen - Grant Contact, Advisory Committee Member (2.5 hours/week, $32,974 compensation)
  • John R. Dunnell - Advisory Committee Member, Attorney (2.5 hours/week, $32,974 compensation). John R. Dunnell is an attorney with over 30 years of experience in estate planning, trust and estate administration, and fiduciary income taxation. He has been recognized by Boston Magazine as a "Five Star Wealth Manager."

Historical Association

  • Charles P. Nelson Jr. (Cambridge Trust) - Associated with foundation administration

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts grant applications through a direct submission process. Required application materials include:

  1. Cover letter outlining the request
  2. Detailed description of how grant funds will be used
  3. Financial statement
  4. IRS determination letter confirming 501(c)(3) status
  5. Form 990 Schedule A

Applications should be submitted to Susan K. Syversen at the Marblehead, MA address or via the contact information provided.

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadline: August 15
  • Fiscal Year End: September 30
  • **Grant decisions are made for the fiscal year ending September 30, suggesting decisions are communicated in early fall

Cornell University Partnership Program

The foundation maintains a notable partnership with Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, providing an annual gift that supports grants for sustainable agriculture research. Through this program:

  • Individual grants up to $11,000 per project per year
  • Proposals due in early December for the following calendar year
  • Projects focus on organic and sustainable farm and food systems
  • Requires 20-minute oral presentation and comprehensive final report

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated mission and grant patterns, successful applications should:

Mission Alignment

  • Clearly demonstrate how the project promotes "efficient use of the earth's natural resources and human capital"
  • Articulate connection to "balanced carrying capacity that can support all living organisms fairly and justly"

Priority Themes (based on Cornell partnership priorities)

  • Address diversity and equity in food systems and sustainable landscapes
  • Incorporate climate-smart practices in agriculture and land management
  • Include measurable sustainability outcomes
  • Demonstrate community or stakeholder engagement

Recent Grant Recipients (Examples)

  • Cornell University: $110,000 for sustainable biodiversity programs
  • Cornell University: $110,000 for organic farming research
  • Planned Parenthood Federation of America: $110,000
  • Tufts University: $75,000 for sustainable farming initiatives
  • Women's Microfinance Initiative: $30,000
  • Green America: $25,000

Application Strength Indicators

  • Clear, quantifiable outcomes and impact metrics
  • Strong organizational track record
  • Alignment with foundation's dual focus on environmental sustainability and human capital
  • Demonstrated capacity to efficiently use grant funds

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Dual Mission Focus: The foundation uniquely balances environmental sustainability with human capital development - applications should address both dimensions where possible

  2. Median Grant Guidance: With a median grant of $25,000, organizations seeking mid-range funding ($15,000-$40,000) may have the strongest fit

  3. August 15 Deadline: Mark your calendar - this is the single annual deadline for consideration in the upcoming fiscal year

  4. Direct Contact Available: Susan K. Syversen serves as the primary grant contact - direct inquiries are welcomed at (617) 897-1124 or towsstnblty@aol.com

  5. 501(c)(3) Requirement: Only IRS-recognized public charities are eligible - ensure your determination letter and Schedule A are current

  6. East Coast Presence: While national in scope, the foundation shows preference for East Coast organizations, particularly in Massachusetts

  7. Research Partnerships: Universities conducting sustainability research represent a significant portion of the portfolio - academic partnerships may strengthen applications

References

Information compiled December 2025 from publicly available sources including IRS Form 990 filings and foundation databases.

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