Jonathan M Tisch Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $28,403,523 (2023)
• Total Assets: $198.1 million (2023)
• Grant Range: $750 - $2,400,000
• Number of Awards: 31 grants (2023)
• Geographic Focus: New York-based with national reach
• Application Process: Invitation only / No unsolicited proposals

Contact Details

Location: 712 Fifth Avenue, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10019

Phone: 212-521-2930

Note: The foundation maintains a low public profile and does not maintain a public website.

Overview

The Jonathan M Tisch Family Foundation was established in February 1999 as a private grantmaking foundation. Led by Jonathan M. Tisch, Co-Chairman of Loews Corporation and Executive Chairman of Loews Hotels & Co., the foundation reflects the Tisch family's long-standing commitment to civic engagement and active citizenship. With total assets of $198.1 million, the foundation distributed $28.4 million in grants in 2023 to 31 organisations. The foundation's grantmaking philosophy aligns with Jonathan Tisch's broader philanthropic vision of addressing root causes of social problems through education, civic engagement, and community support. Tisch is a recognised champion of corporate responsibility and recipient of the US President's Service Award, having authored books including "Citizen You: Doing Your Part to Change the World" and "The Power of We: Succeeding Through Partnerships."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking without formal programme structures or application cycles. All grants are awarded on an invitation-only basis.

Priority Areas

Education & Civic Engagement

• Higher education institutions, particularly those focused on civic life and active citizenship
• Youth development and educational access programmes
• Arts education and cultural institutions

Arts & Culture

• Major cultural institutions and performing arts organisations
• Museum programmes and exhibitions
• Arts education initiatives

Healthcare

• Major medical centres and hospitals
• Specialised healthcare facilities
• Health-related research and patient services

Human Services

• Community support organisations
• Meal programmes and social services
• Youth services

Jewish Causes

• Jewish communal organisations
• Faith-based programmes and institutions

Notable Past Grantees

• Tufts University (Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life)
• Brown University (Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Centre for Career Exploration)
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Gallery)
• NYU Tisch School of the Arts
• Prep for Prep
• New York Presbyterian Hospital
• Hospital for Special Surgery
• Lincoln Centre
• Citymeals-on-Wheels
• Jewish Communal Fund

Governance and Leadership

Jonathan M. Tisch serves as Trustee of the foundation. As Co-Chairman of the Board of Loews Corporation and Executive Chairman of Loews Hotels & Co., Tisch brings extensive business leadership and philanthropic expertise to the foundation's work.

Tisch is Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Tufts University and has been recognised by Crain's New York Business as one of the first members of their Hall of Fame for individuals who have transformed New York City through their professional work and civic activities.

On his philanthropic philosophy, Tisch has stated that through their giving, he and his wife Lizzie want to "invest in students and, through them, in the civic fabric that strengthens our society." His advocacy for active citizenship emphasises "addressing root causes in problems like poverty, hunger, homelessness, and disease" rather than merely alleviating symptoms.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Jonathan M Tisch Family Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited proposals. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees based on the foundation's strategic priorities and existing relationships.

Organisations are typically identified through:

• The trustees' personal knowledge and networks
• Board member connections to organisations
• Existing institutional relationships (particularly with organisations where the Tisch family has historic ties)
• Referrals from trusted advisors and current grantees

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation has documented connections through Jonathan Tisch's leadership roles at Tufts University (Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees) and Loews Corporation. Organisations with alignment to the Tisch College of Civic Life's mission or those working in active citizenship and civic engagement may find natural connection points through these institutional relationships.

Organisations seeking to build awareness with the foundation should focus on:

• Developing relationships with current grantees who might provide referrals
• Connecting through shared board members or trustees
• Participating in events or initiatives related to civic engagement, particularly those connected to Tufts University or NYU programmes that bear the Tisch name
• Building visibility in New York's philanthropic community, especially in education, arts, and healthcare sectors

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly documented, as grants are made at trustee discretion rather than through scheduled review cycles.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, analysis of the foundation's grantmaking patterns reveals key alignment factors:

Alignment with Tisch Family Values

• The foundation strongly prioritises civic engagement and active citizenship, reflecting Jonathan Tisch's documented philosophy of "addressing root causes" rather than merely treating symptoms
• Organisations that demonstrate how they empower individuals to become active participants in solving social problems align with the foundation's core mission

Institutional Excellence and Impact

• Grantees tend to be established, highly respected institutions with demonstrated track records
• Major gifts have gone to prestigious organisations (The Met, Lincoln Centre, Tufts, Brown, NYU) that can leverage funding for significant impact

New York Connections

• Strong preference for New York-based organisations or those serving New York communities
• Healthcare grantees have included major New York institutions (New York Presbyterian, Hospital for Special Surgery)

Education and Youth Focus

• Significant support for educational institutions at all levels
• Programmes that prepare young people for civic leadership and engagement receive strong consideration
• Access and opportunity programmes for underserved youth (such as Prep for Prep) align with foundation priorities

Long-term Relationships

• The foundation appears to support organisations where family members have sustained involvement through board service or other leadership roles
• Multi-year, transformational gifts to institutions like Tufts ($40 million in 2006, $15 million in 2016, $10 million in 2023) demonstrate commitment to deepening impact over time

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals—networking and relationship-building through existing grantees or board connections is essential
• Significant Grant Range: With grants ranging from $750 to $2.4 million, the foundation supports both smaller organisations and makes transformational gifts to major institutions
• Civic Engagement Alignment: Organisations demonstrating alignment with Jonathan Tisch's philosophy of active citizenship and addressing root causes of social problems will resonate with foundation priorities
• New York Focus: Whilst the foundation supports some national institutions, there is a strong preference for New York-based organisations or those serving New York communities
• Long-term Partnership Approach: The foundation's pattern of sustained support to key institutions (particularly Tufts) suggests they value deep, long-term partnerships over broad, scattered grantmaking
• Strategic Philanthropy: With $198.1 million in assets and $28.4 million in annual giving, this is a substantial funder capable of significant impact investments
• Education and Youth Priority: Organisations working in education, youth development, and preparing the next generation of civic leaders align strongly with documented foundation interests

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Jonathan M Tisch Family Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/134037382 (Accessed December 2024)
• Inside Philanthropy: Lizzie and Jonathan M. Tisch Foundation. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/new-york-grants/lizzie-and-jonathan-m-tisch-foundation (Accessed December 2024)
• Tufts Now: "$10 Million Gift Bolsters Tisch College of Civic Life." May 19, 2023. https://now.tufts.edu/2023/05/19/10-million-gift-bolsters-tisch-college-civic-life
• Brown University: "Brown names the Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Centre for Career Exploration." December 9, 2024. https://www.brown.edu/news/2025-12-09/lizzie-and-jonathan-tisch-center-career-exploration
• NYU Tisch School of the Arts: Jonathan Tisch biography. https://tisch.nyu.edu/giving/the-tisch-gala/tisch-gala-2016/jonathan-tisch.html (Accessed December 2024)
• Penguin Random House: "Citizen You" by Jonathan Tisch. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/196914/citizen-you-by-jonathan-m-tisch-with-karl-weber/ (Accessed December 2024)
• Candid Foundation Directory: The Jonathan M Tisch Family Foundation. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?collection=grantmakers&activity=result&key=CEI6931091 (Accessed December 2024)
• Instrumentl: The Jonathan M Tisch Family Foundation 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/jonathan-m-tisch-family-foundation (Accessed December 2024)