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Jonathan M Tisch Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$28.4M
Grant Range
$1K - $2.4M

Jonathan M Tisch Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $28,403,523 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $189.9 million (2024)
  • 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 $189.9 million, the foundation distributed $28.4 million in grants in 2023 to 31 organizations. 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 recognized 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 Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking without formal program 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 programs
  • Arts education and cultural institutions

Arts & Culture

  • Major cultural institutions and performing arts organizations
  • Museum programs and exhibitions
  • Arts education initiatives

Healthcare

  • Major medical centers and hospitals
  • Specialized healthcare facilities
  • Health-related research and patient services

Human Services

  • Community support organizations
  • Meal programs and social services
  • Youth services

Jewish Causes

  • Jewish communal organizations
  • Faith-based programs and institutions

Notable Past Grantees

  • Tufts University (Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life)
  • Brown University (Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Center 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 Center
  • 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 recognized 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 emphasizes "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.

Organizations are typically identified through:

  • The trustees' personal knowledge and networks
  • Board member connections to organizations
  • Existing institutional relationships (particularly with organizations 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. Organizations 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.

Organizations 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 programs 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 prioritizes civic engagement and active citizenship, reflecting Jonathan Tisch's documented philosophy of "addressing root causes" rather than merely treating symptoms
  • Organizations 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 organizations (The Met, Lincoln Center, Tufts, Brown, NYU) that can leverage funding for significant impact

New York Connections

  • Strong preference for New York-based organizations 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
  • Programs that prepare young people for civic leadership and engagement receive strong consideration
  • Access and opportunity programs for underserved youth (such as Prep for Prep) align with foundation priorities

Long-term Relationships

  • The foundation appears to support organizations 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 organizations and makes transformational gifts to major institutions
  • Civic Engagement Alignment: Organizations 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: While the foundation supports some national institutions, there is a strong preference for New York-based organizations 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 $189.9 million in assets and $28.4 million in annual giving, this is a substantial funder capable of significant impact investments
  • Education and Youth Priority: Organizations working in education, youth development, and preparing the next generation of civic leaders align strongly with documented foundation interests

References

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