Tusher Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• EIN: 760777686
• Annual Giving: $937,500 (2020)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not disclosed (preselected organizations only)
• Grant Range: Varies by program and recipient
• Grant Volume: 6 awards in 2020, 6 in 2019, 8 in 2018
• Geographic Focus: Primarily California and Nevada, with focus on wildlife conservation, environmental causes, higher education, and scientific institutions
• Application Type: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address: 100 W Liberty St, Floor 10, Reno, NV 89501-1962
Phone: 775-831-434
Administrative Agent: c/o Sierra Corporate Services

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website or accept unsolicited grant applications.

Overview

Established in 2005, the Tusher Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation that focuses on wildlife conservation, environmental causes, higher education, and scientific purposes. Founded by Thomas W. Tusher, former President and Chief Operating Officer of Levi Strauss & Co. (1984-1996), and his wife Pauline B. Tusher, the foundation exclusively supports preselected charitable organizations aligned with the family's philanthropic interests. Thomas Tusher serves as a director of the World Wildlife Fund and is a trustee of the California Academy of Sciences, reflecting the foundation's commitment to conservation and scientific advancement. Since Thomas's retirement in 1997, the Tushers have devoted themselves to philanthropy, creating lasting impacts in education and environmental conservation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates without formal grant programs open to the public. Instead, they make strategic contributions to preselected organizations in their focus areas:

Education Initiatives:

• Thomas Tusher Scholarship for Study Abroad at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business: $10,500 annually ($7,500 from the Tusher Fund, $3,000 from IES Abroad partner contribution) for one high-achieving undergraduate student interested in international study
• Tusher Center for Management of Intellectual Capital at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business (established 2015) - focuses on research, education, and outreach on intangible assets and enterprise competitiveness
• Tusher Strategic Initiative for Technology Leadership - engages in research on innovation strategy and policy

Wildlife Conservation and Environmental Causes:

• Support for wildlife conservation organizations, with particular attention to organizations where family members serve in leadership roles
• Environmental and scientific research institutions

Scientific Institutions:

• Support for leading scientific research and education institutions, including the California Academy of Sciences

Priority Areas

Based on documented giving patterns:

• Wildlife Conservation: Organizations working on habitat protection, species conservation, and environmental stewardship
• Higher Education: University programs focusing on international business education, intellectual capital management, and technology leadership
• Scientific Research: Museums and research institutions advancing scientific knowledge and public education
• Environmental Causes: Organizations addressing environmental challenges and promoting conservation

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications from any organizations. They operate exclusively with preselected charitable organizations. Organizations not already in their network of supported causes should not attempt to apply.

Governance and Leadership

Thomas W. Tusher - President and Trustee
Former President and Chief Operating Officer of Levi Strauss & Co. (1984-1996), Thomas joined the company in 1969 and held senior management positions in Australia, Europe, and the United States. He is a University of California, Berkeley graduate (Class of 1963) whose study abroad experience in Vienna (1961-62) profoundly influenced his international business career. He currently serves as a director of the World Wildlife Fund and as a trustee of the California Academy of Sciences.

Pauline B. Tusher - Vice President
Co-founder of the foundation alongside her husband Thomas, Pauline has been instrumental in the family's philanthropic efforts since Thomas's retirement in 1997.

Gregory Malcolm Tusher - Secretary, Treasurer, and Trustee
Family member serving in key administrative roles for the foundation.

Thomas Tusher's philosophy reflects his personal experience: "Having had the opportunity to study abroad and how it impacted me in terms of my business career" has shaped the foundation's commitment to international education and broadening perspectives through global experiences.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Tusher Family Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Organizations cannot apply for grants from this foundation. All funding decisions are made by the trustees based on their existing relationships and strategic philanthropic priorities.

Getting on Their Radar

Given that the foundation only funds preselected organizations, potential grant seekers should understand that the Tushers support causes where they have:

• Direct Leadership Involvement: Organizations where Thomas or family members serve as directors or trustees (e.g., World Wildlife Fund, California Academy of Sciences)
• UC Berkeley Connections: Programs at UC Berkeley, particularly at the Haas School of Business
• Established Relationships: Organizations aligned with their long-standing interests in wildlife conservation, environmental protection, and education

The foundation's giving reflects the personal passions and board commitments of Thomas and Pauline Tusher rather than responses to external solicitations.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, understanding their giving patterns reveals:

1. Leadership Connection: Organizations where Thomas Tusher or family members hold trustee or director positions receive support
2. Strategic Alignment with Personal Values: The foundation supports causes directly connected to Thomas's biography - international business education (reflecting his career), study abroad (reflecting his formative experience in Vienna), wildlife conservation (his WWF directorship), and scientific advancement (his California Academy of Sciences trusteeship)
3. Quality Over Quantity: The foundation makes a small number of grants annually (typically 6-8), suggesting careful selection and potentially significant grant sizes to chosen organizations
4. Long-term Relationships: The foundation appears to maintain ongoing relationships with supported organizations rather than one-time grants
5. Educational Innovation: Support for programs like the Tusher Center demonstrates interest in cutting-edge research and thought leadership in business education

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This foundation is not accessible through traditional grant applications - it operates on an invitation-only basis with preselected organizations
• The foundation makes approximately 6-8 grants per year from their Reno, Nevada base, with total annual giving around $937,500 (based on 2020 data)
• Primary beneficiaries include UC Berkeley (particularly Haas School of Business), World Wildlife Fund, California Academy of Sciences, and IES Abroad
• The foundation reflects Thomas Tusher's personal journey - from UC Berkeley student to international business leader to conservation advocate
• Focus areas are narrow and specific: wildlife conservation, environmental causes, higher education (especially international business and study abroad), and scientific institutions
• Organizations already receiving funding are likely to continue receiving support given the foundation's preference for long-term relationships
• The foundation's administrative address through Sierra Corporate Services in Reno suggests a professional but low-profile operational approach
• Family-led governance with Thomas as President, Pauline as Vice President, and Gregory as Secretary/Treasurer ensures decisions remain aligned with family values

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Tusher Family Foundation (EIN: 760777686). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/760777686 (Accessed March 2026)
• Grantmakers.io: Tusher Family Foundation Profile. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/760777686-tusher-family-foundation/ (Accessed March 2026)
• Charity Navigator: Tusher Family Foundation Profile. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/760777686 (Accessed March 2026)
• Instrumentl: Tusher Family Foundation 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/tusher-family-foundation-co-sierra-corporate-services (Accessed March 2026)
• IES Abroad: Thomas Tusher Scholarship. https://www.iesabroad.org/scholarships-aid/thomas-tusher-scholarship (Accessed March 2026)
• IES Abroad: Alumni Profile - Thomas Tusher. https://www.iesabroad.org/alumni/alumni-spotlights/65-faces/thomas-tusher (Accessed March 2026)
• World Wildlife Fund: Thomas Tusher, Leaders. https://www.worldwildlife.org/leaders/thomas-tusher (Accessed March 2026)
• UC Berkeley Haas Newsroom: "Haas Launches Tusher Center to Study Intellectual Capital Management." https://newsroom.haas.berkeley.edu/haas-launches-tusher-center-study-intellectual-capital-management/ (Accessed March 2026)
• Berkeley News: "Berkeley Haas opens new center for intellectual capital management" (August 19, 2015). http://news.berkeley.edu/2015/08/19/berkeley-haas-opens-new-center-for-intellectual-capital-management/ (Accessed March 2026)
• UC Berkeley Newsarchive: "Levi Strauss President Tom Tusher To Receive Business Leadership Award from UC Berkeley's Haas school" (October 16, 1996). https://newsarchive.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/96legacy/tush.html (Accessed March 2026)
• California Academy of Sciences: Friends of the Academy Donors. https://www.calacademy.org/support/friends-of-the-academy-donors (Accessed March 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory: Tusher Family Foundation. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=TUSH001 (Accessed March 2026)