The Massachusetts State Capitol

Form 990-PFTax year 2024EIN 04-3397681

Towards Sustainability Foundation

A private foundation in Saugus, MA. Its return for tax year 2024 lists 25 grants and $849,150 paid in grants.

Tax year 2024 (period ending Sep 30, 2025), read from the IRS e-file on Nov 11, 2026. Returns reach the IRS 5 to 18 months after the year they describe.

How to apply

Accepts applications

The return gives an application contact and rules, as below.

Contact
Susan K Syversen
16 Homestead Road
Marblehead, MA 01945
(617) 897-1124
[email protected]
Form and materials
A cover letter making request of grant, specifics of how the grant will be used by the solicitor, and how that use will tend to promote the Organization's purpose as described in subparagraph d of this Part, along with the solicitor's most current financial statement, the solicitor's IRS determination letter and most recently filed Form 990, Part IV, Schedule A.
Deadlines
May 15 for consideration of grant for the Organization's fiscal year ending September 30.
Restrictions
Towards Sustainability Foundation ("TSF") intends 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.

Assets and giving by year

5 returns on file
Grants paid by tax year. The latest year is in blue.
  • Tax year 2024

    $849,150

    Grants listed
    25
    Assets, end of year
    $14,494,111
  • Tax year 2023

    $825,000

    Grants listed
    24
    Assets, end of year
    $14,443,649
  • Tax year 2022

    $845,000

    Grants listed
    28
    Assets, end of year
    $14,282,470
  • Tax year 2021

    $851,000

    Grants listed
    27
    Assets, end of year
    $14,111,127
  • Tax year 2020

    $764,000

    Grants listed
    28
    Assets, end of year
    $13,539,376

Grants paid in 2024

25 grants, largest first

As listed on the return.

  1. Cornell University - Atkinson Center for a Sustainable FutureBoone, IA

    Sustainable Biodiversity Research Program

    $110,000
  2. Cornell University - College of Agriculture and Life SciencesIthaca, NY

    Organic Farming Research Program

    $110,000
  3. Planned Parenthood Federation of AmericaNew York, NY

    General Support

    $100,000
  4. Tufts University - Friedman School of Nutrition and Science PolicyBoston, MA

    AFE/New Entry Sustainable Farming

    $95,000
  5. Food ProjectLincoln, MA

    General Purposes

    $30,000
  6. Womens Microfinance InitiativeCabin John, MD

    General Purposes

    $30,000
  7. Essex County GreenbeltEssex, MA

    General Purposes

    $25,000
  8. Green AmericaWashington, DC

    General Purposes

    $25,000
  9. GreenPeace FundWashington, DC

    Protecting Ocean Biodiversity

    $25,000
  10. MadreEtna, NH

    Advancing Climate Justice Initiative

    $25,000
  11. Massachusetts Audubon SocietyLincoln, MA

    General Purposes

    $25,000
  12. Nature Conservancy - MA ChapterBoston, MA

    General Purposes

    $25,000
  13. Oxfam-AmericaBoston, MA

    General Purposes

    $25,000
  14. Rainforest AllianceNew York, NY

    Women Entreprenuers - Coffee and Cocoa Chains

    $25,000
  15. American Friends Service CommitteePhiladelphia, PA

    Peace & Livelihoods Programs

    $20,000
  16. Creative Action InstituteIpswich, MA

    General Purposes

    $20,000
  17. Gulf of Maine InstituteWest Newbury, MA

    General Purposes

    $20,000
  18. Lloyd Center for the EnvironmentS Dartmouth, MA

    Environmental Science Education Programs

    $20,000
  19. Rodale InstituteKutztown, PA

    Zapping Weeds in Soybean

    $20,000
  20. Safe PassageBaltimore, MD

    General Purposes

    $20,000
  21. CisaSouth Deerfield, MA

    General Purposes

    $15,000
  22. Red TomatoProvidence, RI

    General Purposes

    $15,000
  23. GatherPortsmouth, NH

    Teaching Garden Pilot Program

    $10,000
  24. Natik EsperanzaFt Lauderdale, FL

    Pueblo a Pueblo Sustainble Livelihoods Program

    $9,150
  25. Farm SchoolAthol, MA

    General Purposes

    $5,000

Where the money goes

By cause: grants to organizations we matched to the IRS list of exempt organizations, by their category.

  1. Health1 grant $100,00029% of the total
  2. Environment4 grants $90,00026% of the total
  3. Food and agriculture2 grants $50,00015% of the total
  4. International aid2 grants $34,15010% of the total
  5. Animals1 grant $25,0007% of the total
  6. Arts and culture1 grant $20,0006% of the total
  7. 2 other causes2 grants $25,0007% of the total

By State

Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.

  1. Massachusetts11 grants $305,000
  2. New York3 grants $235,000
  3. Iowa1 grant $110,000
  4. District of Columbia2 grants $50,000
  5. Maryland2 grants $50,000
  6. Pennsylvania2 grants $40,000
  7. New Hampshire2 grants $35,000
  8. Rhode Island1 grant $15,000
  9. Florida1 grant $9,150

Officers, directors and trustees

3 people as filed

As filed on the return, with average hours per week and pay from the foundation.

  • Cambridge TrustTrustee Hours 10Pay $171,291
  • Susan K SyversenAdvisory Committee Hours 2.5Pay $40,868
  • John R DunnellAdvisory Committee Hours 2.5Pay $40,868

The return

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