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Foundation Lookup

Form 990-PFTax year 2025EIN 06-6484045

The Tow Foundation Inc

A private foundation in New Canaan, CT. Its return for tax year 2025 lists 206 grants and $46.8 million paid in grants.

See which foundations fund work like yours Matching by cause, place and grant size

Tax year 2025 (period ending Dec 31, 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

Preselected only

The return checks the box saying the foundation gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets and giving by year

8 returns on file
Grants paid by tax year. The latest year is in blue.

  • Tax year 2025

    $46,839,114

    Grants listed
    206
    Assets, end of year
    $314,304,191

  • Tax year 2024

    $26,245,585

    Grants listed
    213
    Assets, end of year
    $311,444,666

  • Tax year 2023

    $23,936,247

    Grants listed
    222
    Assets, end of year
    $321,757,604

  • Tax year 2022

    $20,933,995

    Grants listed
    274
    Assets, end of year
    $338,381,907

  • Tax year 2021

    $16,024,829

    Grants listed
    224
    Assets, end of year
    $363,923,566

  • Tax year 2020

    $19,176,215

    Grants listed
    251
    Assets, end of year
    $170,165,082

  • Tax year 2019

    $19,311,222

    Grants listed
    202
    Assets, end of year
    $176,845,740

  • Tax year 2018

    $19,386,173

    Grants listed
    203
    Assets, end of year
    $186,291,638

Grants paid in 2025

206 grants, largest first

As listed on the return.

  1. Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY

    Biomedical research building

    $5,000,000
  2. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer CenterNew York, NY

    The initiative in radiotheranostics

    $1,600,000
  3. Vanguard Charitable Endowment ProgramMalvern, PA

    Donor advised fund contribution 1

    $1,422,021
  4. New York Genome Center IncNew York, NY

    Women's genetics center

    $1,400,000
  5. The Hospital for Special SurgeriesNew York, NY

    Realizing the promise of precision medicine and tissue regeneration in autoimmune and musculoskeletal diseases

    $1,240,000
  6. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer CenterNew York, NY

    The tow initiative in computational immuno-oncology

    $1,200,000
  7. Immigrant Justice CorpsNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $1,000,000
  8. Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts IncNew York, NY

    West project capital campaign

    $1,000,000
  9. University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL

    Ai-based myeloma research

    $1,000,000
  10. University of New HavenWest Haven, CT

    Community and civic engagement center

    $1,000,000
  11. Vera Institute of Justice IncBrooklyn, NY

    General operating support

    $1,000,000
  12. Vanguard Charitable Endowment ProgramMalvern, PA

    Donor advised fund contribution 3

    $700,000
  13. Norwalk Hospital AssociationNorwalk, CT

    The claire tow intensive care unit (ICU) at norwalk hospital

    $600,000
  14. Bard CollegeAnnandale, NY

    The leonard and claire tow chair in democracy and education

    $500,000
  15. Better Angels SocietyWashington, DC

    Ken burns film: crime and punishment in america

    $500,000
  16. Brooklyn College Foundation IncBrooklyn, NY

    Tow mentoring initiative

    $500,000
  17. Connecticut Children's Foundation IncHartford, CT

    Strengthening the connections to opportunities for prevention engagement (scope)

    $500,000
  18. Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism CUNY Foundation IncNew York, NY

    Relaunch of the tow-knight center

    $500,000
  19. National Black Theater Workshop IncNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $500,000
  20. New York Shakespeare FestivalNew York, NY

    The public theater's capital campaign

    $500,000
  21. Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY

    Establishment of the leonard tow professorship of journalism

    $500,000
  22. Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY

    Ai and journalism: a research initiative at the tow center for digital journalism

    $500,000
  23. Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY

    Endowed professorship/linda p. Fried distinguished professor

    $500,000
  24. Vanguard Charitable Endowment ProgramMalvern, PA

    Donor advised fund contribution 5

    $500,000
  25. Vera Institute of Justice IncBrooklyn, NY

    General operating support

    $450,000
  26. Vanguard Charitable Endowment ProgramMalvern, PA

    Donor advised fund contribution 6

    $447,498
  27. Now Matters NowBellevue, WA

    General operating support

    $415,000
  28. Norwalk Hospital AssociationNorwalk, CT

    Pulmonary fellowship program

    $400,000
  29. Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY

    ALS center challenge grant

    $400,000
  30. Homeboy IndustriesLos Angeles, CA

    General operating support

    $334,000
  31. Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing ProjectOxnard, CA

    General operating support

    $334,000
  32. New Venture FundWashington, DC

    Communities for just schools fund

    $334,000
  33. New York State Community ArchSyracuse, NY

    Wellness workforce collaborative

    $334,000
  34. Our Children's TrustEugene, OR

    General operating support

    $334,000
  35. St Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital CenterNew York, NY

    Cares program

    $334,000
  36. Tapestry Family ServicesUkiah, CA

    General operating support

    $334,000
  37. Catalyst CTBridgeport, CT

    Amplifying resident voices

    $333,250
  38. Research Foundation of the City University of New YorkNew York, NY

    Tow advocacy fellowship initiative

    $330,000
  39. Brooklyn College Foundation IncBrooklyn, NY

    Tania leon chair

    $300,000
  40. Civic News CompanyNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $300,000
  41. Council on Criminal Justice IncWashington, DC

    Task force on artificial intelligence in criminal justice

    $300,000
  42. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer CenterNew York, NY

    Dermatology skin informatics program

    $300,000
  43. New York Public RadioNew York, NY

    Early career journalist fellowships

    $300,000
  44. New York Shakespeare FestivalNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $300,000
  45. Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY

    Phyllis mailman professorship of public health

    $300,000
  46. University of New HavenWest Haven, CT

    Tow youth justice institute

    $300,000
  47. Vanguard Charitable Endowment ProgramMalvern, PA

    Donor advised fund contribution 7

    $300,000
  48. Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY

    Tow doctoral scholars pipeline program

    $293,000
  49. Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of YouthWashington, DC

    General operating support

    $250,000
  50. Child Health and Development Institute of ConnecticutFarmington, CT

    General operating support

    $250,000
  51. Civil Rights CorpsWashington, DC

    General operating support

    $250,000
  52. John Jay College Foundation IncNew York, NY

    Future of public safety initiative

    $250,000
  53. Justice Innovation IncNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $250,000
  54. Justice Innovation IncNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $250,000
  55. Recidiviz IncOakland, CA

    General operating support

    $250,000
  56. Rivet Global IncDorchester, MA

    General operating support

    $250,000
  57. Vanguard Charitable Endowment ProgramMalvern, PA

    Donor advised fund contribution 2

    $247,945
  58. WGBH Educational FoundationBrighton, MA

    Frontline columbia and CUNY tow fellowships & the investigative journalist equity initiative

    $240,000
  59. Trace Media IncBrooklyn, NY

    Editorial fellowship

    $225,000
  60. Nunchi HealthSan Mateo, CA

    General operating support

    $212,000
  61. American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of ConnecticutHartford, CT

    General operating support

    $200,000
  62. Brooklyn College Foundation IncBrooklyn, NY

    Tow fund for excellence

    $200,000
  63. Center for Children's Advocacy IncHartford, CT

    General operating support

    $200,000
  64. Church World Service IncGreensboro, NC

    CWS greensboro support

    $200,000
  65. Girltrek IncorporatedMontgomery, AL

    General operating support

    $200,000
  66. Robin Hood FoundationNew York, NY

    Hunger programs

    $200,000
  67. Robin Hood FoundationNew York, NY

    Hunger programs

    $200,000
  68. Sanctuary for Families IncNew York, NY

    Incarcerated gender violence survivors initiative (igvsi)

    $200,000
  69. The Foundation for City CollegeNew York, NY

    Public service fellowship

    $200,000
  70. The Futuro Media GroupNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $200,000
  71. The Futuro Media GroupNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $200,000
  72. The Just Trust for EducationDurham, NC

    General operating support

    $200,000
  73. The Marshall Project IncNew York, NY

    News inside and inside story

    $200,000
  74. The Miami Foundation IncMiami, FL

    Newsmatch

    $200,000
  75. Worth Rises IncNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $200,000
  76. Tides CenterSan Francisco, CA

    Zealous

    $175,000
  77. Vanguard Charitable Endowment ProgramMalvern, PA

    Donor advised fund contribution 4

    $152,000
  78. Bard CollegeAnnandale, NY

    General operating support

    $150,000
  79. Civil Rights CorpsWashington, DC

    Hub for innovative law offices

    $150,000
  80. Committee to Protect Journalists IncNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $150,000
  81. Fountain House IncNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $150,000
  82. Fountain House IncNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $150,000
  83. Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison IncOssining, NY

    General operating support

    $150,000
  84. Medical Justice Alliance IncNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $150,000
  85. National Youth Justice NetworkWashington, DC

    General operating support

    $150,000
  86. New York City Environmental Justice Alliance IncBrooklyn, NY

    Renewable rikers

    $150,000
  87. New York Focus NewsBrooklyn, NY

    General operating support

    $150,000
  88. Renaissance Philanthropy FundNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $150,000
  89. Reporters Committee for Freedom of the PressWashington, DC

    General operating support

    $150,000
  90. Roca IncChelsea, MA

    Hartford young womens program

    $150,000
  91. Solutions Journalism Network IncNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $150,000
  92. The Groundtruth Project IncBoston, MA

    Report for america's impact interest news fund

    $150,000
  93. Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY

    Center for justice

    $150,000
  94. William J Brennan Jr Center for Justice IncNew York, NY

    Justice program

    $150,000
  95. Bard CollegeAnnandale, NY

    Bpi public health fellowship

    $125,000
  96. Connecticut Public Broadcasting IncHartford, CT

    The accountability project

    $125,000
  97. Urban Justice CenterNew York, NY

    Freedom agenda

    $125,000
  98. Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY

    Tow faculty leadership scholars

    $110,000
  99. Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT

    Seiche mental health services

    $110,000
  100. Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY

    Icap/brooklyn college summer program

    $104,057
  101. Business Capacity Development AllianceNew York, NY

    Canary impact

    $100,000
  102. Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of YouthWashington, DC

    Freedom celebration gala

    $100,000
  103. Catalyst CTBridgeport, CT

    General operating support

    $100,000
  104. Center for Community AlternativesSyracuse, NY

    General operating support

    $100,000
  105. Center for Employment Opportunities IncNew York, NY

    NY returning citizens stimulus campaign (nyrcs)

    $100,000
  106. Childrens Defense FundWashington, DC

    Children's defense fund-ny

    $100,000
  107. Community Resources for JusticeBoston, MA

    Family reentry program

    $100,000
  108. Connecticut News Project IncHartford, CT

    General operating support

    $100,000
  109. Domus Kids IncStamford, CT

    General operating support

    $100,000
  110. Dwight Hall at YaleNew Haven, CT

    Yale prison education initiative

    $100,000
  111. Fortune Society IncLong Island City, NY

    General operating support

    $100,000
  112. Frederick Douglass Project for Justice IncWashington, DC

    General operating support

    $100,000
  113. Fund for the City of New York IncNew York, NY

    Vital city

    $100,000
  114. Global ImpactWashington, DC

    One for justice

    $100,000
  115. Global ImpactWashington, DC

    One for justice

    $100,000
  116. Justleadershipusa IncNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $100,000
  117. Juvenile Law CenterPhiladelphia, PA

    General operating support

    $100,000
  118. Katal Center for Equity Health and Justice IncHartford, CT

    General operating support

    $100,000
  119. Legal Action Center of the City of New York IncNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $100,000
  120. New York Womens FoundationNew York, NY

    The justice fund

    $100,000
  121. Osborne Association IncBrooklyn, NY

    General operating support

    $100,000
  122. Pen American Center IncNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $100,000
  123. Prison Communities International IncPurchase, NY

    General operating support

    $100,000
  124. Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs IncCalabasas, CA

    Connecticut justice alliance

    $100,000
  125. The City University of New York School of Law Foundation IncLong Island City, NY

    Second look project NY programmatic staff retention

    $100,000
  126. The Legal Aid SocietyNew York, NY

    The criminal defense practice law reform team

    $100,000
  127. The Massachusetts General HospitalBoston, MA

    Center for law, brain and behavior: neurolaw library

    $100,000
  128. The Sentencing ProjectWashington, DC

    General operating support

    $100,000
  129. Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY

    Paralegal pathways initiative

    $100,000
  130. Youth Justice Network IncNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $100,000
  131. Common Justice IncBrooklyn, NY

    General operating support

    $75,000
  132. Community Partners in Action IncHartford, CT

    General operating support

    $75,000
  133. Correctional Association of New YorkBrooklyn, NY

    General operating support

    $75,000
  134. Good Call NYC CoBrooklyn, NY

    General operating support

    $75,000
  135. Indiespace IncAstoria, NY

    General operating support

    $75,000
  136. Mockingbird IncubatorNew York, NY

    Legal empowerment advocacy hub (leah)

    $75,000
  137. Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs IncCalabasas, CA

    Release aging people in prison campaign

    $75,000
  138. St Anns Warehouse IncBrooklyn, NY

    General operating support

    $75,000
  139. The Gault CenterWashington, DC

    General operating support

    $75,000
  140. Youth Represent IncNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $75,000
  141. Alliance of Families for JusticeNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $50,000
  142. Center for Community AlternativesSyracuse, NY

    General operating support

    $50,000
  143. Clubbed Thumb IncNew York, NY

    New play directing fellowship

    $50,000
  144. Coalition for Juvenile JusticeWashington, DC

    General operating support

    $50,000
  145. Congregations Linked in Urban Strategy to Effect Renewal IncYonkers, NY

    Restorative justice initiative

    $50,000
  146. Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness IncHartford, CT

    General operating support

    $50,000
  147. Connecticut Council for PhilanthropyHartford, CT

    Supporting organizing work - CT

    $50,000
  148. Connecticut Voices for Children IncNew Haven, CT

    General operating support

    $50,000
  149. Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism CUNY Foundation IncNew York, NY

    Tow professorships

    $50,000
  150. Drug Policy AllianceNew York, NY

    New york office efforts

    $50,000
  151. Dwight Hall at YaleNew Haven, CT

    Full citizens coalition

    $50,000
  152. Freedom Reads IncHamden, CT

    General operating support

    $50,000
  153. Hour Children IncLong Island City, NY

    General operating support

    $50,000
  154. National Black Theater Workshop IncNew York, NY

    Soul director residency

    $50,000
  155. Partners for Justice IncNew York, NY

    Expanding public defense in albany county

    $50,000
  156. Roundabout Theatre Company IncNew York, NY

    Directing fellowship & directors group

    $50,000
  157. The Miami Foundation IncMiami, FL

    Ct/ny partner fund

    $50,000
  158. The Research Foundation for the State University of New YorkBuffalo, NY

    Innocence and justice project

    $50,000
  159. Tides CenterSan Francisco, CA

    Women and justice project

    $50,000
  160. Tides CenterSan Francisco, CA

    Survivors justice project

    $50,000
  161. Volunteers of Legal Services IncNew York, NY

    Incarcerated mothers law project

    $50,000
  162. We Are Unchained IncSyracuse, NY

    General operating support

    $50,000
  163. Wesleyan UniversityMiddletown, CT

    Center for prison education

    $50,000
  164. Westchester Children's Association IncWhite Plains, NY

    General operating support

    $50,000
  165. Brooklyn College Foundation IncBrooklyn, NY

    Icap/brooklyn college summer program

    $40,170
  166. Connecticut Legal Services IncMiddletown, CT

    General operating support

    $40,000
  167. Connecticut Youth Services AssociationCromwell, CT

    General operating support

    $40,000
  168. Fostering Media ConnectionsLos Angeles, CA

    The imprint's upstate youth justice media coverage

    $40,000
  169. Youth Continuum IncHamden, CT

    General operating support

    $40,000
  170. Kids in Crisis IncCos Cob, CT

    General operating support

    $35,000
  171. Our Piece of the Pie IncHartford, CT

    General operating support

    $35,000
  172. The Arnold Gold FoundationFort Lee, NJ

    Annual gala

    $30,000
  173. Vivian Beaumont Theater IncNew York, NY

    Ruby jubilee gala

    $25,500
  174. African Caribbean American Parents of Children with Disability IncHartford, CT

    General operating support

    $25,000
  175. Homebridge Ventures IncBridgeport, CT

    General operating support

    $25,000
  176. WNETNew York, NY

    Annual gala

    $24,050
  177. New York Public RadioNew York, NY

    Annual gala

    $22,700
  178. Philanthropy New York IncNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $21,150
  179. Tides CenterSan Francisco, CA

    Dvsja screenings in CT and NY

    $20,000
  180. Soho Repertory Theatre IncNew York, NY

    Gala

    $18,925
  181. Foster ForwardScarsdale, NY

    Youth transition funders group

    $15,000
  182. American Theatre Wing IncNew York, NY

    Annual fall gala

    $11,750
  183. ALS Association Greater New York ChapterNew York, NY

    The lou gehrig legacy gala

    $11,100
  184. National Center for Family Philanthropy IncWashington, DC

    General operating support

    $10,000
  185. Juvenile Law CenterPhiladelphia, PA

    50th anniversary gala

    $9,640
  186. Grantmakers for Effective OrganizationsWashington, DC

    General operating support

    $8,500
  187. Media Impact Funders IncPhiladelphia, PA

    General operating support

    $7,500
  188. Emerging Practitioners in PhilanthropyNew York, NY

    General operating support

    $6,750
  189. Connecticut Council for PhilanthropyHartford, CT

    Annual conference

    $6,603
  190. Connecticut Council for PhilanthropyHartford, CT

    General operating support

    $5,865
  191. Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism CUNY Foundation IncNew York, NY

    Stephen b. Shepard prize for investigative reporting annual awards

    $5,000
  192. Good Nation Foundation IncNew York, NY

    NY youth justice initiative

    $5,000
  193. New York City Parents of Lesbians and Gay Men IncNew York, NY

    Annual gala

    $5,000
  194. Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY

    Judson wolfe excellence in teaching award

    $5,000
  195. University of New HavenWest Haven, CT

    Diane sierpina emerging leadership in youth justice fund award

    $5,000
  196. The Rockland Community FoundationSuffern, NY

    Ben w. Grange scholarship fund

    $4,000
  197. Community Partners in Action IncHartford, CT

    Holiday gifts for youth

    $3,000
  198. Philanthropy New York IncNew York, NY

    Sing sing film screening catering

    $3,000
  199. Chilmark Town Affairs Council IncChilmark, MA

    Martha's vineyard book festival

    $2,500
  200. Peak Grantmaking IncWashington, DC

    General operating support

    $2,250
  201. Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs IncCalabasas, CA

    Justice advisors program

    $1,500
  202. Career Resources IncBridgeport, CT

    Leadership training

    $1,250
  203. Building One Community CorpStamford, CT

    Workforce development program gift cards

    $775
  204. Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison IncOssining, NY

    Spring benefit gala

    $350
  205. National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyPhiladelphia, PA

    General operating support

    $265
  206. Westchester Children's Association IncWhite Plains, NY

    Celebrating a legacy of impact event

    $250

Where the money goes

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

  1. Education25 grants $6,380,17019% of the total
  2. Health7 grants $6,000,00018% of the total
  3. Crime and legal aid24 grants $5,149,64016% of the total
  4. Philanthropy and grantmaking20 grants $4,611,68214% of the total
  5. Arts and culture22 grants $4,125,42512% of the total
  6. Human services25 grants $2,559,0258% of the total
  7. 10 other causes30 grants $4,247,25013% of the total

By State

Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.

  1. New York112 grants $29,469,752
  2. Connecticut36 grants $5,155,743
  3. Pennsylvania11 grants $3,886,869
  4. District of Columbia18 grants $2,729,750
  5. California13 grants $1,975,500
  6. Florida3 grants $1,250,000
  7. Massachusetts7 grants $992,500
  8. Washington1 grant $415,000
  9. North Carolina2 grants $400,000
  10. Oregon1 grant $334,000

Officers, directors and trustees

13 people as filed

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

  • Amy LefkofSECRETARY Hours 3Pay $0
  • Andrew TowVICE CHAIR Hours 2Pay $0
  • Benjamin JacksonDIRECTOR Hours 2Pay $0
  • David TobiasASSISTANT TREASURER Hours 3Pay $0
  • Emily TowPRESIDENT/ VICE CHAIR Hours 40Pay $395,386
  • Frank TowCHAIR Hours 5Pay $0
  • Hope JacksonDIRECTOR Hours 2Pay $0
  • Leonard Tow DeceasedCHAIRMAN Hours 5Pay $0
  • Molly TowDIRECTOR Hours 2Pay $0
  • Olivia TowDIRECTOR Hours 2Pay $0
  • Scott SchneiderTREASURER Hours 5Pay $0
  • Susan RansdenASSISTANT SECRETARY Hours 40Pay $187,276
  • Teresa LawDIRECTOR Hours 2Pay $0

The return

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