The Steve Tisch Family Foundation
The Steve Tisch Family Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, NY. Its 2024 grants listed a broad purpose: to further educational, religious, medical, cultural, societal, and environmental causes.
The Steve Tisch Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Steve Tisch Family Foundation gave $12.4M across 18 grants in 2024 (avg $686K), mostly in New York. 22% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $12,354,663
- -39.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 18
- -33.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $686,370
- -8.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $227,728,750
- +1.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (4 of 18, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New York (81% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Steve Tisch Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 712 Fifth Avenue 12Th Floor, New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 521-2930
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Steve Tisch Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Jewish Communal Fund ($9.5M). Together the top 10 received $12.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
119 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 58 grants of 119 (49%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars were reported as 81% to recipients in New York and 19% to recipients in California. The filing also listed grants to recipients in Washington, DC; the reported share for DC was 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Steve Tisch Family Foundation open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 18 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $93K; repeat grants $856K. How we count
Medians: $18K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 61% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 26% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 83% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $12.4M (2024) to $20.3M (2023). In 2024 it made 18 grants totaling $12.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jewish Communal Fund New York, NY | To further educational, religious, medical, cultural, societal and environmental causes. | $9,477,163 |
| La County Museum of Art (Museum Associates) Los Angeles, CA | To further educational, religious, medical, cultural, societal and environmental causes. | $2,100,000 |
| Children's Museum of Manhattan New York, NY | To further educational, religious, medical, cultural, societal and environmental causes. | $333,334 |
| Breast Cancer Research Foundation New York, NY | To further educational, religious, medical, cultural, societal and environmental causes. | $125,000 |
| Simon Wiesenthal Center Los Angeles, CA | To further educational, religious, medical, cultural, societal and environmental causes. | $75,000 |
| HUC - Skirball Cultural Center Los Angeles, CA | To further educational, religious, medical, cultural, societal and environmental causes. | $50,000 |
| Epilepsy Foundation of Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | To further educational, religious, medical, cultural, societal and environmental causes. | $25,000 |
| Exceptional Children's Foundation Culver City, CA | To further educational, religious, medical, cultural, societal and environmental causes. | $25,000 |
| Healthy Room Project Corporation Redondo Beach, CA | To further educational, religious, medical, cultural, societal and environmental causes. | $25,000 |
| Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America New York, NY | To further educational, religious, medical, cultural, societal and environmental causes. | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Steve Tisch Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $227,728,750 | $12,094,321 | $13,270,817 | $12,354,663 | 18 | $12,464,663 | $7,580,077 | $14,997,475 |
| 2023 | $225,485,746 | $72,136,959 | $20,835,959 | $20,266,765 | 27 | $20,266,765 | $2,406,105 | $10,461,867 |
| 2022 | $172,081,923 | $56,844,525 | $13,613,027 | $13,062,166 | 20 | $13,069,766 | $2,510,481 | $8,599,238 |
| 2021 | $128,850,691 | $18,638,348 | $17,263,138 | $16,727,772 | 20 | $16,742,072 | $2,818,532 | $8,065,311 |
| 2020 | $118,839,939 | $59,841,432 | $13,540,037 | $13,060,836 | 34 | — | $7,562,168 | $6,267,623 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Steve Tisch Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $15.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated grant purpose is to further educational, religious, medical, cultural, societal, and environmental causes. Its 2024 grantees illustrate a range of work: the Children’s Museum of Manhattan says its mission is to support early childhood development; the Exceptional Children’s Foundation says it serves children and adults with developmental, learning, and emotional disabilities; and the Geffen Playhouse says it provides theater productions and related programming.
Other grantees describe work in areas including breast cancer advocacy, children’s health, film, and human rights. For example, the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund says its mission is to end breast cancer through action and advocacy, while the Simon Wiesenthal Center describes itself as a Jewish human rights organization confronting antisemitism and hate.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 18 grants totaling $12,354,663. Grant amounts ranged from $2,500 to $9,477,163, with a median of $25,000. The largest listed grants were $9,477,163 to Jewish Communal Fund, $2,100,000 to LA County Museum of Art (Museum Associates), and $333,334 to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. Other listed grants included $125,000 to Breast Cancer Research Foundation and $75,000 to Simon Wiesenthal Center.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Steven E. Tisch was listed as a part-time trustee on the 2024 filing.
The Steve Tisch Family Foundation is led by Steven E. Tisch, Trustee & Part Time on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Steven E. Tisch
Trustee & Part Time
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Steve Tisch Family Foundation
How much does The Steve Tisch Family Foundation give each year?
The Steve Tisch Family Foundation gave $12.4M across 18 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $20.3M across 27 grants.
What is The Steve Tisch Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Steve Tisch Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $686,370, across 18 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Steve Tisch Family Foundation that year got $93K on average.
Where does The Steve Tisch Family Foundation give grants?
The Steve Tisch Family Foundation gives mostly in New York: 81% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (7 grants) and New York, NY (4 grants).
Does The Steve Tisch Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on The Steve Tisch Family Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Steve Tisch Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Steve Tisch Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Jewish Communal Fund ($9,477,163), La County Museum of Art (Museum Associates) ($2,100,000) and Children's Museum of Manhattan ($333,334), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 96% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Steve Tisch Family Foundation?
The Steve Tisch Family Foundation reported $227.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $12.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $15.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Steve Tisch Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated grant purpose is to further educational, religious, medical, cultural, societal, and environmental causes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Steve Tisch Family Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Steve Tisch Family Foundation's EIN?
The Steve Tisch Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-4037377. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Steve Tisch Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Steve Tisch Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in New York
Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles supports human services, health, education, Jewish life, arts and culture, Israel-related work, and nonprofit capacity and capital projects, with a focus on Los Angeles and also giving in Israel and beyond. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. General Community grants are by invitation only and do not accept unsolicited applications; current procedures should be verified.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
1,063
Total Given
$142.2M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds nonprofit programs in areas such as arts, education, health, the environment, workforce development, and youth development, including projects that improve services, build organizational capacity, or advance policy and systems change. Its competitive grants mainly serve New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some national and international environmental funding; the 2024 median grant was $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
The Simons Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Simons Foundation funds research and public engagement in mathematics and the physical, life, autism, and neuroscience sciences. In 2024, it made 1,727 grants, with a median award of $72,000 and amounts ranging from $1,480 to $20 million, supporting organizations in the U.S. and internationally. It states that it funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,727
Total Given
$272.0M
More Funders in New York
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Steve Tisch Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-steve-tisch-family-foundation-morg_b98a065b1d844ef795dd8e4bcc0d4307
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_134037377_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Steve Tisch Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-steve-tisch-family-foundation-morg_b98a065b1d844ef795dd8e4bcc0d4307},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Steve Tisch Family Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Steve Tisch Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?