Towards Sustainability Foundation

SAUGUS, MA EIN: 04-3397681

Towards Sustainability Foundation is a private, independent foundation established in 1997 and based in Saugus, Massachusetts. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and has been tax-exempt since August 1998.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$14.4M

+1.1% YoY

Annual Giving

$825K

-2.4% YoY

Grant Count

24

-14.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$34K

+13.9% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation supports public charities that 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.

Primary funding areas include:

  • Environmental conservation and biodiversity
  • Sustainable resource management
  • Economic development and sustainable livelihoods
  • Women's empowerment and entrepreneurship
  • Ocean protection

Grantmaking

The foundation awarded 46 grants totaling $825,000 in its most recent funding cycle, with grants awarded as recently as 2024.

Average Grant

amount varies by program

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation does not have specific geographic limitations; however, the majority of grants are provided to organizations on the East Coast, with emphasis on Massachusetts.

Grant Distribution by State

12states
+4 more states

Cities

AtholBooneBostonCabin JohnCambridgeDartmouthDorchesterDurhamElburnEssexFort LauderdaleIpswichIthacaKutztownLincolnLos BanosNew GloucesterNew YorkPhiladelphiaProvidence

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Assets & Giving (as of most recent filing):

  • Total assets: $14,443,649
  • Total giving: $825,000
  • Total revenue: $1,214,108
  • Total expenses: $1,046,007
  • Giving rate: 5.7%
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$517K$1M$2M$2M2021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$14,443,649$14,282,470$14,111,127
Revenue$1,214,108$1,266,290$1,683,669
Expenses$1,046,007$1,073,631$1,102,303
Qualifying Distributions$825,000$845,000$851,000
Net Investment Income$1,002,232$1,055,184$1,453,336
Distributable Amount$881,460$789,532$842,420

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$213K$426K$638K$851K28 grants202127 grants202228 grants202324 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Cornell University - Atk…$110KCornell University - Col…$110KPlanned Parenthood Feder…$110KTufts University - Fried…$75KEcologic Development Fund$40KWomens Microfinance Init…$30KEssex County Greenbelt$25KFood Project$25KGreen America$25KGreenPeace Fund$25K

Grant Size Distribution

107 grants across all recorded years

91<$50K6$50–100K10$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

  • Cambridge Trust - Trustee (10 hours/week, $139,448)
  • Susan K Syversen - Advisory Committee (2.5 hours/week, $32,974)
  • John R Dunnell - Advisory Committee (2.5 hours/week, $32,974)

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Cambridge TrustTrustee$139KSusan K SyversenAdvisory Committee$33KJohn R DunnellAdvisory Committee$33K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
Cambridge TrustTrustee10$139,448
Susan K SyversenAdvisory Committee2.5$32,974
John R DunnellAdvisory Committee2.5$32,974

Contact Information

Address: 605 Broadway, LF-41 Saugus, MA 01906-3283

Phone: 617-897-1124

EIN: 04-3397681

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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