Towards Sustainability Foundation
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
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Towards Sustainability Foundation reported a distributable amount of $881K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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
States
Cities
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%
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
107 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cornell University - Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future ($110,000), Cornell University - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences ($110,000), Planned Parenthood Federation of America ($110,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Friends Service Committee Philadelphia, PA | Peace & Livelihoods Programs | $20,000 |
| CISA South Deerfield, MA | General Purposes | $15,000 |
| Cornell University - Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future Boone, IA | Sustainable Biodiversity Research Program | $110,000 |
| Cornell University - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Ithaca, NY | Organic Farming Research Program | $110,000 |
| Ecologic Development Fund Cambridge, MA | General Purposes | $40,000 |
| Essex County Greenbelt Essex, MA | General Purposes | $25,000 |
| Farm School Athol, MA | General Purposes | $5,000 |
| Food Project Dorchester, MA | General Purposes | $25,000 |
| Green America Washington, DC | General Purposes | $25,000 |
| GreenPeace Fund Washington, DC | Protecting Ocean Biodiversity | $25,000 |
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
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge Trust | Trustee | 10 | $139,448 |
| Susan K Syversen | Advisory Committee | 2.5 | $32,974 |
| John R Dunnell | Advisory Committee | 2.5 | $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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Towards Sustainability Foundation fund?
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
How do I apply for a grant from Towards Sustainability Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** • Typical award range: $5,000–$110,000 • Median grant amount: $20,000 • Average grant amount varies by program **Grant Programs:** • General Purposes (19 recipients, averaging $19,211) • Sustainable Biodiversity Research Program (2 recipients, averaging $105,000) • Women Entrepreneurs - Coffee and Cocoa Program (1 recipient, $25,000) • Pueblo a Pueblo Sustainable Livelihoods Program (1 recipient, $5,000) • Protecting Ocean Biodiversity (1 recipient, averaging $23,333) **Recen…
Where does Towards Sustainability Foundation make 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.
What size grants does Towards Sustainability Foundation award?
In 2024, Towards Sustainability Foundation awarded 24 grants totaling $825K — an average of about $34K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Towards Sustainability Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Towards Sustainability Foundation reported a distributable amount of $881K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Towards Sustainability Foundation's EIN?
Towards Sustainability Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3397681. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Towards Sustainability Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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