Equity & Justice Initiative Grants

Overview

_NOTE: Although we don’t accept unsolicited grant applications, we’re always interested in knowing who’s out there. Get in touch with us by email or through our contact form._

Vision

To promote wellness and access to opportunities so that individuals and communities can thrive.

Grounded in our work in Connecticut and New York, we support visionary leaders and nonprofit organizations that serve historically marginalized populations, help individuals contribute to their communities, and champion advancements and experiences that make it possible for all people to live healthy and joyous lives.

Our Story

The Tow Foundation was established in 1988 by Leonard and Claire Tow as a way to give back to the communities that shaped them.

Leonard and Claire’s three children, Andrew, Emily and Frank, joined the board of directors soon after its inception, and our initial investments were largely guided by the personal passions of the boardroom. With a focus on New York, our earliest grants went to innovative projects in the fields of medical research and higher education.

As our organization evolved, so did our areas of support. Emily Tow was hired as the Foundation’s president and first full-time staff member in 1995. Motivated by the belief that every child deserves an opportunity to thrive, our grantmaking expanded to include nonprofits with a focus on youth justice. As the years went by, the transformative power of theater and performing arts led us to add culture as a core area of interest.

Today, our five primary impact areas are

* Arts and culture,
* Higher education,
* Civic engagement,
* Equity and justice
* Medicine and public health.

What We Fund - Justice Initiatives

We must address the harm caused by unfair systems and work to build new ones grounded in equity and justice. To realize a future in which all people are healthy, safe, and free to lead a fulfilling life, there must be a commitment to racial equity and justice.

We invest in work at the policy-change level to end mass incarceration, mass criminalization, and other harmful systems. We also fund direct service organizations working to support and empower individuals and families who have been impacted by these systems.

* Advocacy, organizing, and coalition-building, led by directly impacted leaders
* Initiatives that affirm the humanity and dignity of people who are incarcerated and remove barriers to their success
* Opportunities, care, and resources for individuals impacted by the criminal legal system
* Cross-disciplinary, intersectional approaches to achieving equity and justice

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

* Nonprofits must be invited to apply.