The Tow Foundation Inc
Preselected recipients only
The Tow Foundation Inc is a private foundation in New Canaan, Connecticut. In tax year 2025 it gave $46.8 million in 206 grants; the typical grant was $100,000 and the largest $5.0 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$46.8 million
- Number of grants206
- Typical grant$100,000
- Largest grant$5.0 million
- Assets$416 million
- New grantees31%
Giving in 2025 was up from $26.2 million the year before.
31% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $23.9 million | 222 | $404 million |
| 2024 | $26.2 million | 213 | $416 million |
| 2025 | $46.8 million | 206 | $416 million |
How to apply
The Tow Foundation Inc says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Tow Foundation Inc funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 12 states, the most to New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 112 | $29.5 million |
| Connecticut | 36 | $5.2 million |
| Pennsylvania | 11 | $3.9 million |
| District of Columbia | 18 | $2.7 million |
| California | 13 | $2.0 million |
| Florida | 3 | $1.3 million |
| Massachusetts | 7 | $992,500 |
| Washington | 1 | $415,000 |
| North Carolina | 2 | $400,000 |
| Oregon | 1 | $334,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York | Biomedical research building | $5.0 million |
| Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center | The initiative in radiotheranostics | $1.6 million |
| Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program | Donor advised fund contribution 1 | $1.4 million |
| New York Genome Center Inc | Women's genetics center | $1.4 million |
| The Hospital for Special Surgeries | Realizing the promise of precision medicine and tissue regeneration in autoimmune and musculoskeletal diseases | $1.2 million |
| Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center | The tow initiative in computational immuno-oncology | $1.2 million |
| Immigrant Justice Corps | General operating support | $1.0 million |
| Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts Inc | West project capital campaign | $1.0 million |
| University of Miami | Ai-based myeloma research | $1.0 million |
| University of New Haven | Community and civic engagement center | $1.0 million |
| Vera Institute of Justice Inc | General operating support | $1.0 million |
| Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program | Donor advised fund contribution 3 | $700,000 |
| Norwalk Hospital Association | The claire tow intensive care unit (icu) at norwalk hospital | $600,000 |
| Bard College | The leonard and claire tow chair in democracy and education | $500,000 |
| Better Angels Society | Ken burns film: crime and punishment in america | $500,000 |
| Brooklyn College Foundation Inc | Tow mentoring initiative | $500,000 |
| Connecticut Children's Foundation Inc | Strengthening the connections to opportunities for prevention engagement (scope) | $500,000 |
| Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism Cuny Foundation Inc | Relaunch of the tow-knight center | $500,000 |
| National Black Theater Workshop Inc | General operating support | $500,000 |
| New York Shakespeare Festival | The public theater's capital campaign | $500,000 |
| Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York | Establishment of the leonard tow professorship of journalism | $500,000 |
| Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York | Ai and journalism: a research initiative at the tow center for digital journalism | $500,000 |
| Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York | Endowed professorship/linda p. Fried distinguished professor | $500,000 |
| Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program | Donor advised fund contribution 5 | $500,000 |
| Vera Institute of Justice Inc | General operating support | $450,000 |
| Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program | Donor advised fund contribution 6 | $447,498 |
| Now Matters Now | General operating support | $415,000 |
| Norwalk Hospital Association | Pulmonary fellowship program | $400,000 |
| Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York | Als center challenge grant | $400,000 |
| Homeboy Industries | General operating support | $334,000 |
| Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project | General operating support | $334,000 |
| New Venture Fund | Communities for just schools fund | $334,000 |
| New York State Community Arch | Wellness workforce collaborative | $334,000 |
| Our Children's Trust | General operating support | $334,000 |
| St Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center | Cares program | $334,000 |
| Tapestry Family Services | General operating support | $334,000 |
| Catalyst CT | Amplifying resident voices | $333,250 |
| Research Foundation of the City University of New York | Tow advocacy fellowship initiative | $330,000 |
| Brooklyn College Foundation Inc | Tania leon chair | $300,000 |
| Civic News Company | General operating support | $300,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Amy Lefkof
- Andrew Tow
- Benjamin Jackson
- David Tobias
- Emily Tow
- Frank Tow
- Hope Jackson
- Leonard Tow Deceased
- Molly Tow
- Olivia Tow
- Scott Schneider
- Susan Ransden
- Teresa Law
Questions people ask
Does The Tow Foundation Inc accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Tow Foundation Inc give?
$46.8 million in tax year 2025, across 206 grants, with a typical grant of $100,000.
Who runs The Tow Foundation Inc?
Its 2025 filing lists Amy Lefkof (Secretary), Andrew Tow (Vice Chair), Benjamin Jackson (Director) and David Tobias (Assistant Treasurer) among 13 officers and trustees.
What does The Tow Foundation Inc fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, health and science and research.