Towards Sustainability Foundation
Historical FunderSaugus, Massachusetts · EIN 04-3397681 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$849K
Organizations funded25
Typical grant$25,000
Total assets$20.6M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $20,000 and $25,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | Susan K Syversen |
|---|---|
| Address | 16 Homestead Road, Marblehead MA 01945 |
| Phone | 6178971124 |
| towsstnblty@aol.com | |
| Form and materials | A cover letter making request of grant, specifics of how the grant will be used by the solicitor, and how that use will tend to promote the Organization's purpose as described in subparagraph d of this Part, along with the solicitor's most current financial statement, the solicitor's IRS determination letter and most recently filed Form 990, Part IV, Schedule A. |
| Deadlines | May 15 for consideration of grant for the Organization's fiscal year ending September 30. |
| Restrictions | Towards Sustainability Foundation ("TSF") intends to provide financial support only to 501(c)(3) public charities which 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. |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
56% of grants went outside Massachusetts.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Planned Parenthood Federation of America | New York, NY | General Support | $100,000 |
| Tufts University - Friedman School of Nutrition and Science Policy | Boston, MA | AFE/New Entry Sustainable Farming | $95,000 |
| Food Project | Lincoln, MA | General Purposes | $30,000 |
| Womens Microfinance Initiative | Cabin John, MD | General Purposes | $30,000 |
| Essex County Greenbelt | Essex, MA | General Purposes | $25,000 |
| Green America | Washington, DC | General Purposes | $25,000 |
| GreenPeace Fund | Washington, DC | Protecting Ocean Biodiversity | $25,000 |
| Madre | Etna, NH | Advancing Climate Justice Initiative | $25,000 |
| Massachusetts Audubon Society | Lincoln, MA | General Purposes | $25,000 |
| Nature Conservancy - MA Chapter | Boston, MA | General Purposes | $25,000 |
| Oxfam-America | Boston, MA | General Purposes | $25,000 |
| Rainforest Alliance | New York, NY | Women Entreprenuers - Coffee and Cocoa Chains | $25,000 |
| American Friends Service Committee | Philadelphia, PA | Peace & Livelihoods Programs | $20,000 |
| Creative Action Institute | Ipswich, MA | General Purposes | $20,000 |
| Gulf of Maine Institute | West Newbury, MA | General Purposes | $20,000 |
| Lloyd Center for the Environment | Dartmouth, MA | Environmental Science Education Programs | $20,000 |
| Rodale Institute | Kutztown, PA | Zapping Weeds in Soybean | $20,000 |
| Safe Passage | Baltimore, MD | General Purposes | $20,000 |
| Cisa | South Deerfield, MA | General Purposes | $15,000 |
| Red Tomato | Providence, RI | General Purposes | $15,000 |
| Gather | Portsmouth, NH | Teaching Garden Pilot Program | $10,000 |
| Natik Esperanza | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Pueblo a Pueblo Sustainble Livelihoods Program | $9,150 |
| Farm School | Athol, MA | General Purposes | $5,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $849,150 | 25 |
| 2023 | $825,000 | 24 |
| 2022 | $845,000 | 28 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Feb 11, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202640429349100129
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 04-3397681
- Profile updated Nov 6, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.