Established in 1988 by Leonard and Claire Tow, the foundation envisions a society where all people have the opportunity to enjoy a high quality of life and voice in their community. It aims to support non-profit organizations serving vulnerable populations, helping individuals become positive societal contributors. The foundation focuses on alleviating suffering, offering joy, and leveraging resources to achieve greater impacts. It funds transformative projects and collaborative ventures in juvenile and criminal justice reform, medical research, higher education, and cultural institutions, aiming for breakthroughs and benefits for underserved populations.
The grant program is dedicated to creating a future where all individuals are healthy, safe, and free to lead fulfilling lives by focusing on addressing and rectifying harm caused by unjust systems through advocacy for equity and justice. This involves investments in policy change aimed at ending mass incarceration and criminalization, alongside support for direct service organizations aiding those impacted by such systems. The foundation emphasizes: