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BLOG POST: Leveraging internal innovation for external impact

Originally posted on Philanthropy News Digest’s blog. By Emily Tow, President of The Tow Foundation Over the last two years, as philanthropy mobilized in new and creative ways to respond to the unique and compounding challenges of COVID-19, we saw billions of grant dollars go out in new, innovative, rapid, and more decentralized ways. Yet … Continued

The Tow Foundation Launches New ‘Innovation Fund’ with $1.5M in Grants

NEW CANAAN, CT – The Tow Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded a total of $1.5 million in grant funding to support 10 exciting nonprofit programs as part of its newly created Innovation Fund. Based in six states, the 10 Innovation Grant recipients were selected from a pool of more than 400 … Continued

Kovie Biakolo and Kalli Anderson Announced as Tow Professors

Kovie Biakolo, director of the Arts and Culture Reporting Program at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, and Kalli Anderson, director of Audio Journalism, have been named Tow Professors for the 2022-2024 academic years. The professorships enable CUNY’s Newmark J-School to support the research of two teachers who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in their … Continued

Diana Echevarria Joins The Tow Foundation as Senior Program Officer

The Tow Foundation is pleased to announce that Diana Echevarria has joined its team as senior program officer. In her newly created role, Diana will work closely with the president of the Foundation and the program team to envision, identify and cultivate potential grant opportunities and support the Foundation’s overall philanthropic strategy. With extensive experience … Continued

Supporting Future of Blood Cancer Research

The Tow Foundation has committed $2 million to support multiple myeloma research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami. The work will be led by Dr. C. Ola Landgren (pictured above) and will focus on studying early detection and predisposition for multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. To learn more, visit CURRENT … Continued

CUNY Launches Criminal Justice Reporting Initiative

Last week, CUNY’s Craig Newmark Journalism School announced the launch of its Criminal Justice Reporting Initiative. ⁠ ⁠ Created with support from The Tow Foundation and in collaboration with THE CITY, this program will offer a two-day workshop for mid-career journalists and a 14-week course for J-School students. ⁠ “We are thrilled that The Tow Foundation … Continued

Innovation Fund External Reviewers

In December 2021, The Tow Foundation announced our commitment of up to $1 million to support groundbreaking, early-stage initiatives through the creation of a dedicated Innovation Fund. For more information about the Fund, please read our launch post here. Now that the application period has closed, we turn our attention to assembling a diverse committee … Continued

The Tow Foundation Innovation Fund

  QUICK ACCESS: RESOURCES External Reviewers Information Sheet Grant Application (closes Feb. 28, 2022 at 11:59pm EST) Recently expanded application FAQ Informational Webinar For additional questions, please read our initial launch announcement below or contact innovation@towfoundation.org. INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT – DEC. 17, 2021 NEW CANAAN, CT – The Tow Foundation is committing up to $1 million … Continued

Grantee Partners Call For Solutions To Rikers Crisis

In a letter to NYC District Attorneys, a coalition of 21 organizations (including 11 grantees) called for the immediate decarceration of Rikers Island. Recent reports from the jail paint a picture of inhumane conditions, extreme violence and severe staffing shortages. Of the nearly 6,000 people held at Rikers, almost 90% are Black and/or Latinx and 85% are … Continued

Alina Malek and Emily Laber-Warren Announced as Tow Professors

As Tow Professors at Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, Alina Malek and Emily Laber-Warren serve as leaders in both higher education and journalism. Malek (above) is a journalist and former civil rights lawyer and serves as the director of International Reporting Program. Laber-Warren is a long-time science journalist and serves as the … Continued