James and Merryl Tisch
/SOURCE OF WEALTH: Loews Corporation
FUNDING AREAS: Education & Youth, Arts & Culture, Jewish Causes, Policy & Global, Health
OVERVIEW: James and Merryl Tisch conduct their philanthropy through the James S. and Merryl H. Tisch Foundation. Available tax filings show that the foundation awarded $10.5 million in grants in 2017. The couple's giving centers around New York City, with interests in Jewish causes, the arts, education, and more.
BACKGROUND: James S. Tisch graduated from Cornell University, where he majored in economics and holds an MBA from Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania. Tisch is President and CEO of Loews Corporation, which was co-founded by his father Larry Tisch. Loews Corporation is one of the largest diversified companies in the United States, with businesses in the insurance, energy, hospitality and packaging industries.
ISSUES:
EDUCATION & YOUTH: Merryl Tisch has been an educator and education advocate for decades. Her journey began in 1977 when she taught first-graders at New York City’s Ramaz School and the B’nai Jeshurun School. She went on to become Chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents from 2009 to 2016. The couple has supported Merryl's alma mater Barnard College and Tisch's alma mater UPenn. They recently gave a seven-figure gift to Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, home to the Tisch Cancer Institute (TCI), a "National Cancer Institute-designated center, employs a multidisciplinary approach to cancer research and treatment, with the goal of advancing clinical breakthroughs that help prevent and eradicate cancer." Other grantees have included 92nd Street Y Nursery School, Marymount Manhattan College, Prep for Prep, and Success Academy Charter Schools.
ARTS & CULTURE: Tisch is a member of the board of WNET, and is also on the board of The New York Public Library, both of which the Tisches support. Tisch once chaired the board of WNET, the recent recipient of a seven-figure gift from the couple. The couple gave $15 million to create Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center. Other grantees have included International Center of Photography, Lincoln Center, and New York Historical Society.
JEWISH CAUSES: The Tisches are major supporters of Jewish Communal Fund, the recent recipient of around $8.8 million. Tisch and several other family members are trustee emeriti of the board. Other grantees have included Ramaz School (where Merryl once taught), America-Israel Friendship League, Museum of Jewish Heritage, and World Jewish Congress. Tisch was once chairman of the board of United Jewish Communities and president of UJA-Federation of New York.
POLICY & GLOBAL: Tisch is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He has also supported Manhattan Institute, Citizens Budget Commission, New York Council of Defense Lawyers, The Hudson Institute, and the Washington Institute.
HEALTH: Grantees have included Mt. Sinai Hospital (Tisch is on the board of Mount Sinai Medical Center), United Hospital Fund of New York, and David Lynch Foundation. In 2021, Tisch pledged $60 million to create and build the Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center.
LOOKING FORWARD: Expect the couple to continue supporting their established interests. Tisch also has a charitable vehicle called the James S. Tisch Family Foundation, though annual grantmaking has been negligible of late and the current status of the charity is unclear.
CONTACT:
The James S. and Merryl H. Tisch Foundation Inc. does not provide a clear avenue of contact but below is an address:
James S. and Merryl H. Tisch Foundation Inc.
655 Madison Avenue, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10065
LINK: Loews Corporation
