Our History
The Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, established in 2007, grew out of Ms. Tisch's desire to shift her focus from part–time to full–time philanthropy and a realignment of her giving priorities. Inspired by her parents, Joan H. Tisch and the late Preston Robert Tisch, Ms. Tisch sought a philanthropic outlet that would advance the idea that everyone should have an opportunity to live the American Dream, and that circumstances of birth should not limit choices or short circuit success for anyone. The vision for the foundation is characterized by the word illumination – a metaphor for the ways in which the foundation will use its resources to make philanthropic investments that inspire new ideas and fresh thinking about problems and solutions. The foundation is organized around a core mission of access and opportunity and it will use this programmatic focus to develop initiatives and filter grant requests.