Dancing Tides Foundation concentrates large gifts to a small set of national and local organizations, favoring international relief, urban antipoverty work, K–8 independent school support, and mainstream environmental conservation. They make multi-hundred-thousand- to multi-million-dollar contributions and often give repeatedly to the same institutions, indicating multi-year partnerships rather than one-off small grants. Their portfolio blends global humanitarian funding with targeted investments in education and land/conservation.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants with repeat funding to a small number of anchor grantees—mix of national/international NGOs and a favored private school; few grants but large amounts.
Notable grantees: International Rescue Committee, Robin Hood / RobinHood Foundation, Crane Country Day School, The Nature Conservancy
A defining feature of Dancing Tides Foundation Inc C/o Flsv Seth Starr is its repeated use of large charitable contributions to the same organizations over multiple years. The International Rescue Committee received $1,000,000 in both 2024 and 2025, while Robin Hood was awarded $750,000 in both of those years after a $750,000 grant in 2023 under the Robinhood Foundation name. That pattern points to a funder that builds around continuing relationships rather than isolated gifts. The foundation’s giving also reaches beyond humanitarian relief into education and conservation. Crane Country Day School received $525,000 in 2023, followed by $400,000 in 2024 and $400,000 in 2025. The Nature Conservancy appears in the recent record as both The Nature Conservancy and Nature Conservancy, with grants of $400,000 and $250,000 in 2024 and 2025, plus a $400,000 gift in 2023 under the New York listing. Across the file, the foundation pairs high-dollar support with a narrow set of recurring institutions.
In humanitarian aid, the foundation made a $1,000,000 grant in 2025 to International Rescue Committee, matching a $1,000,000 grant in 2024 and a $500,000 grant in 2023 to the same organization. That makes refugee and emergency assistance one of the clearest through-lines in the record. In urban antipoverty work, Robin Hood received $750,000 in 2025 after the same amount in 2024, with a $750,000 grant in 2023 recorded under Robinhood Foundation. For education, Crane Country Day School received $525,000 in 2023 and $400,000 in both 2024 and 2025. The foundation also backed environmental conservation through The Nature Conservancy, including $400,000 in 2024 and $250,000 in 2025.
Typical grant sizes sit at $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent-gifts record, however, is dominated by much larger charitable contributions, including repeated six- and seven-figure awards to the same organizations across 2023, 2024, and 2025. That suggests a portfolio with both smaller grants and a separate layer of major recurring commitments. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
$4.5M
$20.3M
$4.7M
$4.6M
Most grants fall between $5K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
About 25% of grants go to recipients in CA.
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Giving is national, and every recent grant in the file goes to a U.S. recipient. New York City is a major destination, with grants to organizations such as Robin Hood, International Rescue Committee, Charity Water, New Classrooms Innovation, and Math for America. Other recurring recipient locations include Santa Barbara and Carpinteria in California, San Francisco in California, and Portland in Oregon. The top state by grant count is Massachusetts, while 25% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s home state of New York.
The recent record centers on refugee and emergency humanitarian assistance, urban antipoverty work, independent K–8 school support, and environmental conservation. Those themes appear through recurring gifts to International Rescue Committee, Robin Hood, Crane Country Day School, and The Nature Conservancy.
Yes. Several organizations appear in consecutive years with similar or repeated amounts, including International Rescue Committee in 2024 and 2025 at $1,000,000 each, Robin Hood in 2024 and 2025 at $750,000 each, and Crane Country Day School in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The stated distribution is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes much larger awards, showing that the foundation makes both smaller grants and major commitments.
The giving is national, with all recent grants going to U.S. recipients. By grant count, Massachusetts is the top state, while 25% of grants go to recipients in New York, the foundation’s headquarters state.
It is classified as a regular funder and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The recent record shows charitable contributions rather than program-related investments, with repeated support for the same organizations over multiple years.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| ROBIN HOOD | NEW YORK, NY | $750,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CRANE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $400,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $250,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CATE SCHOOL | CARPINTERIA, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| NEW CLASSROOMS INNOVATION | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CHARITY WATER | FRANKLIN, TN | $100,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| AMERICANA MUSIC ASSOC FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $60,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| STORY TELLER | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $60,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| GOD'S LOVE WE DELIVER | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| PARKINSONS WELLNESS INITIATIVE FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| MATH FOR AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| JOCOTOCO CONSERVATION ORG | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| DIRECT RELIEF | GOLETA, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| MATH FOR AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $40,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| FOODBANK OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY | GOLETA, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| ASPETUCK LAND TRUST | WESTPORT, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA REGENT | OAKLAND, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| MATH FOR AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| INNOVATIONS FOR POVERTY ACTION | NEWARK, DE | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| MALAMA KUA AINA | HANALEI, HI | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| SANTA BARBARA BUCKET BRIGADE | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| MERCY CORPS | PORTLAND, OR | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| THE LAND TRUST FOR SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| WATERKEEP ALLIANCE | IRVINGTON, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CRANE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| WHITE BUFFALO LAND TRUST | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| THE PUBLIC THEATERNEW YORK SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| HUMANS RIGHTS WATCH | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| SANTA BARBARA BOWL FDN | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| UCLA JONSSON COMPREHESIVE CANCER FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| SANTA BARBARA COTTAGE CHILDREN | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| MISSION SCHOLARS | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| SANTA BARBARA ZOO | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| SANTA BARBARA CHANNEL KEEPER | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| MATH FOR AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| URBAN ARTS PARTNERSHIP | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| THORN | EL SEGUNDO, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CANCER RESEARCH INSTITURE | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| MATH FOR AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| WILDERNESS YOUTH PROJECT | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| COHEN VETERANS NETWORK INC | STAMFORD, CT | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| YALE UNIVERSITY | NEW HAVEN, CT | $18,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| POCONO ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION | DINGMANS FERRY, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
CRANE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
$400,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
CATE SCHOOL
$200,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
AMERICANA MUSIC ASSOC FOUNDATION
$60,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
STORY TELLER
$60,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
PARKINSONS WELLNESS INITIATIVE FOUNDATION
$50,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
MATH FOR AMERICA
$50,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
JOCOTOCO CONSERVATION ORG
$50,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
MATH FOR AMERICA
$40,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
ASPETUCK LAND TRUST
$25,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA REGENT
$25,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
MATH FOR AMERICA
$25,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
INNOVATIONS FOR POVERTY ACTION
$25,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE CENTER
$25,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
MALAMA KUA AINA
$25,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
WATERKEEP ALLIANCE
$25,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
CRANE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
$25,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
HUMANS RIGHTS WATCH
$20,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
UCLA JONSSON COMPREHESIVE CANCER FOUNDATION
$20,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
$20,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
SANTA BARBARA COTTAGE CHILDREN
$20,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
MISSION SCHOLARS
$20,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
$20,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
SANTA BARBARA ZOO
$20,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
MATH FOR AMERICA
$20,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
$20,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
CANCER RESEARCH INSTITURE
$20,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
MATH FOR AMERICA
$20,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
WILDERNESS YOUTH PROJECT
$20,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
COHEN VETERANS NETWORK INC
$20,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
YALE UNIVERSITY
$18,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
POCONO ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
$15,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION