What Tides Foundation does

Tides Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit philanthropic organization founded in 1976 by Drummond Pike in San Francisco, operating as a network of five legally distinct but coordinated entities: Tides Network (the home office providing shared services), Tides Center (fiscal sponsorship), Tides Foundation (donor advised fund administration and grantmaking), Tides Two Rivers Fund (New York real estate), and Tides Inc. (San Francisco real estate). The organization manages $875M in assets across 400+ donor advised funds, 120+ active fiscally sponsored projects, and 8 themed collective action funds spanning climate justice, democracy, immigrant rights, health equity, gender justice, and crisis response. Tides reported reaching 4,000+ grantees in 2023 and has fiscally sponsored over 1,400 projects across its five-decade history.

The core business model combines fee-for-service managed services with recurring subscription-like revenue. Fiscal sponsorship under Tides Center's Model A charges 9% of project revenue (15% for government sources) for comprehensive back-office support including financial management, legal frameworks, HR services, and compliance, reducing typical nonprofit overhead from 20-30% to 9%. Donor advised funds under Tides Foundation charge 1-5% depending on structure, with Tides reporting a 54% DAF payout rate versus the 22.5% national average. Social Purpose Real Estate operates Tides Converge, providing below-market co-working space in San Francisco (150,000 sq ft in the historic Letterman Hospital at the Presidio, opened 1996) and New York (LEED-certified Manhattan building opened 2007), housing 70+ mission-driven organizations and saving Bay Area nonprofits over $13M in rent. Additional revenue derives from collective action fund management, impact investing services, and strategic advising.

Tides serves four primary customer segments: Social Change Leaders needing operational infrastructure (emerging nonprofits, grassroots organizers, social entrepreneurs), Individual and Family Donors seeking tax-efficient philanthropic vehicles, Corporations designing equity-centered philanthropy programs (including Google.org), and Foundations leveraging Tides' grantmaking infrastructure for collaborative funding. The organization employs 251-500 staff, is governed by an independent board, and operates without a parent company or external investor ownership, having grown organically across five decades. Its competitive position rests on network effects among 4,000+ grantees, switching costs from embedded infrastructure, the Nonprofit Centers Network advisory practice, and a 50-year institutional brand in progressive philanthropy infrastructure.

Name

Tides Foundation

Legal name

Tides Foundation

Website

https://tides.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Tides Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1976 that provides philanthropic infrastructure for progressive social justice causes, including donor advised funds, fiscal sponsorship for 120+ projects, and 8 themed collective action funds managing $875M in assets to channel resources to historically excluded communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Philanthropic Services and Fiscal Sponsorship

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Family Offices & Philanthropic Advisors (Grantmaking) (BPAGAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH), Philanthropy & Foundations Advisory (Donor-Advised Funds, Endowments) (FSAAABAH)

Keywords

• Philanthropic infrastructure services
• Fiscal sponsorship programs
• Donor advised fund administration
• Nonprofit back office support
• Social justice grantmaking

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Fiscal Sponsorship Fees: Tides Center charges 9% of annual revenue for comprehensive fiscal sponsorship services including financial management, legal framework, and capacity-building support. Projects exceeding $1 million in operational activity may qualify for reduced fees on revenue above that threshold. Government funding carries a higher 15% fee due to increased auditing and reporting requirements.
2. Donor Advised Fund Administration: Fees range from 1% on standard donor advised funds to 5% for funds supporting single domestic or international projects or organizations. Tides Foundation holds over 400 donor advised funds and processes grant recommendations from fund advisors.
3. Social Purpose Real Estate: Tides Converge provides bi-coastal shared nonprofit workspaces in San Francisco and New York. Revenue is generated through below-market office space leasing and coworking programs. The San Francisco location opened in 1996 with 150,000 square feet, having saved Bay Area nonprofits over $13 million in rent.
4. Collective Action Fund Management: Tides manages collective action funds with independent advisory committees. These purpose-driven funds channel grants from multiple sources toward specific charitable purposes. Tides exercises legal compliance and mission alignment oversight while following IAC recommendations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Tides Foundation provides fiscal sponsorship services, donor advised fund administration, collective action fund management, impact investing, and strategic philanthropic advising for donors, foundations, corporations, and social change organizations. Through its related entity Tides Center, it offers comprehensive back-office infrastructure (financial, HR, legal, compliance) to mission-driven nonprofits, and through Tides Converge it operates nonprofit co-working office space in San Francisco and New York. The organization manages more than $875 million in assets and has fiscally sponsored over 1,400 projects since 1976.

Product overview

Tides Foundation is a nonprofit philanthropic organization that provides a comprehensive suite of grantmaking and nonprofit support services centered in equity and justice. The core offerings include Social Justice Philanthropy (comprising Donor Advised Funds, Collective Action Funds, Social Change Leader Funds, Impact Investing, and Strategic Advising & Consulting), Fiscal Sponsorship (including Model A comprehensive services through Tides Center and Model C Single Entity Funds through Tides Foundation), and Social Purpose Real Estate (Tides Converge workspaces and the Nonprofit Centers Network). Additionally, Tides operates eight themed fund initiatives including the Healthy Democracy Fund, Just Health Fund, Women's Environmental Leadership Fund, Advancing Girls Fund, Frontline Justice Fund, Immigrants Belong Fund, Stronger Together Fund, and Crisis Response Fund. Together, these products provide donors with philanthropic infrastructure to move resources to social change leaders while offering nonprofits operational support, legal frameworks, and workspace solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tides Center: Provides fiscal sponsorship and nonprofit acceleration services, offering 501(c)(3) status and comprehensive back-office support to social change organizations.
• Tides Converge
• Tides Network
• Nonprofit Centers Network
• Healthy Democracy Fund
• Just Health Fund
• Women's Environmental Leadership Fund
• Advancing Girls Fund
• Frontline Justice Fund
• Immigrants Belong Fund
• Stronger Together Fund
• Crisis Response Fund

Products and services

• Donor Advised Funds Philanthropic giving vehicles that allow donors to contribute assets to a fund held by Tides Foundation and recommend grants to qualified charities over time, receiving tax benefits while maintaining advisory involvement. Tides Foundation holds over 400 donor advised funds.
• Collective Action Funds Purpose-driven funds that rely on independent advisory committees to make grant recommendations in support of specific charitable purposes, enabling coordinated philanthropy among multiple donors toward shared social justice goals.
• Social Change Leader Funds Funds designed to support individual social change leaders and emerging organizers, providing them with resources and infrastructure to advance mission-driven work in social justice movements.
• Impact Investing Mission-related investment services that deploy philanthropic assets to generate both financial returns and measurable community benefit, extending the reach of charitable capital into investments such as community development financial institutions and worker-owned cooperatives.
• Strategic Advising and Consulting Personalized guidance and consulting services helping donors and partners clarify fund goals, optimize grantmaking approaches, and build more effective charitable projects aligned with social justice priorities.
• Fiscal Sponsorship - Model A (Comprehensive) Full-scale fiscal sponsorship through Tides Center providing 501(c)(3) status, financial management, legal framework, human resources, compliance support, and capacity-building services for mission-driven organizations. Charges 9% of annual revenue.
• Single Entity Funds (Model C Fiscal Sponsorship) A Tides Foundation solution enabling organizations without 501(c)(3) status to receive tax-deductible donations for specific charitable projects without forming their own nonprofit, with Tides reviewing and overseeing all contributions. Charges 5% fee.
• Tides Converge Co-Working Spaces Bi-coastal shared nonprofit workspaces in San Francisco and New York City offering below-market, stable, high-quality collaborative office space for nonprofits and mission-aligned social ventures. San Francisco location opened 1996 with 150,000 sq ft housing 60+ organizations; New York opened 2007 with 10+ nonprofits.
• Nonprofit Centers Network A Tides initiative since 2010 providing expertise, experience, knowledge, and networks to help nonprofits and foundations create and operate successful nonprofit facilities projects.
• Healthy Democracy Fund A Tides-led initiative investing in organizations and networks working to increase youth voting, civic engagement, and democratic participation through movement building. Supports grantees such as Working Families Party, Movement Voter Fund, Detroit Action, and Engage Miami.
• Just Health Fund A Tides-led initiative focused on advancing health equity and justice through targeted grantmaking and community support for organizations working on healthcare access, public health equity, and reproductive justice.
• Women's Environmental Leadership Fund An initiative supporting women leaders in environmental justice and climate action, providing resources and capacity building for grassroots environmental work.
• Advancing Girls Fund A Tides-led initiative focused on advancing opportunities and resources for girls, particularly those from historically marginalized communities, through youth leadership and empowerment programs.
• Frontline Justice Fund An initiative supporting frontline communities and organizations confronting environmental injustice and climate impacts, helping local leaders confront big polluters. Supports partners such as Navajo Power, Iroquois Valley Farmland REIT, Seed Commons, and Housing Assistance Council.
• Immigrants Belong Fund An initiative leveraging the narrative and storytelling power of immigrant communities and proximate leaders in the U.S. to foster a pro-immigrant future based on shared values and belonging. Supports grantees including Black Alliance for Just Immigration and Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition.
• Stronger Together Fund A Tides-led initiative supporting collective action and coalition-building among social justice organizations working on intersectional issues.
• Crisis Response Fund A Tides-led fund providing rapid response resources and support for emerging crises affecting communities fighting for justice and equity.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tides partners achieved passage of federal investment packages totaling nearly $3.5 trillion since 2019 through Green New Deal Network collective action
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Green New Deal NetworkflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Tides partnered with Green New Deal Network—a coalition of 14+ environmental and climate justice organizations—to oversee grantmaking administration and due diligence for climate policy advocacy. The partnership enabled efficient channeling of funds to local leadership and helped pass federal investment packages totaling nearly $3.5 trillion.
• Google.orgcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGoogle.org partners with Tides for philanthropy programs, including cybersecurity events and corporate giving initiatives.
• NoVo FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNoVo Foundation logo appears among Tides partners, indicating collaborative funding relationships in social justice philanthropy.
• Pledge 1%minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate philanthropy initiative with shared commitment to directing resources to social causes.
• Cities UnitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on advancing equity and social justice in urban communities.
• Fifth Star FundscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhilanthropic partner supporting social justice initiatives and funding programs.
• LeaderSpring CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFiscally sponsored partner focused on leadership development for women of color, featured in WOC LeadStrong events.
• Children's Rights Innovation FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization advancing children's rights through innovation and strategic initiatives.
• National Farm to School NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting local food systems and farm-to-school programs through philanthropy.
• The Lawyering ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal organization partner working on reproductive justice and civil rights issues.
• Navajo PowerflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNative-majority-owned Public Benefit Corporation rebuilding who benefits from clean energy transition. Tides Frontline Justice Fund supports their work developing 1,800 MW of utility-scale solar on Navajo Nation, bringing off-grid solar to 476 homes in 2025.
• Iroquois Valley Farmland REITflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact investing partner providing patient capital for organic and regenerative farmers to transition acreage. Deployed $124 million across 36,000+ acres and 65 farmers in the Midwest.
• Seed CommonsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperatively-governed CDFI deploying nonextractive capital through place-based member funds. Deployed $121 million into worker-owned cooperatives and community enterprises since 2011.
• Housing Assistance CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRural housing organization providing below-market financing, technical assistance, and policy advocacy to help communities build and preserve affordable homes.
• Coastal Conservation LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Carolina organization supporting farmers and protecting working lands, demonstrating that conservation and economic growth can go hand in hand.
• Nipmuc Land ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMassachusetts organization connecting food systems, cultural history, and community resilience through Indigenous land stewardship and traditional crop cultivation.
• Center for Rural AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnsures rural priorities are heard in national policy conversations, advocating for equitable implementation of major federal investments like the Inflation Reduction Act.
• Movement Voter FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthy Democracy Fund grantee supporting grassroots voter engagement and progressive political organizing.
• Make the Road PennsylvaniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthy Democracy Fund grantee organizing for immigrant and worker rights in Pennsylvania.
• Black Alliance for Just ImmigrationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImmigrants Belong Fund grantee led by Black women, advancing immigrant rights through narrative and organizing work.
• Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImmigrants Belong Fund grantee successfully defeating dozens of anti-immigrant bills through grassroots lobbying and civic engagement.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Fidelity Charitable: The largest DAF sponsor in the U.S., operated as part of Fidelity Investments' broader financial services ecosystem. Competes with Tides for HNW donor-advised fund business and represents the scale ceiling Tides operates beneath.
• Open Society Foundations: Large progressive grantmaking foundation funding social justice causes globally. While not a fiscal sponsor, it represents a peer operating in the same progressive philanthropy ecosystem and overlapping cause areas.
• Schwab Charitable: Major DAF sponsor affiliated with Charles Schwab, serving individual and family donors with donor-advised funds and investment integration. Competes with Tides for HNW philanthropic capital and offers comparable fund structures.
• Foundation Source: Provider of administrative and philanthropic services for private foundations and DAFs, serving individuals and families seeking outsourced foundation management. Competes with Tides for the family foundation and HNW donor services market.

Direct peers

• National Philanthropic Trust: One of the largest independent DAF sponsors in the U.S., administering billions in charitable assets and offering donor advised funds and philanthropic services. Directly comparable to Tides' DAF and grantmaking administration business.
• Arabella Advisors: Philanthropic advisory firm providing strategic advising, fiscal sponsorship, and fund management to donors and foundations pursuing progressive causes. Comparable to Tides' advisory and fund administration offerings.
• Proteus Fund: Fiscal sponsor and pooled fund manager supporting progressive movement infrastructure, including donor advised funds and rapid response grants. Operates a model very similar to Tides' fiscal sponsorship and themed initiatives.
• New Venture Fund: Fiscal sponsor and grantmaking intermediary focused on progressive causes, often partnering with donor networks and movements. Closely comparable to Tides in serving movement-aligned social change leaders through fiscal sponsorship.

Emerging players

• RSF Social Finance: Mission-driven financial services organization offering donor advised funds, impact investing, and social enterprise lending. Comparable to Tides' impact investing and donor advised fund offerings but with a smaller AUM.
• Kataly Foundation: Progressive grantmaking foundation focused on racial equity, economic justice, and movement building. Comparable in mission and grantee base, though operating as an active grantmaker rather than as philanthropic infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@tides_shiftpower
• Facebookfacebook.com/TidesCommunity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tides
• Instagraminstagram.com/tidescommunity
• Xx.com/TidesCommunity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tides Foundation