Tides (organization)

Tides is a donor advised fund that directs money to politically liberal causes. Founded in 1976 in San Francisco, Tides provides money to organizations working to advance progressive policy in the areas of the environment, health care, labor issues, immigrant rights, gay rights, women's rights and human rights. Tides oversees the Tides Center, which serves as an incubator for fledgling progressive organizations.

History

Tides was founded in 1976 by Drummond Pike. Jane Bagley Lehman, heir to the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company fortune, was also involved with the founding of Tides. Tides was conceived as a nationally oriented community foundation, and founded out of Pike's frustration with established philanthropy's perceived neglect of progressive issues. Drummond founded a similar organization, Tides Canada, in 2000.

Tides grew to become the most frequently used donor advised fund for wealthy West Coast liberals who did not want to start their own family foundations. By 2009, Tides was responsible for allocating $75 million per year in donor money, most of which went to fund progressive political causes.