Founded in 2007 by philanthropist Laurie M. Tisch, the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund supports innovative strategies to address long-standing problems in New York City. 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 access to positive and enriching opportunities that define a full range of human experience 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 targets philanthropic investments that inspire new ideas and fresh approaches to improve the status quo. The foundation is organized around a core mission of access and opportunity and uses these principles to develop initiatives and to issue grants.