About Us

Our History

Unbound Philanthropy is a private grantmaking foundation formed in 2003.

We were founded on the value of self-determination — that each person has the freedom and opportunity to fulfill their potential, with equal opportunity for all — with immigration in the US and UK as our focus. Read about What We Stand For

2003 – 2008

The Board made small exploratory grants to focus its vision and mission. 

2008 – 2012

Unbound hired its first professional staff, under the leadership of Taryn Higashi, to develop programs and opened an office in New York.

2012 – 2014

Unbound increased its staff size and opened an office in London.

2014 – Present

Unbound adopted its first Strategic Plan in 2014-18; and has continuously adopted new Strategic Plans every 5 years since.

We are honored to have received the following awards and recognition:
  • 2023: Unbound Philanthropy was honored to be part of Chinese for Affirmative Action’s 2023 Celebration of Justice.
  • 2021: We were the 2021 recipient of NAKASEC’s People Power Award.
  • 2020: Taryn Higashi and Unbound Philanthropy received United We Dream’s first ever Believers Award.
  • 2019: Unbound Philanthropy received the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy “Mover and Shaker” Impact Award, celebrating its leadership in narrative grantmaking.