Peter & Elizabeth C Tower Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $6+ million
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (foundation is highly supportive throughout process)
Decision Time: 4 months or less (typical)
Grant Range: $5,000 - $450,000 (average ~$30,000)
Geographic Focus: Erie and Niagara Counties (NY); Barnstable, Dukes, Essex, and Nantucket Counties (MA)
Assets: $135+ million

Contact Details

Address: 2351 North Forest Road, Suite 106, Getzville, NY 14068-1225

Phone: 716-689-0370

Email: Info@TheTowerFoundation.org

Website: www.thetowerfoundation.org

Grants Portal: https://towerfdn.link/grants-portal

Schedule Consultation: https://calendly.com/towerfdn-program (highly recommended before applying)

Overview

Founded in 1990 by Peter and Elizabeth Tower, the Peter & Elizabeth C Tower Foundation is a family foundation with over $135 million in assets that distributes more than $6 million annually to organizations serving young people facing significant challenges. Peter Tower, a Niagara Falls native who grew his family's customs brokerage business to 90 times its original size before selling to McGraw-Hill in 1986, established the foundation with his wife Elizabeth, an accomplished painter, guided by the principle that "with prosperity comes responsibility." Today, their daughters Mollie and Cynthia and their husbands serve on the Board, continuing the founders' vision. The foundation focuses exclusively on children, adolescents, and young adults (birth to age 26) facing intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health challenges, and substance use disorders in Western New York and Eastern Massachusetts. The foundation has evolved significantly in recent years, embracing equity-focused grantmaking, participatory approaches involving young people with lived experience, and a shift toward general operating support to provide greater flexibility to partner organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Short-Term General Operating Grants (2026)

Amount: $50,000 per award
Total Available: $1.5 million (30 awards total: 15 per cycle)
Application Method: Online portal, two fixed deadline cycles
Spring Cycle Deadline: February 13, 2026 (decisions by March 27, 2026)
Fall Cycle Deadline: September 25, 2026 (decisions by November 6, 2026)

2. Programs & Services Grants (currently paused for 2025)

Amount: Typically $15,000 - $50,000 per year; most competitive applications are $150,000 total or less over 3 years maximum
Total Annual: $2.8 million available ($1.4 million per cycle when active)
Application Method: Two cycles annually when active
Focus: Direct service programs in the four focus areas

3. Strengthening Partner Capacity Grants (currently paused for 2025)

Amount: $10,000, $20,000, or $30,000
Total Annual: $1,050,000 ($350,000 per cycle)
Application Method: Three cycles annually when active, approximately 20 awards per cycle
Focus: Organizational development including board/leadership development, DEI initiatives, evaluation design, professional development, technology planning, small capital projects
Note: Most grants in this category are by invitation only

4. Community Change Grants (currently paused for 2025)

Application Method: Rolling basis for inquiries
Focus: Collaborative initiatives addressing systemic challenges, coordinating care continuums, workforce development, community coalitions

5. Community Experts Fund

Amount: $200,000-$225,000 distributed through participatory grantmaking
Process: Young adults with lived experience in foundation's focus areas review applications and make funding decisions
Unique Feature: Entirely driven by Community Experts Team members

Priority Areas

Population Focus (Birth to Age 26)

Intellectual disabilities
Learning disabilities
Mental health challenges
Substance use disorders

Equity Commitment The foundation explicitly prioritizes organizations serving marginalized communities including:

Black/African-American communities
Hispanic/Latinx communities
Native American/Indigenous peoples
People with disabilities
Housing insecure populations
Immigrant/refugee communities
LGBTQIA+ populations

The foundation examines the convergence of their focus areas with systemic issues of racism, sexism, classism, and ableism, recognizing that living at the intersection of multiple identities is critically important to their grantmaking.

Geographic Restriction

Western New York: Erie County and Niagara County only
Eastern Massachusetts: Barnstable, Dukes, Essex, and Nantucket Counties only

What They Don't Fund

Organizations outside their specific geographic focus areas
Programs serving populations outside the birth to age 26 range
Causes outside their four focus areas (intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health, substance use disorders)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Tracy A. Sawicki, Executive Director

Leads the foundation's strategic direction and equity initiatives
Notable quote: "The first time I heard an individual with a disability say don't decide anything about me, without me, I was in college. I never forgot this. It really resonated with me."
On partnerships: "We can't do our work without you. We can't get to the results we want without you."
Background: Passionate about inclusion and participatory approaches

Donald W. Matteson, Chief Program Officer

Oversees grant programs and strategy
Focuses on supporting young people and families

Kathleen E. Andriaccio, Director of Finance and Administration

Program Officers

Charles E. Colston, Jr., Program Officer
Megan T. MacDavey, Program Officer
Nicholas G. Randell, Program Officer

Board of Trustees

Allen Booker (joined 2024)
Mollie Byrnes (daughter of founders)
Peter Byrnes
Dr. Marie A. Cannon (joined 2024)
Cynthia Doyle (daughter of founders)
Robert Doyle
Beth Francis
Dr. Jacqueline Hall (joined 2024)
Patricia Meservey
Donna Owens
TJ Quinn
Randy Treece
David Welbourn

Additional Leadership

Manny Cruz, Board Advisor
James Weiss, Trustee Emeritus

The foundation recruited three new board members in 2024 to better reflect the communities they serve, demonstrating commitment to diversity and lived experience representation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: As of early 2025, the Tower Foundation is not accepting applications for Programs & Services, Strengthening Partner Capacity, or Community Change cycles for the remainder of 2025, having shifted to emergency response grantmaking.

Pre-Application Consultation (Highly Recommended)

Schedule a call with a Program Officer: https://calendly.com/towerfdn-program
Email inquiries to: Info@TheTowerFoundation.org
The foundation strongly encourages discussing eligibility and project fit before applying

Application Submission

All applications submitted through online portal: https://towerfdn.link/grants-portal
Technical support: support@thetowerfoundation.org
Accommodation requests: info@thetowerfoundation.org

Current Opportunity (2026)

Short-Term General Operating Grants only
Two application cycles with fixed deadlines
$50,000 awards only

Decision Timeline

Typical Process: 4 months or less from submission to decision

2026 Short-Term General Operating Grants Timeline:

Spring: Applications due February 13, 2026; decisions sent March 27, 2026 (6 weeks)
Fall: Applications due September 25, 2026; decisions sent November 6, 2026 (6 weeks)

Notification Method: Email and through grants portal

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However:

Made 218 awards in 2024
Made 182 awards in 2023
Made 182 awards in 2022

Important Insight from Grant Seekers: The Letter of Inquiry (LOI) stage appears to be the most competitive phase. Once past the LOI, applicants report that program officers become highly invested in helping the application succeed. The foundation has a reputation for being supportive rather than adversarial.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publicly specify a waiting period for unsuccessful applicants. However, applicant experiences indicate:

The foundation provides detailed feedback on rejected applications
Unsuccessful applicants are explicitly encouraged to reapply
Some organizations report being rejected 3 times at the LOI stage before success
The foundation "always gives you the time you need to understand why and encouragement to try again"

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Strengths

1. Strong Geographic and Thematic Alignment Organizations must serve young people (birth to age 26) in their specific counties with programs addressing intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health, or substance use disorders. Applications outside these parameters will not be considered.

2. Equity and Inclusion Commitment The foundation explicitly prioritizes organizations serving marginalized communities. Successful applicants demonstrate:

Service to populations experiencing systemic inequities
Understanding of intersectionality (how race, disability, socioeconomic status, etc. overlap)
Commitment to equity in their organizational practices

3. Engagement with Lived Experience Following Tracy Sawicki's principle of "don't decide anything about me, without me," strong applications show:

Youth voice in program design and delivery
Leadership or meaningful involvement of people with lived experience
Participatory approaches to decision-making

4. Pre-Application Engagement The foundation explicitly states: "Program Officers are very accessible and welcome opportunities to explore concepts and ideas in advance of submitting an application, and potential applicants are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities to help with alignment of the proposal and grant guidelines."

Applicants who schedule consultations before applying have better outcomes because:

Program officers can clarify eligibility early
Discussions help align proposals with current priorities
Relationships begin before formal submission

5. Collaborative Approach The foundation values organizations that:

Work in partnership with other organizations
Coordinate care across systems
Build community coalitions
Challenge existing practices to improve outcomes

6. Clarity and Conciseness Grant seekers advise: "Just make sure to have a clear, succinct idea of what you'd like to communicate." The foundation appreciates straightforward proposals that clearly articulate need, approach, and expected outcomes.

Common Success Patterns

Organizations Funded Recently Include:

Mentoring and counseling programs for youth
Prevention, treatment, and recovery services for substance use
Programs supporting youth with disabilities
Mental health services with equity focus

Recent Community Experts Fund Awards: $200,000-$225,000 distributed annually through participatory grantmaking involving young people with lived experience reviewing and selecting grants.

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Based on foundation communications and grantee experiences:

Demonstrated commitment to equity - Not just serving diverse populations, but actively working to address systemic barriers
Youth-centered approaches - Programs designed with, not just for, young people
Organizational authenticity - Staff, board, and organizational culture that reflect commitment to diversity and inclusion
Willingness to experiment - The foundation supports organizations willing to try new approaches to persistent challenges
Strong relationships - Once you connect with a program officer, they become invested in your success

Use of Generative AI

The foundation explicitly encourages applicants to use generative AI tools to strengthen grant requests, though they note important caveats (specific guidance available through the foundation).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Pre-application consultation is essential - The foundation's program officers are remarkably accessible and invested in applicant success. Schedule a call before applying to ensure alignment and begin building the relationship.
Geographic and age restrictions are absolute - Only organizations serving young people (birth to 26) in Erie/Niagara Counties (NY) or Barnstable/Dukes/Essex/Nantucket Counties (MA) are eligible. Do not apply if outside these parameters.
Equity focus is central, not peripheral - The foundation has evolved significantly toward equity-centered grantmaking. Applications must demonstrate genuine commitment to serving marginalized communities and addressing systemic barriers.
The LOI stage is most competitive - Once past the initial Letter of Inquiry, program officers become true partners in developing strong applications. Don't be discouraged by initial rejection - the foundation encourages reapplication with feedback.
Lived experience matters deeply - Organizations that meaningfully involve young people and people with disabilities in leadership and decision-making align strongly with the foundation's values.
General operating support is increasingly available - The foundation has shifted toward providing more flexible funding, recognizing that unrestricted support helps organizations respond to community needs.
Be patient with timing - Current grant cycles are paused for emergency response, but the foundation maintains strong relationships with partners and returns to regular grantmaking. Stay connected and monitor their website for updates.

References

The Tower Foundation Official Website - https://thetowerfoundation.org/ (Accessed January 2026)
The Tower Foundation: What We Fund - https://thetowerfoundation.org/what-we-fund/ (Accessed January 2026)
The Tower Foundation: Grant Opportunities - https://thetowerfoundation.org/what-we-fund/grant-opportunities/ (Accessed January 2026)
The Tower Foundation: Staff & Trustees - https://thetowerfoundation.org/the-foundation/staff-trustees/ (Accessed January 2026)
The Tower Foundation: History & Founders - https://thetowerfoundation.org/the-foundation/history-founders/ (Accessed January 2026)
The Tower Foundation: Equity - https://thetowerfoundation.org/resources/equity/ (Accessed January 2026)
The Tower Foundation: Participatory Grantmaking - https://thetowerfoundation.org/resources/participatory-grantmaking/ (Accessed January 2026)
Short-Term General Operating Grants 2026 Guidelines - https://thetowerfoundation.org/app/uploads/2025/12/2026-STGO-Guidelines-FINAL.pdf (Accessed January 2026)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Peter & Elizabeth C Tower Foundation Tr - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/166350753 (Accessed January 2026)
Cause IQ: Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation Trust - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/peter-and-elizabeth-c-tower-foundation-trust,166350753/ (Accessed January 2026)
Inside Philanthropy: Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation - https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-t/peter-and-elizabeth-c-tower-foundation (Accessed January 2026)
GrantAdvisor Profile: Peter & Elizabeth C Tower Foundation Tr - https://grantadvisor.org/profile/16-6350753/peter-elizabeth-c-tower-foundation-tr (Accessed January 2026)
Instrumentl 990 Report: Peter & Elizabeth C Tower Foundation Tr - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/peter-elizabeth-c-tower-foundation-tr (Accessed January 2026)