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Tower Family Fund Inc

Annual Giving
$8.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $1.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8,016,036 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: $500 - $1,071,106
  • Geographic Focus: New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut
  • Total Assets: $40,666,134

Contact Details

Address: 369 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202-1702

Phone: 716-856-3300

Note: As a private family foundation, direct contact should be made by phone to inquire about funding opportunities.

Overview

Tower Family Fund Inc. was established in 2006 as a private family foundation in Buffalo, New York. Founded by Peter and Elizabeth Tower, the foundation is now managed by their daughters, Mollie T. Byrnes and Cynthia T. Doyle, along with their husbands Robert Doyle and attorney director Randolph F. Treece. With assets exceeding $40 million, the foundation distributed approximately $8 million in grants in 2024 across 108 awards. The foundation maintains an active grantmaking program, having made between 108-148 grants annually in recent years. Peter Tower built his wealth through C.J. Tower & Sons, a customs brokerage house that grew 90 times its original size before being sold to McGraw-Hill in 1986.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Tower Family Fund operates as a private family foundation without formal grant programs or publicly announced funding cycles. Grants are made through trustee discretion across a wide range of charitable purposes.

Priority Areas

Based on available data, the foundation focuses on:

  • Education: Supporting educational institutions and programs
  • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking: Supporting other foundations and charitable infrastructure
  • Human Services: Supporting organizations providing direct services to communities
  • Housing and Community Development: Including major capital projects (evidenced by $2 million grant to Harborlight Homes for The Lighthouse Center)
  • Youth and Family Services: Including YMCA organizations
  • Community facilities and services: Child care, job training, adult education, financial counseling

The foundation has demonstrated capacity for both large transformational gifts (up to $1+ million) and smaller programmatic grants (as low as $500).

Geographic Focus

Grants are primarily made to organizations in:

  • New York (particularly Western New York/Buffalo region)
  • Massachusetts
  • Connecticut

What They Don't Fund

Information about specific funding exclusions is not publicly available.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

  • Mollie T. Byrnes (Secretary, Director): Daughter of founders Peter and Elizabeth Tower; serves without compensation
  • Cynthia T. Doyle (Treasurer, Director): Daughter of founders Peter and Elizabeth Tower; serves without compensation
  • Robert Doyle (Trustee): Husband of Cynthia Doyle
  • Randolph F. Treece (Attorney Director): Retired Federal Magistrate Judge (U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York, 2001-2015); currently Of Counsel at Hacker Murphy LLP; receives compensation of $77,218

Key Quote

Regarding the $2 million grant to Harborlight Homes, Mollie Byrnes stated: "I am happy to help a solid, wonderful organization put a roof over more citizens' heads." This quote reflects the foundation's interest in supporting established, effective organizations doing meaningful community work.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Tower Family Fund does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, grants are made at the discretion of the trustees. The foundation does not maintain a website, online portal, or published application guidelines.

Organizations interested in funding should contact the foundation directly at 716-856-3300 to inquire about potential funding opportunities. However, as a private family foundation, most grants appear to be made to organizations already known to the trustees or identified through their networks.

Getting on Their Radar

The Tower Family Fund appears to identify grantees through:

  • Family trustee networks and connections: The foundation is governed by family members who identify organizations aligned with their charitable interests
  • Geographic connections: Strong focus on Buffalo/Western New York area where the Tower family has deep roots
  • Relationship with The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation: The families share the same founders and overlapping trustees, suggesting potential coordination in identifying worthy organizations

Organizations working in Western New York, Massachusetts, or Connecticut in education, human services, or community development may consider reaching out by phone to introduce their work, though success likely depends on alignment with trustee interests and existing connections.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly available and likely vary based on grant size and trustee meeting schedules.

Success Rates

With approximately 108-148 grants made annually, the foundation maintains an active grantmaking program. However, specific application and success rate data are not publicly available as there is no formal application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the absence of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

While the Tower Family Fund does not have a public application process, the following insights may be helpful:

  • Established organizations with strong track records: Mollie Byrnes' quote about helping "a solid, wonderful organization" suggests preference for organizations with proven effectiveness
  • Geographic connection: Strong emphasis on Western New York (Buffalo area) where the family built their business and wealth
  • Alignment with family values: The foundation shares founders with The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation, which focuses on youth with intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health issues, and substance use disorders—these may be areas of interest
  • Community infrastructure and housing: The $2 million grant to Harborlight Homes demonstrates interest in transformational capital projects that serve vulnerable populations
  • Range of grant sizes: With grants ranging from $500 to over $1 million, the foundation supports both large capital needs and smaller programmatic expenses
  • Capacity for major gifts: The foundation has demonstrated ability to make seven-figure grants to organizations with compelling capital projects

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is a private family foundation without a public application process—relationship-building and direct contact are essential
  • The foundation makes substantial grants ($8+ million annually) with a wide range of grant sizes ($500-$1+ million)
  • Geographic focus on New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, with particular emphasis on Western New York/Buffalo region
  • Trustees serve as active stewards of their parents' legacy and appear to value established, effective organizations
  • The foundation maintains a robust grantmaking pace with 100+ grants annually, indicating active engagement rather than passive grantmaking
  • Contact by phone (716-856-3300) is the only available method to explore funding possibilities
  • Organizations should be prepared to articulate their track record, community impact, and alignment with education, human services, or community development priorities

References

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