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The Howley Foundation UA 05192016

Annual Giving
$22.5M
Grant Range
$8K - $2.9M

The Howley Foundation UA 05192016

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $22.5 million (2023)
  • Total Assets: $99.6 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Rolling basis, no fixed timeline
  • Grant Range: $8,000 - $2,900,000 (45 grants made in 2023, median $124,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Cleveland, OH and Philadelphia, PA (primarily); occasional national programs

Contact Details

Website: https://www.howleyfoundation.org
Email: Contact through online form at https://www.howleyfoundation.org/contact/
Phone: Not publicly listed
Address: Cleveland, OH

Overview

The Howley Foundation was established in 2003 by Nick and Lorie Howley with a mission to create social and economic mobility through quality educational opportunities. With total assets of $99.6 million and annual giving of $22.5 million (2023), the foundation has grown from a single scholarship at a local Cleveland Catholic high school to supporting over 1,200 scholarship students annually. The foundation focuses exclusively on supporting 501(c)(3) educational organizations serving economically disadvantaged students from elementary through postsecondary levels. In 2024, the foundation distributed approximately $30 million annually to schools mostly in Philadelphia and Cleveland, as well as select national networks. The foundation emphasizes combining strong academics with character formation and implementing clear, verifiable effectiveness measures.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

High School Scholarships
The foundation provides tuition assistance to economically disadvantaged students attending partner high schools in Cleveland and Philadelphia. School coordinators recommend students, and foundation representatives review and select recipients. Students receive continued funding through graduation if scholarship requirements are maintained.

College & University Scholarships
Limited funding for college scholarships, primarily for graduates of partner high schools. The foundation has committed up to $15 million over 14 years for college scholarships for up to 10 promising graduates from seven Philadelphia high schools annually, and expanded the Drexel University Howley College Scholars program with a $15 million gift.

Elementary Education Support
Support for elementary schools serving economically disadvantaged students, preparing them for academic success through programs emphasizing academic excellence and character education.

Workforce Development
Post-secondary workforce programs through strategic grants that include student scholarships and wraparound support services. Examples include the $13 million gift to Cleveland Clinic for the Howley ASPIRE Pathways program (expanding training for 380 students in respiratory therapy, surgical technology, and sterile processing through 2036).

Capital Grants
Select capital support for developing and improving physical spaces at partner schools, typically for expanding proven, high-quality educational seats for disadvantaged students. Example: $750,000 grant to Trinity High School for career certification programs including the Howley Foundation Medical Certification Center.

Strategic/Transformational Grants
Major multi-year commitments to partner institutions, including a $28 million grant to Gilmour Academy, $20 million to Malvern Prep, and $12 million to expand the Howley Scholars Program at St. Joseph's Prep (supporting 60 students across four classes annually).

Priority Areas

  • K-12 education for students of low socioeconomic standing
  • Programs combining academic excellence with character education
  • Schools in Cleveland, Ohio and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Post-secondary workforce development with verifiable outcomes
  • Proven educational models with demonstrated effectiveness
  • Programs emphasizing upward social and economic mobility
  • Schools with clear, measurable effectiveness metrics

What They Don't Fund

  • Individual grants - Foundation only makes grants to 501(c)(3) organizations
  • Event sponsorships or benefits
  • Capital projects - Except in rare cases for expanding proven, high-quality educational seats for disadvantaged students through established grantees
  • Geographic areas outside Cleveland and Philadelphia - Though occasionally funds national-impact projects with proven effectiveness
  • College/university scholarships - Receive limited funding priority compared to K-12 programs

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors: Nick Howley (Founder, Chairman & Trustee), Lorie Howley (Founder & Trustee), Mike Howley, Meg Howley, Kendra Howley, Beth Krieger, Paul Krieger, Dominic Perry, and Andy Howley.

Key Leadership:

Nick Howley — Founder, Chairman & Trustee
Founder and Chairman of TransDigm Group, Inc. (NYSE: TDG) and Chairman of Perimeter Solutions (NYSE: PRM). Past national Chairman of the Cristo Rey Network Board. Education: B.S. in mechanical engineering from Drexel University; MBA from Harvard Business School.

Leadership Quotes:

  • "We think the best path to upward social and economic mobility is a quality education."
  • "We can't guarantee you an outcome, but we sure as heck want to give everybody as fair an at-bat as we can."
  • "We look at our philanthropy as a lot like investing... you have to show a good yield."

Lorie Howley — Founder & Trustee
Became Executive Director in 2001 and Board President in 2014. Led expansion from initial high school scholarships to elementary, high school, and college programs. Background: 15 years in the Education Department at Longwood Gardens. Education: B.S. in Ornamental Horticulture and M.A. in Communication Arts from Cornell University.

Leadership Quote:

  • "We started with one student, and as we were able to start giving out more and more scholarships, we advanced our level of sophistication."

Halle Martin — President & Chief Operating Officer
Former General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at TransDigm Group. Previously partner at Baker & Hostetler law firm. Education: University of Michigan and Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

Meg Howley — Executive Director - Philadelphia
Established the foundation's Philadelphia presence since 2013. Background in school psychology and early intervention services.

Allison Busser — Director - Cleveland
Joined March 2024; transitioned to Director role January 2025. Prior experience at Medwish International and Saint Joseph Academy.

Staff Compensation: Executive directors earn $145,000 annually (2023 data).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Initial Inquiry
Applicants must submit an inquiry through the foundation's online contact form at https://www.howleyfoundation.org/contact/. Each inquiry is reviewed upon submission to determine whether the organization aligns with the foundation's funding priorities.

Step 2: Full Application (If Invited)
Qualified inquiries may be invited to advance to a full application. The foundation evaluates applications on a rolling basis with no fixed deadlines.

Important Notes:

  • Students and families cannot apply directly; they must apply through their school or organization
  • For high school scholarships, school coordinators recommend students and submit required information to the foundation
  • Organizations must reapply for each incoming class of scholarship students

Decision Timeline

Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis with no fixed deadlines. The foundation reviews "each application upon submittal" (FAQ). Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed and likely vary based on grant size and complexity.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation's highly selective approach and focus on deep, long-term partnerships with proven organizations suggests a competitive application process. In 2023, the foundation made 45 grants totaling $22.5 million.

Reapplication Policy

For Scholarship Programs: Organizations must reapply for each incoming class. Once students are accepted, they continue to receive funding through graduation if scholarship requirements are maintained. Students who drop out generally cannot be replaced within the same cohort.

For Organizational Grants: The foundation does not publicly disclose a specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. The rolling application process suggests organizations may resubmit inquiries, particularly if circumstances or programs have evolved.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Geographic Focus
The foundation has an explicit preference for Cleveland and Philadelphia. As stated in their FAQs: "We have a strong preference for schools in Cleveland and Philadelphia." While they occasionally fund national programs, applicants outside these regions should demonstrate exceptional impact and proven effectiveness.

Demonstrated Track Record
The foundation invests in proven models. Nick Howley states: "We look at our philanthropy as a lot like investing... you have to show a good yield." Applications should include clear, verifiable effectiveness measures and demonstrate successful outcomes with economically disadvantaged students.

Focus on Academic Excellence + Character Formation
The foundation emphasizes two basic principles: "combining strong academics with character formation." Programs must go beyond test scores to nurture personal growth and moral development.

Long-term Partnership Potential
The foundation favors deep, sustained partnerships over one-time grants. Recent examples include the $28 million grant to Gilmour Academy, $20 million to Malvern Prep, and multi-year scholarship programs. Demonstrate capacity for long-term collaboration.

Serving Students of Low Socioeconomic Standing
This is central to the mission. The foundation's grantmaking goal is explicitly "to create educational opportunities for students of low socioeconomic standing" across elementary, high school, and postsecondary levels.

Clear Connection to Economic Mobility
Nick Howley emphasizes: "Supporting educational programs that directly address issues of equality and upward mobility are the central focus of The Howley Foundation." Applications should articulate how the program creates pathways to social and economic advancement.

Examples of Funded Programs:

  • Cleveland Clinic's ASPIRE Nurse Scholars Program (respiratory therapy, surgical technology, sterile processing)
  • Trinity High School's Medical Certification Center
  • St. Joseph's Prep Howley Scholars Program (60 students annually)
  • Cristo Rey Network schools
  • Multiple Catholic high schools in Cleveland and Philadelphia

Capital Grants Are Rare
The foundation explicitly states capital projects are rarely funded, with exceptions only for "expanding proven, high-quality educational seats for disadvantaged students through established grantees." New applicants should focus on programmatic support rather than building projects.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic targeting is critical: Strong preference for Cleveland and Philadelphia. Outside applicants must demonstrate exceptional, proven national impact.
  • Demonstrate measurable outcomes: The foundation views philanthropy "as a lot like investing" and expects clear ROI through verifiable student success metrics.
  • Emphasize dual focus: Programs must combine academic excellence with character education and personal growth—test scores alone are insufficient.
  • Build relationships before major asks: The foundation makes large, multi-year commitments to partners it knows well. Start with an initial inquiry and demonstrate value over time.
  • Prove you serve economic need: Central mission is creating opportunities for students "of low socioeconomic standing"—clearly document the economic circumstances of students served.
  • Think long-term partnerships: The foundation favors sustained, deep relationships over one-time grants. Position your organization as a potential long-term partner.
  • Start with an inquiry, not a full proposal: The two-step process (inquiry form first, then invitation to full application) means your initial contact should be concise, compelling, and clearly aligned with stated priorities.

References

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