The Howley Foundation UA 05192016

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $21.9 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 programmes

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 $21.9 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 organisations serving economically disadvantaged students from elementary through postsecondary levels. In 2024, the foundation distributed approximately $28.5 million across 68 grantees to schools mostly in Philadelphia and Cleveland, as well as select national networks. The foundation emphasises combining strong academics with character formation and implementing clear, verifiable effectiveness measures.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

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 to expand the Drexel University Howley College Scholars programme, providing full-ride scholarships for up to 10 promising graduates annually from seven Philadelphia high schools.

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

Workforce Development
Post-secondary workforce programmes 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 programme (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 programmes including the Howley Foundation Medical Certification Centre.

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 Programme at St. Joseph's Prep (supporting 60 students across four classes annually).

Priority Areas

• K-12 education for students of low socioeconomic standing
• Programmes 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
• Programmes emphasising 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) organisations
• 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 programmes

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
Emeritus Director of TransDigm Group, Inc. (NYSE: TDG), where he served as Executive Chairman from 2018 to 2021, President and/or Chief Executive Officer from 2003 to 2018. Co-founder 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 programmes. 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, Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary 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. Education: B.A. in psychology from Hobart and William Smith Colleges; M.S. in Psychology from Drexel University (2009); M.S. in School Psychology and Educational Specialist certification from Rowan University (2011).

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

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 organisation 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 organisation
• For high school scholarships, school coordinators recommend students and submit required information to the foundation
• Organisations 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 organisations suggests a competitive application process. In 2023, the foundation made 45 grants totalling $21.9 million.

Reapplication Policy

For Scholarship Programmes: Organisations 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 Organisational Grants: The foundation does not publicly disclose a specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. The rolling application process suggests organisations may resubmit inquiries, particularly if circumstances or programmes 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 programmes, 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 emphasises two basic principles: "combining strong academics with character formation." Programmes must go beyond test scores to nurture personal growth and moral development.

Long-term Partnership Potential
The foundation favours 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 programmes. 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 emphasises: "Supporting educational programmes that directly address issues of equality and upward mobility are the central focus of The Howley Foundation." Applications should articulate how the programme creates pathways to social and economic advancement.

Examples of Funded Programmes:

• Cleveland Clinic's ASPIRE Nurse Scholars Programme (respiratory therapy, surgical technology, sterile processing)
• Trinity High School's Medical Certification Centre
• St. Joseph's Prep Howley Scholars Programme (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.
• Emphasise dual focus: Programmes 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 favours sustained, deep relationships over one-time grants. Position your organisation 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

• The Howley Foundation official website: https://www.howleyfoundation.org/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
• The Howley Foundation Impact Report: https://impact.howleyfoundation.org/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
• The Howley Foundation FAQs: https://www.howleyfoundation.org/faqs/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
• The Howley Foundation Grants page: https://www.howleyfoundation.org/grants/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
• The Howley Foundation History: https://www.howleyfoundation.org/history/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
• The Howley Foundation Founders & Staff: https://www.howleyfoundation.org/founders-staff/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Howley Foundation UA 05192016 (EIN 61-6565954): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/616565954 (Accessed December 22, 2024)
• Charity Navigator Profile: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/616565954 (Accessed December 22, 2024)
• Cause IQ Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/howley-foundation,616565954/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
• "Meet founders Nick Howley and Lorie Howley," The Howley Foundation Impact: https://impact.howleyfoundation.org/foundation-message/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
• "$13 Million Gift to Cleveland Clinic from Howley Foundation Expands ASPIRE Program," Cleveland Clinic Newsroom, August 13, 2024: https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2024/08/13/cleveland-clinic-receives-13-million-gift-from-the-howley-foundation-to-expand-the-howley-aspire-pathways-program (Accessed December 22, 2024)
• "Trinity High School awarded $750,000 grant from The Howley Foundation for career certification programmes," Diocese of Cleveland: https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/news/2025/03/31/trinity-high-school-awarded-750000-grant-from-the-howley-foundation-for-career-certification-programs (Accessed December 22, 2024)
• "$15 Million Gift from Howley Foundation Expands Drexel Scholarship Program for Local Graduates," Drexel University News, March 2024: https://drexel.edu/news/archive/2024/March/Howley-Foundation-College-Scholars-gift (Accessed December 22, 2024)
• "The Howley Foundation, Case Western Reserve to increase opportunity for Cleveland, Philadelphia parochial school graduates," CWRU Newsroom: https://case.edu/news/howley-foundation-case-western-reserve-increase-opportunity-cleveland-philadelphia-parochial-school-graduates (Accessed December 22, 2024)
• "Malvern Preparatory School Receives $20 Million Gift - Largest in School's History," The Howley Foundation: https://www.howleyfoundation.org/news_articles/malvern-preparatory-school-receives-20-million-gift-largest-in-schools-history/ (Accessed 2025)
• "Gilmour Academy receives $28 million from Howley Foundation," Philanthropy News Digest: https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/gilmour-academy-receives-28-million-from-howley-foundation (Accessed 2025)
• "St. Joseph's Prep Receives Additional $12 Million Gift from the Howley Foundation," The Howley Foundation: https://www.howleyfoundation.org/news_articles/st-josephs-prep-receives-additional-12-million-gift-from-the-howley-foundation/ (Accessed 2025)