The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower Foundation
Accepts applications
The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower Foundation is a private foundation in Getzville, New York. In tax year 2025 it gave $11.6 million in 208 grants; the typical grant was $34,166 and the largest $840,743. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$11.6 million
- Number of grants208
- Typical grant$34,166
- Largest grant$840,743
- Assets$154 million
- New grantees43%
Giving in 2025 was up from $9.3 million the year before.
43% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $7.7 million | 182 | $150 million |
| 2024 | $9.3 million | 218 | $152 million |
| 2025 | $11.6 million | 208 | $154 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Tracy A Sawicki 2351 North Forest Road Suite 106, Getzville, NY 14068-1225 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (716) 689-0370 |
| What to submit | Submit letter of inquiry regarding program/project that qualifies, per grant guidelines on website. If proposal is selected for consideration, a full grant application must be completed. Grant applications are by request only and must be submitted directly to the foundation. The foundation accepts applications over its website. |
| Deadlines | Applications due 1/17/25, 2/7/25, 5/30/25, 7/25/25 and 9/26/25. |
| Restrictions | Four distinct funding categories: learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, mental health challenges and substance use disorder. Each category has its own objective, target population, and funding priorities. Awards may not be used for the private benefit of any grant recipient, attempt to influence legislation, or attempt to influence or intervene in any political campaign. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 10 states, the most to Massachusetts.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 102 | $6.4 million |
| New York | 93 | $4.9 million |
| Maryland | 2 | $175,000 |
| Maine | 5 | $60,000 |
| Georgia | 1 | $50,000 |
| California | 1 | $5,000 |
| Connecticut | 1 | $5,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $5,000 |
| Alabama | 1 | $4,750 |
| New Jersey | 1 | $1,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Power of Place Learning Communitites | Charitable | $840,743 |
| Eliot Community Human Services | Charitable | $395,311 |
| Brookline Community Mental Health Center Inc | Charitable | $333,333 |
| Community Catalyst | Charitable | $328,668 |
| New York Funders Alliance | Charitable | $263,317 |
| Center for Public Representation | Charitable | $261,640 |
| Essex County Community Foundation | Charitable | $248,250 |
| Center for Law and Education | Charitable | $219,815 |
| Parent Network of Western New York Inc | Charitable | $211,437 |
| Behavioral Health Innovators Inc | Charitable | $195,650 |
| Center for Self Advocacy | Charitable | $190,600 |
| Legal Action Center | Charitable | $179,815 |
| Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo | Charitable | $168,750 |
| New Venture Fund | Charitable | $165,000 |
| Causewave Community Partners | Charitable | $164,000 |
| Jewish Family Services of Western New York | Charitable | $160,000 |
| Value Network | Charitable | $150,250 |
| Compeer West Inc | Charitable | $130,250 |
| Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers | Charitable | $130,000 |
| Martha's Vineyard Nonprofit Collaborative | Charitable | $130,000 |
| City of Newburyport | Charitable | $124,907 |
| Family Services of Merrimack Valley Inc | Charitable | $120,250 |
| Gay & Lesbian Youth Services of Western New York Inc | Charitable | $120,000 |
| John Ashford Link House Inc | Charitable | $120,000 |
| Partnership for the Public Good | Charitable | $115,000 |
| Jericho Road Community Health Center | Charitable | $110,000 |
| Friends of Northshore Education Consortium | Charitable | $104,800 |
| Care Management Coalition of Western New York Inc | Charitable | $100,250 |
| Community Solutions for Behavioral Health | Charitable | $100,250 |
| Institute for Nonprofit Practice | Charitable | $100,000 |
| The Cape Cod Foundation | Charitable | $100,000 |
| Utec Inc | Charitable | $100,000 |
| Bridges From Bordersinc | Charitable | $92,750 |
| Transforming Care | Charitable | $91,100 |
| Cotuit Center for the Arts | Charitable | $89,000 |
| Daemen University | Charitable | $88,640 |
| Community Foundation for Nantucket | Charitable | $80,860 |
| Massachusetts Children's Alliance | Charitable | $75,000 |
| Plummer Youth Promise | Charitable | $72,500 |
| Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled | Charitable | $72,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Mollie Tower Byrnes
- Cynthia T Doyle
- Robert M Doyle
- Tracy Sawicki
- Donna Owens
- David M Welbourn
- James H Weiss
- Peter T Byrnes
- Mollie M Doyle
- Randolph Treece
- Marie Cannon
- Allen Booker
- Jacqueline Hall
- Marguerite Francis
- Thomas Quinn
Questions people ask
Does The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Applications due 1/17/25, 2/7/25, 5/30/25, 7/25/25 and 9/26/25..
How much does The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower Foundation give?
$11.6 million in tax year 2025, across 208 grants, with a typical grant of $34,166.
Who runs The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Mollie Tower Byrnes (Trustee), Cynthia T Doyle (Trustee), Robert M Doyle (Trustee) and Tracy Sawicki (Executive Director) among 15 officers and trustees.
What does The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, health and human services.