Tower Family Fund Inc
Preselected recipients only
Tower Family Fund Inc is a private foundation in Buffalo, New York. In tax year 2025 it gave $9.1 million in 107 grants; the typical grant was $25,000 and the largest $2.0 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$9.1 million
- Number of grants107
- Typical grant$25,000
- Largest grant$2.0 million
- Assets$53.4 million
- New grantees28%
Giving in 2025 was up from $8.0 million the year before.
28% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $6.4 million | 138 | $59.5 million |
| 2024 | $8.0 million | 108 | $57.0 million |
| 2025 | $9.1 million | 107 | $53.4 million |
How to apply
Tower Family Fund Inc says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Tower Family Fund Inc funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 7 states, the most to Massachusetts.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 45 | $5.3 million |
| New York | 53 | $3.5 million |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $150,000 |
| California | 1 | $100,000 |
| Connecticut | 4 | $80,000 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $25,000 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $2,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo | The buffalo together fund | $2.0 million |
| Harborlight Community Partners DBA Harborlight Homes | General support | $1.0 million |
| Martha's Vineyard Hospital | Workforce housing grant | $1.0 million |
| Power of Place Learning Communities Inc | Learning community project grant | $647,895 |
| Buffalo Akg Art Museum | General support - installment 1 of 4 | $250,000 |
| Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra | General support - installment 1 of 4 | $250,000 |
| Burchfield-Penney Art Center | General support - installment 1 of 4 | $250,000 |
| Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute | General support | $200,000 |
| YMCA of Martha's Vineyard | General support | $200,000 |
| Penikese Island School | General support & girls' science and nature summer camp | $150,000 |
| Walnut Hill School of the Arts | General support, scholarships | $125,000 |
| Dana-Farber Cancer Institute | Byrnes family fund for older adult research | $110,000 |
| Conservation Law Foundation | General support | $100,000 |
| Essex County Community Foundation | General support | $100,000 |
| Georgetown University | The thrive center for children, families and communities | $100,000 |
| Healthy Aging MV | General support | $100,000 |
| Island Grown Initiative | Endowment fund | $100,000 |
| Luminary Impact Fund | General support | $100,000 |
| Massachusetts General Hospital | Arms recovery coach program & recovery research institute | $100,000 |
| New Profit Inc | General support | $100,000 |
| Pathways for Children | General support | $100,000 |
| The Open Door | General support | $100,000 |
| YMCA of the North Shore Inc | General support, scholarships | $100,000 |
| Wellspring House Inc | General support | $85,000 |
| Schooner Adventure | General support | $80,000 |
| Choate Rosemary Hall | General support | $75,000 |
| Rockport Music Inc | General support | $75,000 |
| Martha's Vineyard Community Foundation | General support & the sam feldman fund | $65,000 |
| Stillpoint Martha's Vineyard Inc | General support | $55,000 |
| Circuit Arts | General support | $50,000 |
| Earth Conservation Corps | General support | $50,000 |
| Niagara Lutheran Health Foundation | Leadership council campaign | $50,000 |
| Northshore Education Consortium | General support | $50,000 |
| Opportunities Collaborative for Students With Special Needs Inc | General support | $50,000 |
| Raw Art Works Inc | General support | $50,000 |
| Sawyer Library Foundation | General support | $50,000 |
| The Field Fund | General support | $50,000 |
| Cape Ann Museum | General support | $40,000 |
| Island Grown Initiative | General support | $40,000 |
| Beth Israel Lahey Hospital Corp | Greatest needs fund for beverly hospital & addison gilbert society fund | $35,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Mollie T Byrnes
- Cynthia T Doyle
- Randolph F Treece
Questions people ask
Does Tower Family Fund Inc accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Tower Family Fund Inc give?
$9.1 million in tax year 2025, across 107 grants, with a typical grant of $25,000.
Who runs Tower Family Fund Inc?
Its 2025 filing lists Mollie T Byrnes (Secretary, Director), Cynthia T Doyle (Treasurer, Director) and Randolph F Treece (Atty Director).
What does Tower Family Fund Inc fund?
Based on its grants, mainly community development, health and education.