The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation makes a very small number of large, targeted gifts focused on institutional impact rather than many small awards. Recent grants show a clear interest in healthcare delivery (major support to Massachusetts General Hospital), place‑based/experiential K–12 education, and nonprofit leadership/organizational capacity building. Their giving appears program‑level and charitable, aimed at strengthening institutions that deliver services or build nonprofit effectiveness.
Highly concentrated: very few, large grants (including repeat funding to a single hospital) that prioritize institutional impact and capacity over broad, distributed funding.
The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower Foundation stands out for pairing large institutional grants with a narrow regional footprint in western New York and parts of Massachusetts. Recent support includes $805,588 to Massachusetts General Hospital in Charlestown and $750,526 to Power of Place Learning Communitites in Burlington, showing an interest in both healthcare institutions and place-based learning. The foundation also returns to the same organizations over time, including follow-on support for Massachusetts General Hospital and recurring gifts to the Institute for Nonprofit Practice. That pattern suggests a funder that favors sustained relationships over one-time awards. Its recent portfolio also points to nonprofit capacity building and service delivery. Grants have gone to organizations working in mental health, community care, and leadership development, alongside education-focused institutions serving young people. The foundation’s work appears program-level and charitable, with grants aimed at strengthening organizations, programs, and systems rather than funding individuals. With annual grants of $23,383,444 and a median grant size of $20,000, it operates at a scale that allows both major awards and a broad middle tier of support.
In healthcare, The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower Foundation backed Massachusetts General Hospital with $626,188 in 2025, following an earlier $805,588 grant in 2024. That repeated support signals an ongoing relationship with a major medical center. For nonprofit leadership and organizational capacity, the foundation gave $700,000 to the Institute for Nonprofit Practice in 2025 and $362,500 in 2024. It also supported Community Catalyst with $185,960 in 2025, after a $184,540 grant in 2023, another sign of multi-year engagement. In mental health and community care, grants went to Brookline Community Mental Health Center Inc for $333,334 in 2024 and $333,333 in 2025, as well as Harmonia Collaborative Care for $250,000 in 2025. The portfolio includes education-related work too, such as $750,526 to Power of Place Learning Communitites for place-based learning.
The foundation’s typical grant size clusters around a median of $20,000, with a lower quartile of $5,820 and an upper quartile of $44,566. The recent grants list shows a mix of larger institutional awards and repeated mid- to high-sized grants. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Massachusetts General Hospital, Institute for Nonprofit Practice, Brookline Community Mental Health Center Inc, Community Catalyst, and City of Gloucester Health Department. The foundation is classified as a Regular Funder and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Some of its active portfolios accept inquiries or use staged review processes, including rolling inquiries for Community Change Grants and a preliminary request step for Programs & Services Grants.
$11.6M
$123.3M
$18M
$15.8M
Most grants fall between $6K and $45K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$6K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$45K
About 47% of grants go to recipients in MA.
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Notable grantees: Massachusetts General Hospital, Power of Place Learning Communities, Institute for Nonprofit Practice
Giving is regional and concentrated in New York and Massachusetts. New York accounts for 47% of grants, and the recent grants list includes Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Cheektowaga, Derby, East Amherst, and Amherst. Massachusetts recipients also appear often, with Charlestown, Burlington, Dedham, Brookline, Boston, Northampton, Gloucester, Newburyport, Nantucket, and Amherst represented. All recorded recipient-country data is in the United States, with 582 grants there.
Recent grants show support for hospitals, community mental health centers, nonprofit leadership organizations, and education-related groups. Examples include Massachusetts General Hospital, Institute for Nonprofit Practice, Brookline Community Mental Health Center Inc, and Power of Place Learning Communitites.
The typical grant size is $20,000 at the median, with the 25th percentile at $5,820 and the 75th percentile at $44,566. The recent grants list also shows several awards above $100,000 and some in the hundreds of thousands.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Massachusetts General Hospital, Institute for Nonprofit Practice, Brookline Community Mental Health Center Inc, Community Catalyst, and City of Gloucester Health Department. That suggests recurring relationships rather than one-off awards only.
Its giving is regional, with 47% of grants going to recipients in New York. Recent grants also go frequently to Massachusetts organizations, especially in cities such as Charlestown, Boston, Burlington, and Brookline.
It uses a mix of portfolio-based grantmaking and staged review. Community Change Grants accept inquiries on a rolling basis, while Programs & Services Grants require a preliminary request before a full proposal invitation. The foundation is a Regular Funder and does not fund individuals.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER OF PLACE LEARNING COMMUNITITES | BURLINGTON, MA | $840,743 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| ELIOT COMMUNITY HUMAN SERVICES | LEXINGTON, MA | $395,311 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| BROOKLINE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER INC | BROOKLINE, MA | $333,333 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| COMMUNITY CATALYST | BOSTON, MA | $328,668 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NEW YORK FUNDERS ALLIANCE | SYRACUSE, NY | $263,317 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CENTER FOR PUBLIC REPRESENTATION | EASTHAMPTON, MA | $261,640 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| ESSEX COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | BEVERLY, MA | $248,250 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CENTER FOR LAW AND EDUCATION | BOSTON, MA | $219,815 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| PARENT NETWORK OF WESTERN NEW YORK INC | BUFFALO, NY | $211,437 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INNOVATORS INC | S CHATHAM, MA | $195,650 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CENTER FOR SELF ADVOCACY | BUFFALO, NY | $190,600 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| LEGAL ACTION CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $179,815 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR GREATER BUFFALO | BUFFALO, NY | $168,750 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NEW VENTURE FUND | BALTIMORE, MD | $165,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CAUSEWAVE COMMUNITY PARTNERS | ROCHESTER, NY | $164,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES OF WESTERN NEW YORK | BUFFALO, NY | $160,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| VALUE NETWORK | GETZVILLE, NY | $150,250 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| COMPEER WEST INC | BUFFALO, NY | $130,250 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| MARTHA'S VINEYARD NONPROFIT COLLABORATIVE | WEST TISBURY, MA | $130,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| BUFFALO FEDERATION OF NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS | BUFFALO, NY | $130,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CITY OF NEWBURYPORT | NEWBURYPORT, MA | $124,907 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| FAMILY SERVICES OF MERRIMACK VALLEY INC | LAWRENCE, MA | $120,250 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| JOHN ASHFORD LINK HOUSE INC | AMESBURY, MA | $120,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| GAY & LESBIAN YOUTH SERVICES OF WESTERN NEW YORK INC | BUFFALO, NY | $120,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| PARTNERSHIP FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD | BUFFALO, NY | $115,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| JERICHO ROAD COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER | BUFFALO, NY | $110,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| FRIENDS OF NORTHSHORE EDUCATION CONSORTIUM | BEVERLY, MA | $104,800 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH | NANTUCKET, MA | $100,250 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CARE MANAGEMENT COALITION OF WESTERN NEW YORK INC | BUFFALO, NY | $100,250 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| UTEC INC | LOWELL, MA | $100,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| THE CAPE COD FOUNDATION | SOUTH YARMOUTH, MA | $100,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| INSTITUTE FOR NONPROFIT PRACTICE | DEDHAM, MA | $100,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| BRIDGES FROM BORDERSINC | EAST AMHERST, NY | $92,750 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| TRANSFORMING CARE | BUFFALO, NY | $91,100 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| COTUIT CENTER FOR THE ARTS | COTUIT, MA | $89,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| DAEMEN UNIVERSITY | AMHERST, NY | $88,640 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR NANTUCKET | NANTUCKET, MA | $80,860 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| MASSACHUSETTS CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE | BOSTON, MA | $75,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| PLUMMER YOUTH PROMISE | SALEM, MA | $72,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CAPE ORGANIZATION FOR RIGHTS OF THE DISABLED | HYANNIS, MA | $72,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| PHILANTHROPY MASSACHUSETTS | BOSTON, MA | $72,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| RAW ART WORKS INC | LYNN, MA | $70,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| JEANNE GEIGER CRISIS CENTER | NEWBURYPORT, MA | $70,250 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| THE ISLAND AUTISM GROUP INC | WEST TISBURY, MA | $65,250 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| DUMAS RISE PROVIDERS INC | CHEEKTOWAGA, NY | $65,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| LEAP FOR EDUCATION INC | SALEM, MA | $62,750 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| THE SUMMIT CENTER | AMHERST, NY | $62,250 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| WALKER INC | NEEDHAM, MA | $62,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| THE HAVEN PROJECT | LYNN, MA | $61,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| SHARING KINDNESS INC | SOUTH HARWICH, MA | $60,250 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
POWER OF PLACE LEARNING COMMUNITITES
$840,743CHARITABLE
ELIOT COMMUNITY HUMAN SERVICES
$395,311CHARITABLE
BROOKLINE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER INC
$333,333CHARITABLE
COMMUNITY CATALYST
$328,668CHARITABLE
NEW YORK FUNDERS ALLIANCE
$263,317CHARITABLE
CENTER FOR PUBLIC REPRESENTATION
$261,640CHARITABLE
Current and upcoming funding from Peter and Elizabeth C Tower Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Applicants should align with the priorities identified in the annual Request for Proposals developed by the Community Experts Team and must fit the Foundation’s mission and geographic focus.
Deadline: Application Deadline: Friday, September 4, 2026; Decision Notification (Tentative): Wednesday, November 25, 2026
ESSEX COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$248,250CHARITABLE
CENTER FOR LAW AND EDUCATION
$219,815CHARITABLE
PARENT NETWORK OF WESTERN NEW YORK INC
$211,437CHARITABLE
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INNOVATORS INC
$195,650CHARITABLE
CENTER FOR SELF ADVOCACY
$190,600CHARITABLE
LEGAL ACTION CENTER
$179,815CHARITABLE
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR GREATER BUFFALO
$168,750CHARITABLE
NEW VENTURE FUND
$165,000CHARITABLE
CAUSEWAVE COMMUNITY PARTNERS
$164,000CHARITABLE
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES OF WESTERN NEW YORK
$160,000CHARITABLE
VALUE NETWORK
$150,250CHARITABLE
COMPEER WEST INC
$130,250CHARITABLE
MARTHA'S VINEYARD NONPROFIT COLLABORATIVE
$130,000CHARITABLE
BUFFALO FEDERATION OF NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS
$130,000CHARITABLE
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
$124,907CHARITABLE
FAMILY SERVICES OF MERRIMACK VALLEY INC
$120,250CHARITABLE
JOHN ASHFORD LINK HOUSE INC
$120,000CHARITABLE
GAY & LESBIAN YOUTH SERVICES OF WESTERN NEW YORK INC
$120,000CHARITABLE
PARTNERSHIP FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD
$115,000CHARITABLE
JERICHO ROAD COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
$110,000CHARITABLE
FRIENDS OF NORTHSHORE EDUCATION CONSORTIUM
$104,800CHARITABLE
COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
$100,250CHARITABLE
CARE MANAGEMENT COALITION OF WESTERN NEW YORK INC
$100,250CHARITABLE
UTEC INC
$100,000CHARITABLE
THE CAPE COD FOUNDATION
$100,000CHARITABLE
INSTITUTE FOR NONPROFIT PRACTICE
$100,000CHARITABLE
BRIDGES FROM BORDERSINC
$92,750CHARITABLE
TRANSFORMING CARE
$91,100CHARITABLE
COTUIT CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$89,000CHARITABLE
DAEMEN UNIVERSITY
$88,640CHARITABLE
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR NANTUCKET
$80,860CHARITABLE
MASSACHUSETTS CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE
$75,000CHARITABLE
PLUMMER YOUTH PROMISE
$72,500CHARITABLE
CAPE ORGANIZATION FOR RIGHTS OF THE DISABLED
$72,000CHARITABLE
PHILANTHROPY MASSACHUSETTS
$72,000CHARITABLE
RAW ART WORKS INC
$70,500CHARITABLE
JEANNE GEIGER CRISIS CENTER
$70,250CHARITABLE
THE ISLAND AUTISM GROUP INC
$65,250CHARITABLE
DUMAS RISE PROVIDERS INC
$65,000CHARITABLE
LEAP FOR EDUCATION INC
$62,750CHARITABLE
THE SUMMIT CENTER
$62,250CHARITABLE
WALKER INC
$62,000CHARITABLE
THE HAVEN PROJECT
$61,000CHARITABLE
SHARING KINDNESS INC
$60,250CHARITABLE
Who can apply: Organizations must serve the Foundation’s core populations and operate within its geographic focus areas. Requests must align with the Foundation’s mission and focus areas.
Deadline: 2026 spring deadline: February 13. 2026 fall deadline: September 25. Tentative decision notifications were March 27 and November 6, respectively.
Who can apply: Requests must align with the Foundation's mission, focus areas, and geographic focus. The Foundation invites conversations about possible Community Change requests.
Deadline: Rolling inquiries; specific 2026 deadline not stated.
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