Tower Family Fund makes a small number of very large, targeted grants—primarily in Massachusetts and the Cape/Islands region—focused on capital projects, housing, community wellbeing and health. Their gifts support both institutional building projects (museums, hospital, learning centers) and mission-driven housing and care (senior/workforce housing, clinical research), with several island-specific awards that suggest a geographic affinity for Martha’s Vineyard and nearby coastal communities.
Tower Family Fund Inc gave a $1.071 million special grant to Stillpoint Martha's Vineyard Inc in 2024, a useful marker of how it concentrates large gifts on island and coastal institutions. Across the recent grants list, the funder supports workforce and senior housing, health and clinical research, and capital projects for museums, learning centers, and community organizations. Its grantmaking also reaches food security and recovery-related work, with named support for island nonprofits and regional service providers. The foundation’s recent largest awards include $1 million grants to Martha's Vineyard Hospital for workforce housing, Navigator Homes for senior housing, Harborlight Homes for housing, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for the Byrnes Family Clinical Research Fund. That mix shows a pattern of large, targeted awards that combine housing infrastructure with health-related institutional support. It also funds place-based cultural and civic organizations in Massachusetts and New York, suggesting a portfolio built around specific community assets rather than broad, open-ended giving. The structure of the giving is consistent with targeted project support, special grants, and campaign-related awards rather than a long list of small disbursements.
Housing is a clear priority. Tower Family Fund Inc gave $1 million to Martha's Vineyard Hospital in 2025 for a workforce housing grant, and another $1 million to Navigator Homes in Vineyard Haven for senior housing. It also awarded $1 million to Harborlight Homes for a housing grant, reinforcing support for both workforce and older-adult housing. The foundation also backs health and research institutions. In 2023, it gave $1 million to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for the Byrnes Family Clinical Research Fund, and it later provided $250,000 and $100,000 to Roswell Park Alliance Foundation for the Release the Breakthroughs Campaign and the immune monitoring program. Community life and learning appear in the portfolio as well. Power of Place Learning Communities Inc received $811,036 in 2025 for the Learning Community Project Grant, while Cape Ann Museum received $900,000 in 2024 for education center improvements.
Tower Family Fund Inc gives in relatively large increments: the typical grant size sits at $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile, while the recent list also includes many seven-figure awards. The pattern includes repeated support for the same organizations across multiple years, such as Burchfield-Penney Art Center, YMCA of the North Shore Inc, Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, and Power of Place Learning Communities Inc. It is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it funds individuals. The grant list shows a mix of special grants, challenge grants, general support, and project-specific awards.
$9.1M
$36.5M
$5.5M
$9.7M
Most grants fall between $5K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Concentrated giving: few (single‑digit) grants but very large dollar amounts, mostly one‑off or special/capital grants rather than many small operational grants; geographically focused in Massachusetts/Cape & Islands; supports both capital campaigns and programmatic infrastructure across health, housing and community institutions.
Notable grantees: Stillpoint Martha’s Vineyard, Inc., Dana‑Farber Cancer Institute, YMCA of the North Shore, Inc., Navigator Homes, Martha’s Vineyard Hospital
Giving is heavily regional and most often lands in New York, which accounts for 52% of grants to recipients in the state. Even so, many of the largest recent awards go to Massachusetts communities, especially Martha's Vineyard, Gloucester, Beverly, Vineyard Haven, and Burlington. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 394 grants in the United States. Recent named recipients also include Buffalo, NY organizations such as Roswell Park Alliance Foundation and the Burchfield-Penney Art Center.
The recent grants list points to housing providers, hospitals and research institutions, museums, learning organizations, and community groups. Examples include Martha's Vineyard Hospital for workforce housing, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for clinical research, Cape Ann Museum for education center improvements, and Island Grown Initiative for general support and a food pantry.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Burchfield-Penney Art Center in 2023, 2024, and 2025; YMCA of the North Shore Inc in 2023 and 2024; Roswell Park Alliance Foundation in 2023 and 2024; and Power of Place Learning Communities Inc in 2024 and 2025.
The typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent awards also include much larger project and campaign grants, including multiple $1 million gifts.
New York is the top state by grant count, and 52% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent New York recipients include Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Burchfield-Penney Art Center, Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, and Artpark & Company.
Yes. The funder is classified as funding individuals, in addition to grants to organizations. The recent grants list primarily shows organizational recipients, but the funder’s classification indicates it also supports individuals.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR GREATER BUFFALO | BUFFALO, NY | $2,000,000 | 2026 | THE BUFFALO TOGETHER FUND |
| HARBORLIGHT COMMUNITY PARTNERS DBA HARBORLIGHT HOMES | BEVERLY, MA | $1,000,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MARTHA'S VINEYARD HOSPITAL | OAK BLUFFS, MA | $1,000,000 | 2026 | WORKFORCE HOUSING GRANT |
| POWER OF PLACE LEARNING COMMUNITIES INC | BURLINGTON, MA | $647,895 | 2026 | LEARNING COMMUNITY PROJECT GRANT |
| BUFFALO AKG ART MUSEUM | BUFFALO, NY | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT - INSTALLMENT 1 OF 4 |
| BUFFALO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA | BUFFALO, NY | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT - INSTALLMENT 1 OF 4 |
| BURCHFIELD-PENNEY ART CENTER | BUFFALO, NY | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT - INSTALLMENT 1 OF 4 |
| GLOUCESTER MARINE GENOMICS INSTITUTE | GLOUCESTER, MA | $200,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YMCA OF MARTHA'S VINEYARD | VINEYARD HAVEN, MA | $200,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PENIKESE ISLAND SCHOOL | WOODS HOLE, MA | $150,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT & GIRLS' SCIENCE AND NATURE SUMMER CAMP |
| WALNUT HILL SCHOOL OF THE ARTS | NATICK, MA | $125,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT, SCHOLARSHIPS |
| DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE | BROOKLINE, MA | $110,000 | 2026 | BYRNES FAMILY FUND FOR OLDER ADULT RESEARCH |
| CONSERVATION LAW FOUNDATION | BOSTON, MA | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LUMINARY IMPACT FUND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2026 | THE THRIVE CENTER FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES |
| PATHWAYS FOR CHILDREN | GLOUCESTER, MA | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ISLAND GROWN INITIATIVE | VINEYARD HAVEN, MA | $100,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| NEW PROFIT INC | BOSTON, MA | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL | BOSTON, MA | $100,000 | 2026 | ARMS RECOVERY COACH PROGRAM & RECOVERY RESEARCH INSTITUTE |
| YMCA OF THE NORTH SHORE INC | BEVERLY, MA | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT, SCHOLARSHIPS |
| ESSEX COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | BEVERLY, MA | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE OPEN DOOR | GLOUCESTER, MA | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HEALTHY AGING MV | EDGARTOWN, MA | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WELLSPRING HOUSE INC | GLOUCESTER, MA | $85,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SCHOONER ADVENTURE | GLOUCESTER, MA | $80,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ROCKPORT MUSIC INC | ROCKPORT, MA | $75,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHOATE ROSEMARY HALL | WALLINGFORD, CT | $75,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MARTHA'S VINEYARD COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | WEST TISBURY, MA | $65,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT & THE SAM FELDMAN FUND |
| STILLPOINT MARTHA'S VINEYARD INC | CHILMARK, MA | $55,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EARTH CONSERVATION CORPS | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NIAGARA LUTHERAN HEALTH FOUNDATION | LANCASTER, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | LEADERSHIP COUNCIL CAMPAIGN |
| THE FIELD FUND | CHILMARK, MA | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OPPORTUNITIES COLLABORATIVE FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS INC | TONAWANDA, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NORTHSHORE EDUCATION CONSORTIUM | BEVERLY, MA | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CIRCUIT ARTS | WEST TISBURY, MA | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RAW ART WORKS INC | LYNN, MA | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAWYER LIBRARY FOUNDATION | GLOUCESTER, MA | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ISLAND GROWN INITIATIVE | VINEYARD HAVEN, MA | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CAPE ANN MUSEUM | GLOUCESTER, MA | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CAPE ANN ART HAVEN INC | GLOUCESTER, MA | $35,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BETH ISRAEL LAHEY HOSPITAL CORP | BEVERLY, MA | $35,000 | 2026 | GREATEST NEEDS FUND FOR BEVERLY HOSPITAL & ADDISON GILBERT SOCIETY FUND |
| LEAP FOR EDUCATION INC | SALEM, MA | $35,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PINNACLE COMMUNITY SERVICES | NIAGARA FALLS, NY | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FIFTH AVENUE AME ZION CHURCH | TROY, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CAPE ANN MUSEUM | GLOUCESTER, MA | $25,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR MUSEUM IMPROVEMENTS |
| LASINBURGH BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB | TROY, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MEALS ON WHEELS OF NIAGARA FALLS | NIAGARA FALLS, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VINEYARD HOUSE | VINEYARD HAVEN, MA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CAPITAL REGION BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB | ALBANY, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PALACE THEATER | MANCHESTER, NH | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
HARBORLIGHT COMMUNITY PARTNERS DBA HARBORLIGHT HOMES
$1,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MARTHA'S VINEYARD HOSPITAL
$1,000,000WORKFORCE HOUSING GRANT
POWER OF PLACE LEARNING COMMUNITIES INC
$647,895LEARNING COMMUNITY PROJECT GRANT
BUFFALO AKG ART MUSEUM
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT - INSTALLMENT 1 OF 4
BUFFALO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT - INSTALLMENT 1 OF 4
PENIKESE ISLAND SCHOOL
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT & GIRLS' SCIENCE AND NATURE SUMMER CAMP
WALNUT HILL SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
$125,000GENERAL SUPPORT, SCHOLARSHIPS
LUMINARY IMPACT FUND
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE THRIVE CENTER FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
PATHWAYS FOR CHILDREN
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NEW PROFIT INC
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
$100,000ARMS RECOVERY COACH PROGRAM & RECOVERY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
THE OPEN DOOR
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HEALTHY AGING MV
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WELLSPRING HOUSE INC
$85,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SCHOONER ADVENTURE
$80,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ROCKPORT MUSIC INC
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHOATE ROSEMARY HALL
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GENERAL SUPPORT & THE SAM FELDMAN FUND
EARTH CONSERVATION CORPS
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NIAGARA LUTHERAN HEALTH FOUNDATION
$50,000LEADERSHIP COUNCIL CAMPAIGN
THE FIELD FUND
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
OPPORTUNITIES COLLABORATIVE FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS INC
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NORTHSHORE EDUCATION CONSORTIUM
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CIRCUIT ARTS
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SAWYER LIBRARY FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CAPE ANN ART HAVEN INC
$35,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BETH ISRAEL LAHEY HOSPITAL CORP
$35,000GREATEST NEEDS FUND FOR BEVERLY HOSPITAL & ADDISON GILBERT SOCIETY FUND
PINNACLE COMMUNITY SERVICES
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FIFTH AVENUE AME ZION CHURCH
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LASINBURGH BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MEALS ON WHEELS OF NIAGARA FALLS
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
VINEYARD HOUSE
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CAPITAL REGION BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PALACE THEATER
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT