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The Tower Foundation is a family foundation that helps children, adolescents, and young people affected by intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health issues, and/or substance use disorders. Our goal is to improve the lives of young people in our geographic footprint of Erie and Niagara Counties in Western New York, and Barnstable, Dukes, Essex, and Nantucket Counties in Eastern Massachusetts.

The Tower Foundation believes every young person should have the chance to achieve their personal goals, regardless of the challenges they face. Individuals who live with one or more of these issues may be overlooked or stigmatized, creating additional challenges. We also know that some young people face more challenges than others because of systemic inequalities. The convergence of our focus areas with racism, ableism, sexism, and other types of discrimination warrants the Foundation’s attention because as we know, people do not live single-issue lives.

The Tower Foundation sees its role as more than just a funder. These issues are near and dear to us because we have members of our family who live with one or more of the issues. These are individuals who are resilient—persevering despite the challenges they face— and who should be valued by our communities. The Tower Foundation envisions a future in which equitable communities include, accept and value these young people.


Our Mission

As grantmaker, partner, and advocate, the Tower Foundation strengthens organizations and works to change systems to improve the lives of young people with learning disabilities, mental illness, substance use disorders, and intellectual disabilities.

Our Vision

The Tower Foundation envisions equitable communities where all young people are included, accepted, and valued; and are confident in themselves.

Our Values

The Tower Foundation values:

  • Diverse Voices – We listen to and learn from those with different points of view and perspectives. We seek to be proximate with the communities we serve – continually engaging in respectful conversation and incorporating what we hear into our work.
  • Collaboration – We understand that in order to make progress, we must build relationships with our partners and share knowledge, resources, expertise, and strategies.
  • Innovation – We embrace change and are willing to take risks, recognizing the potential for transformative effect. We look for opportunities to try new and creative strategies and encourage others to do the same.
  • Perseverance – We recognize that change work can be slow and challenging. We are committed to the long-term improvement of organizations and communities.
  • Equity – We pay close attention to the convergence of our focus areas with systemic issues of racism, sexism, classism, ableism, and more, because living at the intersection of multiple identities is a reality that factors importantly into our grantmaking.