The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower
The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation is a private foundation based in Getzville, New York. It supports organizations and systems working to improve the lives of children, adolescents, and young adults affected by intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health issues, or substance use disorders in specified counties of Western New York and Eastern Massachusetts.
The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower at a glance
In short: The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower gave $11.6M across 208 grants in 2025 (avg $56K), mostly in Massachusetts. 26% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $11,621,906
- +25.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 208
- -4.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $55,875
- +31.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $34,167
- Total assets
- $123,303,402
- +1.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (55 of 208, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (55% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower
- How to Apply
-
Submit a letter of inquiry describing a program or project that fits the grant guidelines. A full application is required if the inquiry is selected for consideration. The Foundation’s application page says Community Change inquiries are accepted on a rolling basis and asks prospective applicants to speak with a Program Officer. It also states that Strengthening Partner Capacity applications will not be accepted in 2026 and that short-term general operating grants are being offered as a continuation of the prior year’s Federal Crisis Response grants.
- Review Cycle
- The deadlines listed on the 2025 filing—January 17, February 7, May 30, July 25, and September 26, 2025—are past. The Programs & Services timeline published for 2026 listed a preliminary request deadline of March 27, 2026, also past.
- Deadline
- The deadlines listed on the 2025 filing—January 17, February 7, May 30, July 25, and September 26, 2025—are past.
- Contact
Application contact: Tracy A Sawicki
Mailing address: 2351 North Forest Road Suite 106, Getzville, NY 14068-1225
Phone: (716) 689-0370
Website: https://thetowerfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower
Community Change Grants
The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Community Experts Fund Grant
The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower
Amount
Up to US $50,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Strengthening Partner Capacity Grant
The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Power of Place Learning Communitites ($841K). Together the top 10 received $3.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,008 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 740 grants of 1,008 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation identifies its service area as Erie and Niagara Counties in New York, and Barnstable, Dukes, Essex, and Nantucket Counties in Massachusetts. In filing year 2025, reported grant dollars went primarily to Massachusetts recipients (55%) and New York recipients (42%); smaller shares went to Maryland (2%), Maine (1%), and Georgia (0%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 208 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 55 of 208 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $36K; repeat grants $63K. How we count
Medians: $21K first-time, $41K repeat.
- 58% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 80% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 205% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $6.3M (2020) to $11.6M (2025). In 2025 it made 208 grants totaling $11.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Power of Place Learning Communitites Burlington, MA | Charitable | $840,743 |
| Eliot Community Human Services Lexington, MA | Charitable | $395,311 |
| Brookline Community Mental Health Center Inc Brookline, MA | Charitable | $333,333 |
| Community Catalyst Boston, MA | Charitable | $328,668 |
| New York Funders Alliance Syracuse, NY | Charitable | $263,317 |
| Center for Public Representation Easthampton, MA | Charitable | $261,640 |
| Essex County Community Foundation Beverly, MA | Charitable | $248,250 |
| Center for Law and Education Boston, MA | Charitable | $219,815 |
| Parent Network of Western New York Inc Buffalo, NY | Charitable | $211,437 |
| Behavioral Health Innovators Inc S Chatham, MA | Charitable | $195,650 |
Ready to take the next step with The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $123,303,402 | $18,015,228 | $15,768,528 | $11,621,906 | 208 | $15,178,867 | $17,582,275 | $7,416,566 |
| 2024 | $121,073,266 | $10,200,664 | $12,295,236 | $9,255,412 | 218 | $11,719,049 | $9,698,688 | $7,475,552 |
| 2023 | $123,162,764 | $7,431,107 | $11,513,849 | $7,675,243 | 182 | $10,928,124 | $7,298,714 | $7,050,283 |
| 2022 | $127,248,071 | $18,985,372 | $10,949,935 | $6,452,789 | 182 | $10,060,762 | $19,025,351 | $7,158,365 |
| 2021 | $119,206,990 | $15,308,065 | $11,044,353 | $7,102,190 | 218 | $9,941,355 | $14,257,365 | $8,136,172 |
| 2020 | $115,091,305 | $3,583,165 | $9,667,070 | $6,314,990 | 180 | — | $2,832,020 | $6,954,192 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower reported a distributable amount of $7.4M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated purpose is to strengthen organizations and work to change systems to improve the lives of young people in its geographic footprint. Its four focus areas are intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health, and substance use disorders.
Its website describes three grant portfolios: Programs & Services grants for programs addressing these focus areas; Strengthening Partner Capacity grants for organizational development and related needs; and Community Change grants for collaborative work involving diverse stakeholders. The Foundation’s 2025 Programs & Services guidelines required applicants to be providing services in its designated counties and to serve people aged 26 or younger in at least one of its focus populations. The guidelines also identify organizations serving people with intersecting historically marginalized identities as ideal partners.
Examples of funded organizations illustrate the range of work supported. Brookline Community Mental Health describes its work as designing and sharing mental health programs to improve care and expand access. Community Catalyst says it builds people’s power to create a health system rooted in race equity and health justice. The Center for Public Representation describes itself as a nonprofit law firm providing mental health and disability law services, while the Center for Law and Education works to make students’ rights to quality education a reality. Center for Self Advocacy says it provides programs promoting self-advocacy for people with developmental disabilities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 208 grants totaling $11,621,906. Grants ranged from $250 to $840,743, with a median of $34,166. Its largest reported awards included $840,743 to Power of Place Learning Communities, $395,311 to Eliot Community Human Services, $333,333 to Brookline Community Mental Health Center, $328,668 to Community Catalyst, and $263,317 to New York Funders Alliance.
The Foundation’s 2025 filing says applicants should submit a letter of inquiry about a qualifying program or project under the website’s guidelines. If selected for consideration, an applicant must complete a full application; applications are by request and may be submitted through the Foundation’s website. The filing says awards may not be used for a recipient’s private benefit, to influence legislation, or to influence or intervene in a political campaign.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Tracy Sawicki as Executive Director. Trustees listed are Mollie Tower Byrnes, Cynthia T Doyle, Robert M Doyle, Donna Owens, David M Welbourn, James H Weiss, Peter T Byrnes, and Mollie M Doyle. Randolph Treece is listed as Attorney Trustee.
The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower is led by Tracy Sawicki, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 11 of 16 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Tracy Sawicki
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$192K (2020) → $213K (2025)
David M. Welbourn
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$14K (2020) → $14K (2025)
Donna Owens
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$13K (2020) → $19K (2025)
James H. Weiss
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$13K (2020) → $7K (2025)
Randolph Treece
Attorney Trustee
On filings since 2022
30 hrs/week
$62K (2022) → $100K (2025)
Marie Cannon
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$3K (2023) → $14K (2025)
Allen Booker
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
$10K (2024) → $13K (2025)
Jacqueline Hall
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
$10K (2024) → $14K (2025)
Marguerite Francis
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
$6K (2024) → $13K (2025)
Thomas Quinn
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
$7K (2025)
Victor Cruz
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
$5K (2025)
Cynthia T. Doyle
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mollie M. Doyle
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mollie Tower Byrnes
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter T. Byrnes
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert M. Doyle
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: John H. Byrnes (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: John N. Blair (2020–2022) — Attorney Trustee
- Former: Dale B. Demyanick (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $213K, to Tracy Sawicki (Executive Director). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower
How much does The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower give each year?
The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower gave $11.6M across 208 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $9.3M across 218 grants.
What is The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower's typical grant size?
The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower's median grant in 2025 was $34,167, and its average grant was $55,875, across 208 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower that year got $36K on average.
Where does The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower give grants?
The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower gives mostly in Massachusetts: 55% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (42%). The most frequent recipient cities were Buffalo, NY (51 grants), Vineyard Haven, MA (12 grants), Boston, MA (8 grants) and Beverly, MA (8 grants).
Does The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 208 grants with a stated purpose on The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (208 grants).
Who are The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower's largest grantees?
The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower's largest 2025 grantees include Power of Place Learning Communitites ($840,743), Eliot Community Human Services ($395,311) and Brookline Community Mental Health Center Inc ($333,333), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower?
The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower reported $123.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $15.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $7.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower fund?
The Foundation’s stated purpose is to strengthen organizations and work to change systems to improve the lives of young people in its geographic footprint. Its four focus areas are intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health, and substance use disorders. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower?
Submit a letter of inquiry describing a program or project that fits the grant guidelines. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower's EIN?
The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-6350753. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-peter-and-elizabeth-c-tower-morg_eec5754e505e4e0cb3818df250b483ba
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_166350753_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-peter-and-elizabeth-c-tower-morg_eec5754e505e4e0cb3818df250b483ba},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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