General Operating Grants

The Peter & Elizabeth Tower Foundation has announced the 2025 Federal Crisis Response: General Operating Grants program as part of a one-time emergency funding shift. This decision comes as a response to severe federal funding cuts, a declining fundraising environment, and increasing political resistance to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In light of these challenges, the Foundation is canceling its regular 2025 grantmaking cycles and redirecting approximately $4.9 million to crisis-related needs. This effort includes $2.7 million specifically allocated to general operating support for eligible nonprofits serving core populations in defined geographic areas. The grant is designed to provide unrestricted general operating support to nonprofit organizations actively serving youth and young adults, aged 26 and under, within targeted populations. These include individuals with intellectual disabilities (including autism spectrum disorders), specific learning disabilities, mental illness or mental health challenges, and substance use disorders. Only organizations currently delivering services in Barnstable, Dukes, Essex, or Nantucket Counties in Massachusetts, or Erie and Niagara Counties in New York, are eligible to apply. Furthermore, ideal applicants will also support historically marginalized communities such as BIPOC individuals, people experiencing housing insecurity, LGBTQIA+ communities, immigrants or refugees, and individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants must be not-for-profit organizations with a 501(c)(3) status or non-501(c)(3) entities with a fiscal sponsor, subject to prior consultation with a Program Officer. Institutions of higher education, government entities, school districts, and private or charter schools are not eligible. However, organizations operating schools as one component of their services may apply. Both new applicants and past or current Tower Foundation grantees are encouraged to submit proposals. The Foundation will make 45 unrestricted general operating grants of $60,000 each. There are no restrictions on how the awarded funds must be spent, nor is there a time limit for expenditure. The total allocation for this category is $2.7 million, with all awards distributed in 2025. No matching funds are required. Applications must be submitted through the Tower Foundation grants portal by September 5, 2025, at 11:59:59 PM. Award notifications are expected to be issued by October 17, 2025. First-time applicants are encouraged to consult with a Program Officer in advance, and guidance is available via an application preview and booking link on the Foundation’s website. Prospective applicants needing accommodations to complete their applications are encouraged to email info@thetowerfoundation.org. While technical assistance is available through the support system within the grants portal, questions regarding specific proposal decisions will not be addressed due to the anticipated volume of submissions. Finally, although the Tower Foundation does not promote using generative AI to write proposals, it recognizes their usefulness in strengthening content, provided applicants carefully review and ensure the quality of all submitted materials.

Applicants are advised to book a call with a Program Officer if they are new to the Foundation. They are encouraged to review the Application Preview online and to use generative AI tools carefully to strengthen writing, ensuring no sensitive data is submitted.