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Small Grants Program

Small Grants Program Application  .pdf (121KB) (complete instructions, face sheet, and application)   

The Small Grants Program aims to be responsive to community needs and support organizations that advance the Foundation’s funding objectives. This initiative offers opportunities for funding requests that may be too small to be competitive in the Foundation’s annual grantmaking cycles.

Overall, the Small Grants Program will allow the Foundation to respond to short-term organizational needs in a simplified and expedited manner. Under this category, eligible non-profits can apply for one-year grants of $30,000 or less. The total amount available for this year’s Small Grants Program is $300,000. The Foundation anticipates splitting this amount into two cycles with deadlines in March and October. Within each cycle, the Foundation expects to award 1-2 grants between $20,000 and $30,000; 3-4 grants between $10,000 and $19,999; and four or more grants of less than $10,000.

Who is Eligible?

Organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) classifications, public school districts, charter schools, or diocesan or private schools that currently operate programs for children, adolescents, or young adults to age 26.

Please note that organizations must also provide services in one of the Foundation’s four funding categories:

  • Mental Health
  • Substance Abuse
  • Intellectual Disabilities
  • Learning Disabilities

Organizations located in one of the following geographic areas: 

  • In Massachusetts:
    • Barnstable County
    • Dukes County
    • Essex County
    • Nantucket County
  • In New York:
    • Erie County
    • or Niagara County
The Foundation will give preference to organizations with annual operating budgets below $3 million.

Please note that organizations awarded a grant under this initiative must wait two years before they are eligible to reapply to the Small Grants Program. However, organizations that apply for a small grant are eligible to apply for other Tower Foundation initiatives.

Types of Support

Capacity Building- For specific activities or projects aimed at strengthening an organization’s programmatic or administrative capacity. Some examples of allowable capacity building activities include: organizational assessment, an agency’s first audit, strategic and board planning, executive coaching and consulting, and staff participation in professional development.
Program Development- Support for program development, planning, or enhancement. Please note that funds cannot be used for service delivery.
Capital/Equipment Projects- For small projects that involve one-time capital or non-consumable equipment expenditures.

Timeline

Grant Submission Due Date Notification Date
Friday, March 1, 2013  >> Closed Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Friday, October 4, 2013 Friday, December 6, 2013







Please note that applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. on the due date and must include original (i.e., “wet) signatures. E‐mailed or faxed copies are not accepted.

Grant Limitations

Small Grants are not made:

  • To organizations that do not currently operate programs in one of the Foundation’s funding categories
  • For projects that fit more appropriately with one of the Foundation’s other grantmaking initiatives
  • For activities that directly support delivery of an organization’s core services
  • For multiple year projects
  • For research
  • For start-up support
  • For fundraising
  • For endowment support
  • For lobbying purposes
  • For capital campaigns
  • For scholarships


All of the requested information must be received in order to be considered for a small grant. For Small Grant Program instructions, face sheet and complete application, click here.

Foundation Contact Information

If you have questions about the Foundation’s Small Grants Program, please contact:

Chuck Colston, Program Officer
cec@thetowerfoundation.org
716-689-0370 x206

Notice Regarding Your Submission

By submitting a proposal to the Foundation, you, as the applicant or its duly authorized representative, hereby agree and consent that the Foundation may disclose to any employee, trustee or professional representative of the Foundation, or to other potential funding sources or their representatives for possible collaboration, this proposal and all supporting materials which have been or will be submitted in connection therewith, including but not limited to the applicant’s letter of inquiry.