Since its inception in 2019, our Community Experts Team brings together young adults from Western New York and Eastern Massachusetts. Team members share their lived expertise with our four focus areas (intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health challenges, and substance use disorders) to design a grantmaking initiative that reflects what they feel their communities need most. The entire process, including ultimate grant award decisions, is driven by the team members.

Art is essential to maintaining the health of our communities. Accessible and inclusive arts programs developed and administered by innovative organizations like Express Yourself, Cotuit Center for the Arts and Danceability are integral to supporting our focus areas. These programs encourage youth and young adults to explore new activities like sculpture, dance, theater, and more to manage stress and support mental health and well-being. Support for creative expression, whether by investing in programs or organizational capacity, expands horizons and builds confidence in young people.

The Care Management Coalition of Western New York, a nine-agency collaborative serving individuals and families in Buffalo’s Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood and other under-served areas of Western New York, is an evolving testament to the power of teamwork. Initially spearheaded by the leadership of EPIC (Every Person Influences Children), Parent Network of Western New York, and Mental Health Advocates, the Coalition shares resources, programming, and office space among its members at 1021 Broadway. The Coalition aims to provide people with access to comprehensive healthcare and wellness services, education support, and advocacy assistance—all in one place. Leveraging the advantages of proximity to the fullest, the Coalition offers an accessible and convenient human services hub, while partner agencies retain their individual identity and focus.

Community Catalyst’s Count On Youth! program empowers young people to speak their truth and create restorative policy change in Lynn, Massachusetts high schools. The program engages students with lived experience to help raise awareness of the need to change disciplinary action policy in schools. Ten students team up with adult supporters and school staff to adjust or reform the processes that lead to suspension, expulsion, and other forms of separation. With help from program mentors and advocates, students learn to advocate for themselves and take the steps needed to achieve the change they want to see.

When nonprofits have the resources they need to serve children and their families, everyone can thrive. The Foundation believes that general operating grants give our partners flexibility to apply funds where they are most needed and where they will have the most impact. Recipients of these grants can use these funds to retain staff, plan events, purchase adaptive technology for children in need, or treat team members to a complimentary lunch—all important facets of continuing mission-critical work. In 2023, the Foundation launched a cohort-based general operating initiative. Program participants receive unrestricted grants of $70,000 annually over five years.

The Board recruited three new members in 2024—Allen Paul Booker, Dr. Marie A. Cannon, and Dr. Jacqueline Hall—to better reflect the communities the Tower Foundation serves.

While appreciating the experience and wisdom of longstanding Board members, the Foundation recognized the need to invite new voices to the table. These new Trustees diversify the identities reflected on the Board, bringing deep experience in government service, youth-focused programming, nonprofit leadership, and workforce development.