Tunnel to Towers Foundation

What Tunnel to Towers Foundation does

Tunnel to Towers Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Staten Island, New York, founded in 2001 by Frank Siller to honor his brother, FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, who died in the September 11 attacks. The foundation delivers a portfolio of charitable programs targeted at three core beneficiary segments: surviving spouses with young children of military service members and first responders killed in the line of duty (Gold Star Families, Fallen First Responder Families), catastrophically injured veterans, and homeless veterans. Its core offerings include the Smart Home Program (specially adapted accessible homes with zero thresholds, motorized doors, keyless entry, and smartphone/touchscreen controlled lighting, climate, security, and audio), the Gold Star Family Home Program, the Fallen First Responder Home Program, the Homeless Veteran Program (including Veterans Villages and a National Case Management Network with HUD-VASH partnerships), the Mae and George Siller Scholarship Program (full undergraduate tuition and accredited trade school coverage for beneficiaries' children), and the Tunnel to Towers 9/11 Institute (K-12 curriculum, the NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit, and a speakers bureau). The foundation operates as a donation-funded charity, with 93% of donations directed to programs and over $1 billion committed across programs since inception. Marketing and fundraising leverage annual flagship events (5K Run & Walk NYC capped at 30,000 participants, Tower Climb NYC at One World Trade Center, celebrity golf classic), long-term media partnerships (Fox News Media, Fox Nation documentaries), and corporate sponsors (Home Depot Foundation, GMC, American Express, T-Mobile, NY Jets, NY Giants). In April 2026 the foundation acquired Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, adding $105M+ in cumulative scholarship support to 4,200+ military children into a unified program.

Name

Tunnel to Towers Foundation

Legal name

Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation

Website

https://t2t.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tunnel to Towers Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers mortgage-free accessible homes, scholarships, and veteran housing programs to Gold Star families, fallen first responders, catastrophically injured veterans, and homeless veterans, while preserving 9/11 memory through education and national events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Down Payment Assistance (DPA) & Homebuyer Subsidy Programs (FSALAKAE), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Mortgage-free housing
• Veteran support services
• First responder assistance
• Educational scholarships
• 9/11 memorial programs

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation delivers charitable programs that provide mortgage-free homes to Gold Star families, surviving spouses of fallen first responders, and catastrophically injured veterans. It also operates homeless veteran support services, a 9/11 educational institute, and a national scholarship program covering full tuition for undergraduate degrees and accredited trade schools for children of home program recipients.

Product overview

Tunnel to Towers Foundation operates as a portfolio of charitable programs serving America's heroes. The core offerings include the Smart Home Program (specially adapted homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders), the Gold Star Family Home Program, and the Fallen First Responder Home Program (both providing mortgage-free homes to surviving spouses with children). The Foundation also runs the Homeless Veteran Program, the Tunnel to Towers 9/11 Institute (educational resources including curriculum and mobile exhibits), and the Mae and George Siller Scholarship Program (providing full tuition for beneficiaries' children). Major events include the annual 5K Run & Walk NYC and Tower Climb NYC. The organization acquired Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation in 2026, expanding its scholarship capabilities. The Foundation has delivered over 1,700 mortgage-free homes and committed over $1 billion to programs, with 93% of funds going directly to programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Smart Home Program Builds and delivers specially adapted smart homes featuring zero thresholds, motorized doors, keyless entry, and smartphone-controlled lighting, temperature, security, and sound systems for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders to support independent living.
• Gold Star Family Home Program Provides mortgage-free homes to surviving spouses with young children of military service members who died in the line of duty or from service-related illness, eliminating the housing financial burden for Gold Star families.
• Fallen First Responder Home Program Provides mortgage-free homes to surviving spouses with young children after the loss of a first responder (firefighter, police, etc.) who died in the line of duty, supporting housing stability for fallen first responder families.
• Homeless Veteran Program Delivers housing construction, case management, and supportive services through Tunnel to Towers Veterans Villages, the National Case Management Network, and HUD-VASH Services partnerships to eradicate veteran homelessness.
• Tunnel to Towers 9/11 Institute Educational initiative providing K-12 9/11 curriculum, the 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit, the Discovering Heroes book series, and the 9/11 Speakers Bureau, having educated over 1 million people.
• Mae and George Siller Scholarship Program Provides full tuition coverage for undergraduate degrees and accredited trade schools for children enrolled in the Foundation's Gold Star Family and Fallen First Responder Home Programs.
• Steel Across America Tour Nationwide commemorative tour transporting a recovered 16,000-pound World Trade Center steel beam through more than 35 cities across 21 states, covering over 10,500 miles for the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,700 mortgage-free homes delivered to catastrophically injured veterans, Gold Star families, and fallen first responder families
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Duke Energy FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 June 2026Granted $77,500 to seven nonprofit organizations across Florida including Tunnel to Towers for civic learning and historical remembrance projects as part of America250 initiative.
• Professional Wrestling CommunityminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 June 2026Steve Maclin and Deonna Purrazzo organized Battle for the Brave charity wrestling show to benefit Tunnel to Towers Foundation, featuring Matt and Jeff Hardy.
• Terex Ambulance GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 April 2026Donated $10,000 to Tunnel to Towers Foundation in remembrance of the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. FDIC International 2026 showcase event.
• Flip My Life WellnessminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 April 2026Florida-based wellness company that made a $25,000 donation to support mortgage-free homes and financial relief programs for catastrophically injured veterans, Gold Star families, and fallen first responders.
• Children of Fallen Patriots FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2026Tunnel to Towers acquired Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, bringing together two organizations focused on educating children of fallen heroes. CFP had invested more than $105 million supporting over 4,200 military children.
• Sun Auto Tire & ServiceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 December 2025Raised $20,000 for Tunnel to Towers on Giving Tuesday through an oil change initiative in partnership with RelaDyne to support America's veterans, first responders, and their families.
• Kaluz Restaurant Fort LauderdaleminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 October 2025Conducted a Give Back event on October 15, 2025, donating 20% of sales to Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
• Fox News MediacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFox News is a long-time partner and major sponsor of Tunnel to Towers events and programs. They provide media coverage and promotional support for foundation initiatives.
• The Home Depot FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-time sponsor of Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk NYC event. Supports foundation's mission to provide mortgage-free homes to heroes.
• GMCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk NYC event and foundation programs.
• Mertz FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Tunnel to Towers foundation events and programs.
• American ExpressminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting Tunnel to Towers events and programs.
• T-MobileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting Tunnel to Towers foundation programs.
• New York JetsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional sports team sponsor supporting Tunnel to Towers initiatives.
• New York GiantsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional sports team sponsor supporting Tunnel to Towers initiatives.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Homes for Our Troops: Builds mortgage-free, specially adapted homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans. Directly comparable mission, beneficiary population, and home-delivery model, with a national build program similar in scope to T2T's Smart Home Program.
• Building Homes for Heroes: Provides mortgage-free homes to wounded veterans, injured first responders, and Gold Star families. Near-identical value proposition across all three of T2T's core beneficiary segments, with a similar event-driven fundraising model.
• Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation: Provided college scholarships and educational support to children of fallen service members since 2002, having invested over $105M supporting 4,200+ military children. Now a wholly-owned T2T subsidiary but historically a peer organization in the same educational-support niche for fallen-hero families.

Broad incumbents

• Gary Sinise Foundation: Large veteran-support foundation funding homes, education, and wellness programs for first responders, veterans, and their families. Comparable donor base and mission scope but operates a broader portfolio beyond T2T's housing-focused core.
• Fisher House Foundation: Provides housing near military and VA medical facilities for military and veteran families during hospitalization. Comparable nonprofit housing-for-military-families model but operates a network of free lodging facilities rather than building individual homes.
• Wounded Warrior Project: Large veteran-focused nonprofit offering physical and mental health, career, and support programs to wounded warriors. Comparable donor base and beneficiary overlap (injured veterans) but a much broader service portfolio at substantially larger scale.
• Habitat for Humanity: Nonprofit building affordable housing for low-income families, including veterans in some affiliates. Comparable housing-delivery mission and national donor base but radically larger scale and broader beneficiary population.

Emerging players

• Bob Woodruff Foundation: Funds programs supporting post-9/11 veterans, service members, and their families, including housing-related needs. Comparable beneficiary focus but operates primarily as a grant-funder rather than direct home builder.
• Tuesday's Children: Nonprofit founded after 9/11 supporting families of victims and survivors through mentoring, community, and youth programming. Directly comparable 9/11-anchored origin and family-focused mission but in education/mindfulness rather than housing.
• Team Red, White & Blue: Veteran-support nonprofit building community and well-being through physical and social activity events. Comparable event-driven donor engagement and veteran beneficiary base but with a wellness/community emphasis rather than housing delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Tunnel2Towers
• Facebookfacebook.com/Tunnel2Towers
• Instagraminstagram.com/tunnel2towers/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stephen-siller-tunnel-to-towers-foundation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tunnel to Towers Foundation