Giving Promise
Our Mission
On September 11, 2001, FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller laid down his life to save others when America was attacked. For over 20 years, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has honored Stephen’s legacy by supporting the heroes who continue to risk life and limb in the line of duty.
To date, Tunnel to Towers has delivered over 1,000 mortgage-free homes to our nation’s heroes and committed over $500 million across all of our programs.
This year the Foundation is delivering over 200 mortgage-free homes to catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, Gold Star families, families of first responders who leave behind young children, and more than 1,500 housing units to combat veteran homelessness.
Tunnel to Towers is committed to practicing sound fiscal management, organizational efficiency, and program integrity.
The Foundation keeps fundraising and administrative costs to a minimum, with only a small percentage of funds allocated to overhead expenses.
In 2022, the Foundation’s program service percentage on average was 95%—95 cents out of every dollar went directly to our programs and services. Tunnel to Towers’ Chairman and CEO, Frank Siller, is an uncompensated volunteer.
For nine years running, the Foundation has achieved the highest rating—four stars—from Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities.
In The Line of Duty Programs
Smart Home Program
Specially-adapted, mortgage-free smart homes that help our most catastrophically injured veterans and first responders to reclaim their day-to-day independence.
Fallen First Responder Program
The Foundation pays off the mortgages for the families of law enforcement officers and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty, pass away from 9/11-related illnesses, and leave behind young children.
Gold Star Family Home Program
By paying off the mortgage or providing surviving spouses and young children with mortgage-free homes, the Foundation honors the legacy of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country.
Homeless Veterans
In 2022, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation launched a new national campaign to eradicate homelessness in the veteran community. This program provides a stable home and a wide range of needed services to diagnose and solve the root causes of veteran homelessness, addressing a veteran’s specific emotional, financial, and physical issues.
In the program’s first year, through grants and partnerships Tunnel to Towers has helped to provide 500 housing units and services to homeless veterans in their time of need.
This year Tunnel to Towers is providing more than 1,500 housing units and services to veterans. The Foundation believes no veteran should be living on the streets of the country they signed up to protect.
Never Forget Programs
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation made a promise to “NEVER FORGET” those lost on 9/11 and the continued impact the attacks have on America and its first responders.
To keep that promise and educate future generations, the Foundation engages people in events across America and is educating future generations. The Foundation launched the Tunnel to Towers 9/11 Institute™ in 2022.
The Institute comprises the 9/11 Curriculum, the “Discovering Heroes®” Book series, a 9/11 Speakers Bureau, the 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit and Russell F. Siller Memorial Scholarships.
The Tunnel to Towers 9/11 Institute™ Curriculum Units are unique and age appropriate for all K-12 students. By the end of 2022, the Institute’s Curriculum Units were in use in 47 states and Puerto Rico.