Tunnel to Towers Foundation
| Formation | 2001 |
|---|---|
| Type | Nonprofit 501(c)(3) Corporation |
| 02-0554654[1] | |
| Purpose | Honoring the sacrifice of FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller, who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001[3] |
| Headquarters | New York |
| Location |
|
CEO | Frank Siller |
| Website | Official website |
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is a charitable organization founded in tribute to New York Fire Department firefighter Stephen Siller, who was killed on September 11, 2001, during the September 11 attacks.[4] The foundation operates as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and helps families of September 11, first responders and veterans rebuild in part from funds raised through nationwide charity runs.[5][6][3][7][8] The name of the organization commemorates Siller's run to the World Trade Center before being killed (he had driven his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel, but found that it had been closed for security purposes; determined to carry out his duty, he strapped his gear to his back and raced on foot through the tunnel to the Twin Towers, a distance of 3 miles, where he lost his life while saving others).[9]
The foundation faced controversy for funneling money raised ostensibly for families of September 11 first responders to instead provide financial assistance to former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani.[8]
The foundation also operates the Let Us Do Good Village, a 100-home area in Land O'Lakes, Florida, explicitly for veterans, first responders and their families.[10] Since 2021, the foundation had paid about 30 mortgages for families of first responders across the United States, including the family of Darian Jarrott.[11]
See also
- 2023 Hula Bowl, sponsored by the foundation.[12]
References
- ^ "Tunnel to Towers Foundation". CharityWatch. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ Swick, Gerald (February 26, 2015). "TUNNEL TO TOWERS AIDS CRITICALLY WOUNDED VETERANS". HistoryNet. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Frequently Asked Questions". Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
- ^ Yaeger, Don (September 11, 2024). "Foundation Honors 9/11 Hero: A Beacon Of Hope For Families Of Fallen Military Personnel, First Responders". Forbes.
- ^ Bowens, Dan (September 7, 2023). "Tunnel to Towers legacy: Lisa and Jake's NYC marathon fundraising effort". FOX5 New York.
- ^ "Tunnel 2 Towers climb supports 9/11 families, first responders, and military". WRGB. September 17, 2023.
- ^ "Tunnel To Towers: The Growing History Of The Stephen Siller Foundation". CBS News. October 5, 2018.
- ^ a b David A. Fahrenthold and Eileen Sullivan (June 1, 2024). "A 9/11 Charity Provides a Financial Safety Net to a Giuliani Firm". The New York Times.
- ^ Bakken, Bob (June 19, 2025). "Brooks to receive mortgage-free smart home from Tunnel to Towers Foundation". DeSoto County News.
- ^ Waxler, Erick (December 2, 2021). "Land O'Lakes to become home to one of a kind community". WFTS-TV.
- ^ "Aid for families of fallen officers: Non-profit paid off at least 30 mortgages across the US in 2021". Albuquerque Journal. May 13, 2022 – via PressReader.
- ^ Siller, Stephen (November 16, 2022). "Tunnel to Towers Foundation to Serve as Title Sponsor of Hula Bowl 2023". WNCT-TV (Press release). Staten Island, New York: GlobeNewshire.