Giving Back: Steven Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation

BJT readers—who represent one of the highest-net-worth magazine audiences anywhere—clearly have the means to contribute to a better world. To help you do that, we’re spotlighting deserving organizations in every issue. All of them have received a four-star overall rating from Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org), which evaluates philanthropic institutions based on their finances, accountability, and transparency.

The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation offers support to service people such as firefighters, police officers, and veterans, and their families. It is named for a Brooklyn firefighter who lost his life saving others during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which killed approximately 3,000 people and caused health problems for many more, including hundreds of first responders. Tunnel to Towers raises many of its funds through local events such as 5k runs and walks, and the organization sends the money where it will provide the most relief. For example, in January 2015, the foundation raised over $1 million to fully pay off the mortgages of the families of slain NYPD officers Wenjian Liu and Luis Ramos. The foundation also supports U.S. veterans who are returning from service through such programs as Building For America’s Bravest, which provides custom-designed homes for the catastrophically wounded.