Grantmaking Programs at The Pittsburgh Foundation

In June 2009, the Foundation's Board of Directors approved a new strategic plan that included the following goals for the Program Department as it carries out grantmaking from The Pittsburgh Foundation Community Endowment:

1)  Self Sufficient Individuals & Families evidenced by
     a)  Quality pre-K through 12 Education- Increase Student Achievement for all children in all subject matter
     areas, with special emphasis on acquiring foundational skills necessary to master reading and mathematics,
     graduate from hich school and transition to college or a meaningful career; improve the quality of out-of-school
     programs; and develop educational leaders who support academic proficiency, social engagement, and the rights
     of every student to learn.

     b)  Affordable Housing-  Increase the supply of affordable housing for low and moderate-income families and
     seniors and reduce the number of people who become homeless.

     c)  A Viable System of Public Transportation-  Enhance access to entry-level jobs and needed services through
     integrated transit systems; expand strategic alliances to increase transit ridership; and promote development of
     healthy transportation alternatives (walking, biking, etc.)

     d)  Healthy Children and Adults-  Improve community-based systems of care that support physicaland behavioral
     health (i.e., physical, mental, and behavioral as well as addictive disease) of vulnerable populations in Allegheny
     County.

     e)  Opportunities for Meaningful Work-  Develop integrated systems to prepare, recruit, promote and retain entry
     level workers in growth industries, particularly through industry partnerships and improve opportunities for
     unemployed and low wage workers as well as youth to advance in the labor market and thereby increase their
     earned income.

2)  Healthy Communities evidenced by
     a)  Enhanced Ecological Awareness & Activism- Encourage community to assess and decrease their carbon
     footprint.

     b)  Safe Communities- Create a community-based effort that increases the capacity of communities to work
     together to eliminate violence; and develop comprehensive and integrated re-entry and diversion programs that
     include case management, job development, human services, criminal justice linkages.

     c)  Respect and Value Diversity-  Engage communities in activities that foster and advance the civil and
     human rights of all citizens in the effort to eliminate discrimination against individuals based upon race/ethnicity,
     disability, age, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation in education, employment, healthcare, income, housing
     and in achieving other basic needs.

     d)  Encourage Creativity-  Develop and sustain a complex arts ecology composed of individual artists, arts
     organizations, and arts service organizations with project, operating, technical assistance and capacity- building
     grantmaking.

     e)  Encourage Excellence in Civic Design-  Support projects that evidence excellence in civic design.

3)  A Vibrant Democracy evidenced by
     a)  High Degree of Civic Engagement- Increase participation in civic dialogue leading to community organizing to
     advance social change.

     b)  Research and Dissemination of Findings to Impact Policy- Create and disseminate research on critical
     community issues designed to inform and shape public policy.


APPLICATION PROCESS



Other Programs


PittburghGives
The Pittsburgh Foundation developed PittsburghGives as a way to encourage effective philanthropy and to connect donors with causes they care about.  PittsburghGives provides objective, verifiable information about nonprofit organizations and their missions through the creation of a detailed portrait, which is published on the PittsburghGives Website.  In order to receive a grant from the Community Endowment, applicants must have an approved portrait on the PittsburghGives platform.


Medical Research
Over the past decade, Pittsburgh has emerged as one of the country's most important medical research centers. The Foundation provides support for a variety of these cutting edge research topics.


Scholarships

Thanks to donors who establish scholarship funds, The Pittsburgh Foundation awards hundreds of scholarships each year to area students.

Donor-Directed Grantmaking
Many philanthropically minded Pittsburghers have established funds at the Foundation that specify one or more eligible organizations to receive grants.
For Grant Seekers