Carnegie Hero Fund Commission
The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission is a private foundation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its two-fold mission is to recognize and support people who perform acts of heroism in civilian life in the United States and Canada.
Carnegie Hero Fund Commission at a glance
In short: Carnegie Hero Fund Commission gave $1.0M across 144 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), top state Florida. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,016,734
- +9.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 144
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $7,061
- +9.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $65,986,830
- +6.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Florida (11% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Carnegie Hero Fund Commission
- How to Apply
-
For consideration of a heroic act, the filing says to submit a letter providing the date, time, and place of the act, along with the hero’s and a witness’s addresses. The act must be brought to the Commission’s attention within two years. The Commission requires conclusive evidence and assesses each case against its criteria, including that the rescuer was a civilian who voluntarily undertook extraordinary risk to save or attempt to save a life. The Commission’s website says nominations may come from the public or media accounts. For scholarship assistance, applicants must provide school cost and resource documentation and a recent tax return; continuing applicants must also provide evidence of academic performance.
- Review Cycle
- The filing states that the heroic act must be brought to the Commission’s attention within two years of its occurrence.
- Deadline
- The filing states that the heroic act must be brought to the Commission’s attention within two years of its occurrence.
- Contact
Application contact: Joseph Mandak Investigations Manage
Mailing address: 436 Seventh Avenue Suite 1101, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: (412) 281-1302
Website: https://carnegiehero.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Carnegie Hero Fund Commission funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Jaxon M Gomillia Formerly Jada M ($30K). Together the top 7 received $78K.
Organizations only. It also paid 137 grants to individuals ($938,351), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
731 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 729 grants of 731 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Commission’s stated award territory is the United States, Canada, and their waters within 12 nautical miles. In 2024, the largest reported shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Florida (11%), California (9%), Ohio (8%), Pennsylvania (7%), and an unspecified category listed as “?” (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 144 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Carnegie Hero Fund Commission gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−3%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $889K (2020) to $1.0M (2021). In 2024 it made 144 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 47 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $421,035 |
| Jaxon M Gomillia Formerly Jada M N Fort Myers, FL | Educational Benefits | $30,000 |
| Medals and Certificates Pittsburgh, PA | Medals and Certificates Awarded for Acts of Heroism | $21,883 |
| Ronald Briggs Sr and Jeanine Briggs Portland, OR | Heroic Recognition Awards | $7,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $65,986,830 | $2,836,191 | $2,421,408 | $1,016,734 | 144 | $2,378,304 | $3,851,399 |
| 2023 | $61,909,833 | $2,681,845 | $2,401,532 | $930,596 | 144 | $2,368,998 | $1,763,633 |
| 2022 | $57,056,483 | $2,645,701 | $2,240,928 | $916,575 | 139 | $2,212,056 | $3,096,473 |
| 2021 | $66,172,990 | $2,407,166 | $2,253,429 | $1,044,158 | 157 | $2,227,777 | $9,767,856 |
| 2020 | $58,478,208 | $2,238,300 | $2,078,055 | $888,932 | 147 | — | $6,080,217 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Commission’s website describes support for heroes and dependents of people disabled or killed as a result of heroism. Assistance may include one-time grants, scholarships, death benefits, medical and mental-health treatment costs, and ongoing support for disabled heroes or the dependents of deceased medal recipients. Other support includes grave markers, graduation honor cords, and medal refinishing.
Scholarship assistance is limited and need-based. Eligible applicants may include medal recipients and the dependents or children of disabled or deceased recipients. Funding is for academic costs at an accredited and licensed school, such as tuition, books, and fees; it is not available for room and board, travel, completed terms, or outstanding student debt.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Commission reported 144 grants totaling $1,016,734. Grants ranged from $325 to $30,010, with a median of $7,500. The largest listed grants included $30,010 to an individual recipient in Ohio and $30,000 to an individual recipient in Florida, both for educational benefits; $21,883 for medals and certificates awarded for acts of heroism; and $15,500 to an individual recipient in Ohio for educational benefits.
The 2024 filing describes monthly grants and disablement benefits for 49 heroes or survivors, heroic recognition awards and funeral benefits for 80 recipients, and educational benefits for 13 recipients. These are forms of support for heroes, survivors, and dependents.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Mark J. Laskow as chair emeritus; Thomas L. Wentling Jr. as trustee and first vice chair; Arthur M. Scully III as treasurer; and Nancy L. Rackoff and David McL. Hillman as trustees. It also lists Priscilla J. McCrady, Albert H. Burchfield III, Ann M. McGuinn, Frank Brooks Robinson, and Sybil P. Veeder, PhD, as trustees emeritus.
Carnegie Hero Fund Commission is led by Eric P. Zahren, President & Chair since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 27 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Eric P. Zahren
President & Chair
President & Secretary → President & Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$137K (2020) → $235K (2024)
Christopher McCrady
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David McL Hillman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Evan S. Frazier
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph C. Walton
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda T. Hills
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy L. Rackoff
Trustee
Vice Chair → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nathalie Lemieux
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter J. Lambrou MD
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas L. Wentling Jr.
Trustee & 1st Vice Chair
Trustee → Trustee & 1st Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alex Diclaudio
Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Ross
Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin D. Hiles
Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lee Tilghman
Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dara Ware Allen PhD
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David J. Hickton
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Duane D. Holloway
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Sylvester
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark J. Laskow
Chair Emeritus
Chair → Chair Emeritus, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Albert H. Burchfield III
Trustee Emeritus
Trustee → Trustee Emeritus, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ann M. McGuinn
Trustee Emeritus
Trustee → Trustee Emeritus, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Arthur M. Scully III
Treasurer
Trustee → Trustee & Treasurer, 2023
Trustee & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frank Brooks Robinson
Trustee Emeritus
Trustee → Trustee Emeritus, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael A. Thompson
Secretary
Trustee → Trustee & Secretary, 2023
Trustee & Secretary → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Priscilla J. McCrady
Trustee Emeritus
Trustee → Trustee Emeritus, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susanne C. Wean
2nd Vice Chair
Trustee → Trustee & 2nd Vice Chair, 2023
Trustee & 2nd Vice Chair → 2nd Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sybil P. Veeder PhD
Trustee Emeritus
Trustee → Trustee Emeritus, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Robert J. Cindrich (2020–2023) — Trustee Emeritus
- Former: Dan D. Sandman (2020–2022) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $235K, to Eric P Zahren (President/Chair).
Frequently asked questions about Carnegie Hero Fund Commission
How much does Carnegie Hero Fund Commission give each year?
Carnegie Hero Fund Commission gave $1.0M across 144 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $931K across 144 grants.
What is Carnegie Hero Fund Commission's typical grant size?
Carnegie Hero Fund Commission's median grant in 2024 was $7,500, and its average grant was $7,061, across 144 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Carnegie Hero Fund Commission give grants?
Carnegie Hero Fund Commission's top state is Florida, with 11% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (9%) and Ohio (8%).
Does Carnegie Hero Fund Commission give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 144 grants with a stated purpose on Carnegie Hero Fund Commission's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Heroic Recognition Awards" (80 grants), "Grants to Indigent Families/Disabled Rescuers" (49 grants) and "Educational Benefits" (13 grants).
Who are Carnegie Hero Fund Commission's largest grantees?
Carnegie Hero Fund Commission's largest 2024 grantees include Jaxon M Gomillia Formerly Jada M ($30,000), Medals and Certificates ($21,883) and Ronald Briggs Sr and Jeanine Briggs ($7,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 137 grants to individuals ($938,351), which are not listed by name. Together they received 6% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Carnegie Hero Fund Commission?
Carnegie Hero Fund Commission reported $66.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $2.8M.
What does Carnegie Hero Fund Commission fund?
The Commission’s website describes support for heroes and dependents of people disabled or killed as a result of heroism. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Carnegie Hero Fund Commission?
For consideration of a heroic act, the filing says to submit a letter providing the date, time, and place of the act, along with the hero’s and a witness’s addresses. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Carnegie Hero Fund Commission's EIN?
Carnegie Hero Fund Commission's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-1062730. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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