Carnegie Hero Fund Commission
The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission is a philanthropic organization based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, founded in 1904. It operates as a private association and nonprofit entity dedicated to recognizing and supporting extraordinary acts of heroism. The organization administers the Carnegie Medal Award Program, which honors individuals in the United States and Canada who take on significant personal risk to save or attempt to save the lives of others.
Key facts about Carnegie Hero Fund Commission
- EIN
- 25-1062730
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,016,734
- Grants made (2024)
- 144
- Average grant
- $7,061
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $65,986,830
- Primary geography
- Florida (11% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Applications must be submitted within two years of the heroic act.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Carnegie Hero Fund Commission funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Carnegie Hero Fund Commission's 144 itemized 2024 grants were Florida (11%), California (9%) and Ohio (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (4 grants), Pittsburgh, PA (3 grants), Flemington, NJ (3 grants) and Medina, OH (3 grants). None of its 144 grants with a stated purpose 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).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$66.0M
+6.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.0M
+9.3% YoY
Grant Count
144
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
+9.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission awards the Carnegie Medal to individuals who demonstrate extraordinary heroism. Beyond medal recognition, the organization provides monthly grants and disablement benefits to hero survivors and to heroes who have been injured while performing acts of heroism. The foundation's work is grounded in the vision of Andrew Carnegie, whose endowment established the fund 119 years ago.
Grantmaking
The foundation has made 589 grants totaling $3.8 million across its history, with grantmaking activity highest in 2021 when $1 million was distributed across 158 grants. Annual distributions have ranged between $889,000 and $1 million from 2020 to 2023.
Grant Range
$7,000
Average Grant
$7,000
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Carnegie Hero Fund Commission?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports recipients in Florida, Pennsylvania, and California, which account for 24% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches individuals across 45 states, with notable funding regions including California and Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 144 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $65,986,830 (up 6.6% year-over-year)
- Annual revenue: $2,836,191
- Total expenses: $2,421,408
- Qualifying distributions: $2,378,304
- Net investment income: $3,851,399
Multi-Year Comparison:
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $65,986,830 | $61,909,833 | $57,056,483 |
| Revenue | $2,836,191 | $2,681,845 | $2,645,701 |
| Expenses | $2,421,408 | $2,401,532 | $2,240,928 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,378,304 | $2,368,998 | $2,212,056 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,851,399 | $1,763,633 | $3,096,473 |
The organization has demonstrated consistent asset growth, expanding from $38.3 million in 2011 to $66 million in 2024.
IRS Status:
- EIN: 25-1062730
- IRS Ruling Year: 1944
- Tax-deductible contributions
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $65,986,830 | $61,909,833 | $57,056,483 |
| Revenue | $2,836,191 | $2,681,845 | $2,645,701 |
| Expenses | $2,421,408 | $2,401,532 | $2,240,928 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,378,304 | $2,368,998 | $2,212,056 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,851,399 | $1,763,633 | $3,096,473 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
731 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Shane Morrison ($30,010), Jaxon M Gomillia Formerly Jada M ($30,000), Pierre Joseph Gibbons ($26,850 across 2 grants).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SHANE MORRISON PAINESVILLE, OH | EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS | $30,010 |
| 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 |
| ISAAC J RADKE MEDINA, OH | EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS | $15,500 |
| PIERRE JOSEPH GIBBONS BALTIMORE, MD | HEROIC RECOGNITION AWARDS | $15,000 |
| ASHLEY WAHLER OWENSBORO, KY | EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS | $13,805 |
| PIERRE JOSEPH GIBBONS BALTIMORE, MD | GRANTS TO INDIGENT FAMILIES/DISABLED RESCUERS | $11,850 |
| KEVIN CONKLIN BETHLEHEM, PA | EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS | $11,800 |
| MC KENZIE A DAY FONTANA, CA | EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS | $11,733 |
| MORLAN O'BRYAN ORLANDO, FL | GRANTS TO INDIGENT FAMILIES/DISABLED RESCUERS | $10,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Roger Seibert served as President of the Hero Fund Commission, having held the position for two decades beginning in 2001. The organization is governed by 27 officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARK J LASKOW | CHAIR EMERITUS | 0.26 | — |
| PRISCILLA J MCCRADY | TRUSTEE EMERITUS | 0.19 | — |
| THOMAS L WENTLING JR | TRUSTEE/1ST VICE CHAIR | 0.19 | — |
| ARTHUR M SCULLY III | TREASURER | 0.26 | — |
| ALBERT H BURCHFIELD III | TRUSTEE EMERITUS | 0.19 | — |
| NANCY L RACKOFF | TRUSTEE | 0.26 | — |
| ANN M MCGUINN | TRUSTEE EMERITUS | 0.19 | — |
| FRANK BROOKS ROBINSON | TRUSTEE EMERITUS | 0.19 | — |
| DAVID MCL HILLMAN | TRUSTEE | 0.19 | — |
| SYBIL P VEEDER PHD | TRUSTEE EMERITUS | 0.19 | — |
| LINDA T HILLS | TRUSTEE | 0.19 | — |
| ERIC P ZAHREN | PRESIDENT/CHAIR | 40 | $235,000 |
| CHRISTOPHER MCCRADY | TRUSTEE | 0.19 | — |
| PETER J LAMBROU MD | TRUSTEE | 0.19 | — |
| SUSANNE C WEAN | 2ND VICE CHAIR | 0.19 | — |
| JOSEPH C WALTON | TRUSTEE | 0.19 | — |
| NATHALIE LEMIEUX | TRUSTEE | 0.19 | — |
| MICHAEL A THOMPSON | SECRETARY | 0.19 | — |
| ALEX DICLAUDIO | TRUSTEE | 0.19 | — |
| LEE TILGHMAN | TRUSTEE | 0.19 | — |
| KEVIN D HILES | TRUSTEE | 0.19 | — |
| ANDREA ROSS | TRUSTEE | 0.19 | — |
| DARA WARE ALLEN PHD | TRUSTEE | 0.19 | — |
| DAVID J HICKTON | TRUSTEE | 0.19 | — |
| DUANE D HOLLOWAY | TRUSTEE | 0.19 | — |
| LISA SYLVESTER | TRUSTEE | 0.19 | — |
| EVAN S FRAZIER | TRUSTEE | 0.19 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission continues to recognize individuals for extraordinary heroism. Recent award announcements have highlighted recipients across various states, including recognition of 17-18 individuals per announcement cycle for their heroic actions. Recipients have used their Carnegie Medal grants for diverse purposes, including community contributions such as supporting local dog park development.
Hero Fund recognizes 18 people with Carnegie Medal for Heroism \u2013 Carnegie\Frequently Asked Questions
What does Carnegie Hero Fund Commission fund?
The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission awards the Carnegie Medal to individuals who demonstrate extraordinary heroism. Beyond medal recognition, the organization provides monthly grants and disablement benefits to hero survivors and to heroes who have been injured while performing acts of heroism. The foundation's work is grounded in the vision of Andrew Carnegie, whose endowment established the fund 119 years ago.
How do I apply for a grant from Carnegie Hero Fund Commission?
**Grant Activity & Amounts:** • Total assets: $65.99 million (2024) • Annual giving: $1.02 million (2024) • Grant count: 144 grants (2024) • Average grant size: $7,000 • Median grant: $6,000 • Individual grants have ranged up to $100,000 **Historical Distribution:** The foundation has made 589 grants totaling $3.8 million across its history, with grantmaking activity highest in 2021 when $1 million was distributed across 158 grants. Annual distributions have ranged between $889,000 and $1 milli…
Where does Carnegie Hero Fund Commission make grants?
The foundation primarily supports recipients in Florida, Pennsylvania, and California, which account for 24% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches individuals across 45 states, with notable funding regions including California and Florida.
What size grants does Carnegie Hero Fund Commission award?
In 2024, Carnegie Hero Fund Commission awarded 144 grants totaling $1.0M — an average of about $7K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Carnegie Hero Fund Commission's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.