GBU Foundation Inc
GBU Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It supports GBU members’ education through scholarships and makes community grants to nonprofit organizations aligned with GBU Life’s four Community Pillars: Wellness, Education, Charitable Giving, and Hometown Hero Support.
GBU Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: GBU Foundation Inc gave $136K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $135,500
- +238.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- +175.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $12,318
- +23.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $4,851,659
- +43.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (56% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to GBU Foundation Inc
- Invitation Only
-
For the 2026 community awards cycle, eligible organizations first needed a nomination from a GBU member or GBU Foundation donor. A nomination did not guarantee an invitation to apply; invited organizations submitted formal applications for review and finalist selection. The Foundation’s website describes public voting among finalists.
- Contact
Mailing address: 4254 Saw Mill Run Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15227-3344
Phone: (412) 884-5100
Website: https://gbu.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who GBU Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was German American Festival ($40K). Together the top 10 received $131K.
Grant Size Distribution
16 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 16 grants of 16 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation is based in Pittsburgh. Its community grant materials describe a nationwide program. In filing year 2025, grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania (56%), Ohio (33%), Michigan (7%), and Minnesota (4%). The 2026 award announcements also list recipients in other states, including Texas, Tennessee, New Jersey, and Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
How GBU Foundation Inc gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $20K (2022) to $136K (2025). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $136K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| German American Festival Oregon, OH | Program Support | $40,000 |
| The Education Partnership Pittsburgh, PA | Program Support | $25,500 |
| Casey's Clubhouse Bethel Park, PA | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Children's Advocacy Center of Kent County Grand Rapids, MI | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Women's Help Center Inc Johnstown, PA | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Heroes Supporting Heroes Oakdale, PA | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Kidcelerate Pittsburgh, PA | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Community of Hope Free Health Clinic Toledo, OH | Program Support | $5,000 |
| Elizabeth Seton Center Inc Pittsburgh, PA | Program Support | $5,000 |
| The Open Door Pantry Eagan, MN | Program Support | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with GBU Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,851,659 | $1,228,584 | $165,136 | $135,500 | 11 | $47,837 |
| 2024 | $3,393,161 | $411,681 | $356,347 | $40,000 | 4 | $137,179 |
| 2023 | $2,980,499 | $418,920 | $235,990 | — | — | $136,652 |
| 2022 | $2,720,775 | $263,636 | $185,950 | $20,000 | 1 | $109,894 |
| 2021 | $3,169,110 | $287,816 | $192,734 | — | — | $109,218 |
| 2020 | $3,120,900 | $277,965 | $181,716 | — | — | $120,794 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated mission is “to help our donors achieve their philanthropic goals and potential.” Its community grant program supports organizations working in wellness, education, charitable giving, and hometown hero support. Examples among its 2025 grantees include The Education Partnership, which says it provides school supplies to students and teachers in under-resourced southwestern Pennsylvania schools, and Metro-Erie Meals on Wheels, which says it delivers nutritious meals and helps seniors age at home with dignity.
The Foundation also offers scholarships and grants for education to eligible GBU members. Its website says scholarships are available to GBU Life policyholders and annuitants; relatives of policyholders are not eligible. The filing states that scholarship and grant funds are generally remitted directly to accredited schools toward tuition, with awards issued to students for school-related expenses if they have a full scholarship.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 11 grants totaling $135,500. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $40,000, with a median grant of $10,000. The largest listed awards were $40,000 to German American Festival in Oregon, Ohio, and $25,500 to The Education Partnership in Pittsburgh. Other listed awards included $10,000 each to Casey’s Clubhouse, Children’s Advocacy Center of Kent County, Women’s Help Center, Heroes Supporting Heroes, and Kidcelerate.
The Foundation’s website reports that its 2026 Community Grant Awards distributed $100,000 among 41 organizations. Awards covered the four Community Pillars, with first-, second-, and third-place grants of $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500 in each pillar, alongside special and sponsored awards.
For the 2026 awards cycle, eligible organizations had to be IRS-classified 501(c)(3) organizations, affect the nominating member’s or donor’s local community, and meet at least one pillar’s guidelines. Only GBU members or GBU Foundation donors could nominate organizations. Nominations ran October 1–December 5, 2025; invited applications were due January 16, 2026. Finalists were announced February 9, voting ran February 13–28, and winners were announced in March. These dates have passed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists William W. Hunt as CEO/President and Lee Ann Hazi as Chairman. It also lists Christina E. Mackellar, David E. Bevins, David L. Pringle, Frank R. Bria, John J. Swanick, and Joseph S. Bielecki as National Directors.
GBU Foundation Inc is led by William W. Hunt, CEO & President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 8 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
William W. Hunt
CEO & President
CEO → CEO & President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lee Ann Hazi
Chairman
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christina E. Mackellar
National Director
Director → National Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David E. Bevins
National Director
Director → National Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David L. Pringle
National Director
Director → National Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph S. Bielecki
National Director
Director → National Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Frank R. Bria
National Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John J. Swanick
National Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Donna L. Brophy (2020–2024) — National Director -
- Former: John B. Schmotzer (2020–2024) — National Director -
- Former: Lea Ann Hazi (2020–2023) — Chairman
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about GBU Foundation Inc
How much does GBU Foundation Inc give each year?
GBU Foundation Inc gave $136K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $40K across 4 grants.
What is GBU Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
GBU Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $12,318, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does GBU Foundation Inc give grants?
GBU Foundation Inc gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 56% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Ohio (33%) and Michigan (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Pittsburgh, PA (3 grants).
Does GBU Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on GBU Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (11 grants).
Who are GBU Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
GBU Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include German American Festival ($40,000), The Education Partnership ($25,500) and Casey's Clubhouse ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 56% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is GBU Foundation Inc?
GBU Foundation Inc reported $4.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.2M.
What does GBU Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is “to help our donors achieve their philanthropic goals and potential.” Its community grant program supports organizations working in wellness, education, charitable giving, and hometown hero support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from GBU Foundation Inc?
For the 2026 community awards cycle, eligible organizations first needed a nomination from a GBU member or GBU Foundation donor. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is GBU Foundation Inc's EIN?
GBU Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-6076646. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). GBU Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/gbu-foundation-inc-morg_6644aeee37694e5fba02fb961fc69823
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_256076646_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{GBU Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/gbu-foundation-inc-morg_6644aeee37694e5fba02fb961fc69823},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from GBU Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
GBU Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?