The Highmark Foundation is a private, charitable 501(c)(3) foundation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, established in May 2001. Connected to Highmark Inc., the foundation is dedicated to improving health, well-being, and quality of life in communities served by Highmark Health and its subsidiaries and affiliates. The foundation has been a catalyst for community and family health throughout western and central Pennsylvania as well as West Virginia.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$100.9M
-13.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$18.7M
+35.7% YoY
Grant Count
313
+160.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$60K
-48.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Highmark Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Highmark Foundation seeks to create a remarkable health experience and envision a world where everyone embraces health. The foundation awards grants and funding in three broad priority areas:
Chronic Disease: Evidence-based prevention programs and interventions addressing heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, arthritis, kidney disease, HIV/AIDS, and related conditions through physical activity, nutrition, and other preventive initiatives.
Family Health: A broad range of issues impacting the family unit.
Service Delivery Systems: Programs that strengthen healthcare delivery infrastructure.
The foundation defines health broadly to include social, behavioral, and other dimensions beyond illness or disease. It prioritizes evidence-based initiatives that demonstrate potential for wide-reaching impact, foster long-term sustainable models, and encourage community partnerships.
Grantmaking
The foundation supports evidence-based demonstrations, pilot projects, model programs, expansion plans, and well-established initiatives. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations defined as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and as public charities under section 509(a) of the code.
Grant Types
How to Apply
The foundation approaches grantmaking proactively and uses research to identify areas of need. Grantmaking is performed primarily through:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds initiatives in western and central Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Its grantmaking also extends to New York and Delaware, with support for national organizations seeking to fund local programs within the foundation's service area.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $100,860,741
- Total Revenue: $3,224,664
- Total Expenses: $18,893,955
- Total Giving: $18,679,782
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $116,000,000
- Total Revenue: $2,760,000
- Total Expenses: $13,900,000
The foundation maintains significant assets while directing substantial resources toward its grantmaking mission.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $100,860,741 | $116,255,484 | $126,514,361 |
| Revenue | $3,224,664 | $2,755,132 | $5,969,409 |
| Expenses | $18,893,955 | $13,944,089 | $14,766,168 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $18,866,925 | $13,923,381 | $14,757,790 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,059,229 | $1,573,801 | $716,641 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,437,485 | $2,273,819 | $1,314,886 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Highmark Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include New York University College of Dentistry ($176,300), TeamSmile Inc ($110,000), Howard University ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A Call to Care Pittsburgh, PA | FREE DENTAL, VISION AND HEARING CARE TO THE UNDERSERVED DURING THE MISSION OF MERCY PITTSBURGH EVENT, NOVEMBER 1-2, 2024. | $25,000 |
| America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia Inc Savannah, GA | FOOD BANK SUPPORT TO HELP IMPROVE THE TOTAL HEALTH OF THE UNDERSERVED. | $5,000 |
| Asbury First United Methodist Church Rochester, NY | MULTI-YEAR GRANT (2024-2027) TO ESTABLISH A DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SERVICES POSITION TO PLAN AND IMPLEMENT THE EXPANSION AND INTEGRATION OF ASBURY FIRST'S UR WELL MEDICAL SERVICES TO INCLUDE DENTAL SERVICES TO DELIVER HEALTH CARE TO VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. | $70,000 |
| California CareForce Roseville, CA | FREE DENTAL SERVICES TO AN ESTIMATED 5,000 DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN, THEIR FAMILIES, SENIORS, AND VETERANS AT 4 HEALTHCARE CLINICS IN CALIFORNIA IN 2024. | $50,000 |
| Chesapeake Care Inc Chesapeake, VA | TO EXPAND DENTAL SERVICES TO INCLUDE ENDODONTIC THERAPY AND PROSTHODONTIC CROWNS FOR PATIENTS IN NEED. | $35,000 |
| Colorado Mission of Mercy (COMOM) Greeley, CO | FREE DENTAL CARE TO UNDERSERVED PATIENTS AT THE ANNUAL COLORADO MISSION OF MERCY FREE DENTAL CLINIC BEING HELD SEPTEMBER 27-28, 2024 IN THORNTON, CO. | $25,000 |
| Community College of Denver Foundation Denver, CO | DENTAL HYGIENE SCHOLARSHIPS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS PURSING THEIR EDUCATION IN THE DENTAL FIELD. | $6,000 |
| Community College of Philadelphia Foundation Philadelphia, PA | DENTAL HYGIENE SCHOLARSHIPS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS PURSING THEIR EDUCATION IN THE DENTAL FIELD. | $12,000 |
| DDD Foundation Inc Brookhaven, GA | TO INCREASE ACCESS TO ORAL CARE THROUGH THE HIRING OF A HOSPITAL DENTIST AND A PEDIATRIC DENTIST TO PROVIDE SPECIALIZED CARE TO ADULTS AND CHILDREN WITH SEVERE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. | $50,000 |
| Division of Dental Hygiene University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM | DENTAL HYGIENE SCHOLARSHIPS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS PURSING THEIR EDUCATION IN THE DENTAL FIELD. | $6,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Kenya T. Boswell: President (appointed April 2025)
- Daniel A. Onorato: Director/Chairperson
- Yvonne C. Cook: President (prior to April 2025)
- Emily Mashore: Media Contact
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**March 2026**: Announced a new $1 million grant to expand the existing Food for Mountaineers program.
Highmark Foundation continues support with new $1 million grant to ...**September 2025**: The Highmark Bright Blue Futures Awards program granted over half a million dollars to nonprofit organizations expanding access to health care across Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, and Delaware.
Highmark Foundation continues support with new $1 million grant to ...**April 2025**: Kenya T. Boswell named president of the Highmark Foundation.
**February 2025**: Foundation announced plans to award up to $500,000 in grants to support K-12 school health initiatives.
Highmark Foundation continues support with new $1 million grant to ...**December 2024**: The Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health awarded nearly $265,000 in grants, advancing health equity across the state.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Highmark Foundation fund?
The Highmark Foundation seeks to create a remarkable health experience and envision a world where everyone embraces health. The foundation awards grants and funding in three broad priority areas: • **Chronic Disease**: Evidence-based prevention programs and interventions addressing heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, arthritis, kidney disease, HIV/AIDS, and related conditions through physical activity, nutrition, and other preventive initiatives. • **Family Health**: A broa…
How do I apply for a grant from Highmark Foundation?
The foundation supports evidence-based demonstrations, pilot projects, model programs, expansion plans, and well-established initiatives. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations defined as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and as public charities under section 509(a) of the code. The foundation has awarded grants to hospitals, community health centers, health service organizations, local community groups, and government agencies committed to building st…
Where does Highmark Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds initiatives in western and central Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Its grantmaking also extends to New York and Delaware, with support for national organizations seeking to fund local programs within the foundation's service area.
What size grants does Highmark Foundation award?
In 2024, Highmark Foundation awarded 313 grants totaling $18.7M — an average of about $60K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Highmark Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Highmark Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Highmark Foundation's EIN?
Highmark Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-1876666. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Highmark Foundation'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.
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