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
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
No grants recorded for .
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
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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