Opportunity Foundation
Opportunity Foundation is a private foundation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awards grants to small- and midsize arts organizations and to organizations and initiatives advancing social and economic justice.
Key facts about Opportunity Foundation
In short: Opportunity Foundation gave $2.4M across 156 grants in 2024 (avg $16K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 33% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 38-7132674
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,440,750
- Grants made (2024)
- 156
- Average grant
- $15,646
- Median grant
- $15,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (52 of 156, 2024)
- Total assets
- $41,439,239
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (88% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The website describes a two-step online application process: applicants submit an Initial Application and, if invited, a Full Application. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The website lists two 2026 cycles.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Quick answers about Opportunity Foundation
How much does Opportunity Foundation give each year?
Opportunity Foundation gave $2.4M across 156 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.3M across 158 grants.
What is Opportunity Foundation's typical grant size?
Opportunity Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $15,646, across 156 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Opportunity Foundation that year got $14K on average.
Where does Opportunity Foundation give grants?
Opportunity Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Pittsburgh, PA (112 grants), Philadelphia, PA (5 grants), New York, NY (4 grants) and Wilkinsburg, PA (3 grants).
Does Opportunity Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 156 grants with a stated purpose on Opportunity Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (154 grants).
Who are Opportunity Foundation's largest grantees?
Opportunity Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Founders First CDC ($150,000), Dreams of Hope ($137,500) and New Sun Rising ($57,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Is Opportunity Foundation open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 52 of 156 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $14K; repeat grants $17K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 55% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+3%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 110% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Opportunity Foundation
- How to evaluate Opportunity Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to Opportunity Foundation with AI
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$41.4M
+0.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.4M
+6.7% YoY
Grant Count
156
-1.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$16K
+8.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Opportunity Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The funder’s mission is to support small- to midsize arts organizations and organizations and initiatives that advance social and economic justice. Its arts interests include theatre, dance, classical chamber music, jazz, and craft. Its justice focus includes racial justice, Black-led movement work, civil liberties and civil rights—with special interest in Black and LGBTQ+ people—as well as human rights, reproductive freedom, social services, housing, healthcare, and other safety-net resources.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of its grantmaking. Dreams of Hope describes its work as using creative expression and multidisciplinary arts to connect people and build awareness and acceptance. New Sun Rising says it works to build vibrant communities through culture, sustainability, and opportunity. CASA San Jose describes itself as a community resource center that advocates for and empowers Latinos, while Sisters PGH says it offers transgender education, advocacy, and emergency housing and shelter. In the arts, Chamber Music Pittsburgh says it presents chamber music and offers educational programs and experiences.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation made 156 grants totaling $2,440,750. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $150,000, with a median of $15,000. Notable grants included $150,000 to Founders First CDC; $137,500 to Dreams of Hope; $57,500 to New Sun Rising; $42,500 to Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation; and $35,000 each to Abolitionist Law Center, CASA San Jose, and Sisters PGH.
Review Cycle
** The website lists two 2026 cycles. Cycle 1 Initial Applications are due January 15, 2026; invited Full Applications are due March 6, with award notification in May. Cycle 2 Initial Applications are due July 15, 2026; invited Full Applications are due September 11, with award notification in October.
How to Apply
applicants submit an Initial Application and, if invited, a Full Application. It does not accept mailed letters or paper applications, and applicants may submit a 2–3 minute video for the Initial Application narrative. The 2024 filing lists a letter of request from an exempt organization as the application material and states there are no award restrictions. The website says applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or certain governmental entities; groups without 501(c)(3) status may apply through a fiscal sponsor.
Ready to take the next step with Opportunity Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that at least 75% of its grants are awarded to projects benefiting the Greater Pittsburgh community, which it defines as Allegheny County and its surrounding area. Its website reports that $17,230,950 of $18,690,750 in grants benefited Pittsburgh initiatives. In 2024, 88% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania, 7% to California, 3% to New York, and 1% to North Carolina; Illinois accounted for 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 156 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $41,439,239 | $3,005,699 | $3,284,790 | $2,440,750 | 156 |
| 2023 | $41,375,340 | $2,791,713 | $3,052,772 | $2,287,869 | 158 |
| 2022 | $42,818,662 | $2,929,012 | $3,312,420 | $2,506,879 | 173 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $41,439,239 | $41,375,340 | $42,818,662 |
| Revenue | $3,005,699 | $2,791,713 | $2,929,012 |
| Expenses | $3,284,790 | $3,052,772 | $3,312,420 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,954,369 | $2,699,741 | $2,739,456 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,909,031 | $2,698,907 | $2,806,372 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,679,590 | $2,488,130 | $2,364,299 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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
668 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Opportunity Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FOUNDERS FIRST CDC San Diego, CA | CHARITABLE | $150,000 |
| DREAMS OF HOPE Pittsburgh, PA | CHARITABLE | $137,500 |
| NEW SUN RISING Pittsburgh, PA | CHARITABLE | $57,500 |
| BLOOMFIELD-GARFIELD CORPORATION Pittsburgh, PA | CHARITABLE | $42,500 |
| COMMUNITY THEATER PROJECT CORPORATIONTHE KELLY STRAYHORN THEATER Pittsburgh, PA | CHARITABLE | $41,000 |
| ABOLITIONIST LAW CENTER Pittsburgh, PA | CHARITABLE | $35,000 |
| CASA SAN JOSE Pittsburgh, PA | CHARITABLE | $35,000 |
| SISTERS PGH Pittsburgh, PA | CHARITABLE | $35,000 |
| SHIFTWORKS Pittsburgh, PA | CHARITABLE | $30,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH Pittsburgh, PA | CHARITABLE | $30,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists IDY GOODMAN as trustee; JACOB GOODMAN as executive director; and DANA BISHOP-ROOT, ALISHA WORMSLEY, MARGE PETRUSA, MICHAEL TIKILI, and MEDINA JACKSON as directors.
Opportunity Foundation is led by Jacob Goodman, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jacob Goodman
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$135K (2021) → $178K (2024)
Dana Bishop-Root
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Idy Goodman
Trustee
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marge Petrusa
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Tikili
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alisha Wormsley
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Medina Jackson
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: James Hough (2021–2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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
Contact
Application contact: Jacob Goodman
Mailing address: 5126 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Phone: (412) 362-1300
Email: jgoodman@theopportunityfund.org
Website: https://theopportunityfund.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Opportunity Foundation fund?
The funder’s mission is to support small- to midsize arts organizations and organizations and initiatives that advance social and economic justice. Its arts interests include theatre, dance, classical chamber music, jazz, and craft. Its justice focus includes racial justice, Black-led movement work, civil liberties and civil rights—with special interest in Black and LGBTQ+ people—as well as human rights, reproductive freedom, social services, housing, healthcare, and other safety-net resources.…
How do I apply for a grant from Opportunity Foundation?
The website describes a two-step online application process: applicants submit an Initial Application and, if invited, a Full Application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Opportunity Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Opportunity Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Opportunity Foundation's EIN?
Opportunity Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-7132674. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Opportunity Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.