Orris C&b Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Fd
The Orris C&B Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Foundation is a private charitable trust and family foundation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Established in 1956 by The Electric Materials Company, the foundation was named in honor of Orris C. Hirtzel (founder of the Electric Materials Company) and his wife, Beatrice Dewey Hirtzel. The foundation was originally created to provide scholarships to high school graduates but has expanded significantly over the decades to include graduate scholarships, medical research grants, and community grants.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$25.4M
-1.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.3M
+47.4% YoY
Grant Count
52
+4.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$25K
+41.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Orris C&b Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Fd reported a distributable amount of $1.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission reflects the philanthropic objectives of Philip D. Hirtzel, who led the organization from its inception. The foundation supports three primary grant categories:
- Educational Scholarships: Undergraduate scholarships and graduate-level health care-related scholarships for qualified individuals
- Medical Grants: Support for 501(c)(3) organizations funding healthcare services and scientific and medical research at colleges, universities, hospitals, and similar facilities
- Community Grants: Support for 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations and municipalities for projects including public parks, libraries, social and public services, local government enhancement, public school districts, historical preservation, private colleges and universities, and volunteer fire companies
The foundation's annual distribution is structured as approximately 25% scholarships, 55% health care/research/equipment grants, and 20% community grants.
Grantmaking
Review Cycle
. Interested applicants are advised to contact the foundation directly for current application procedures and requirements.
How to Apply
**: The foundation does not publicly specify application deadlines. Interested applicants are advised to contact the foundation directly for current application procedures and requirements.
Ready to take the next step with Orris C&b Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Fd?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation serves a defined geographic footprint:
Primary Resident Area (for scholarships and most grants):
- North East Borough, North East Township, Harborcreek Township, and Greenfield Township in Erie County, Pennsylvania
- Town of Ripley in Chautauqua County, New York
Extended Service Area (for medical research and healthcare grants):
- Western Pennsylvania
- Western New York
- Northern Ohio
Historical records also indicate support in California and Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: $25,363,730 (as of 2024)
Annual Giving: $1,296,679 (most recent reporting year)
Income: $10,470,256 (as of 2023)
The foundation is classified as an independent private foundation with EIN 25-6018933.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $25,363,730 | $25,608,787 | $25,130,725 |
| Revenue | $1,331,879 | $1,577,379 | $620,203 |
| Expenses | $1,538,260 | $1,114,290 | $1,533,844 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,410,392 | $983,456 | $1,359,137 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,211,597 | $1,473,778 | $513,159 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,425,499 | $1,264,601 | $1,294,802 |
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
233 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Lake Erie Research Institute ($320,000), The Sight Center of Northwest Pa ($175,000), Thiel College ($125,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BUFFALO STATE UNIVERSITY BUFFALO, NY | SCHOLARSHIP | $2,500 |
| PENN STATE BEHREND COLLEGE ERIE, PA | SCHOLARSHIP | $45,000 |
| SUNY - FREDONIA FREDONIA, NY | SCHOLARSHIP | $7,500 |
| NORTH EAST LITTLE LEAGUE NORTH EAST, PA | GENERAL OPERATING | $7,500 |
| NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY BOSTON, MA | SCHOLARSHIP | $5,000 |
| BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE BOSTON, MA | SCHOLARSHIP | $7,000 |
| INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PA INDIANA, PA | SCHOLARSHIP | $10,000 |
| EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY RICHMOND, KY | SCHOLARSHIP | $2,500 |
| FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY NEW YORK, NY | SCHOLARSHIP | $5,000 |
| SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY SYRACUSE, NY | SCHOLARSHIP | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founder: Philip D. Hirtzel, who funded the foundation and served as its guiding force until his death. Philip was the son of Orris C. Hirtzel and Beatrice Dewey Hirtzel.
The foundation is managed by a Board of Trustees composed of residents from the communities served. Board members are responsible for reviewing grant applications, approving scholarship grants, and awarding monies. A corporate trustee manages the foundation's investments but does not participate in grant review or award decisions.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PATRICIA CALLAN | TRUSTEE AND CHAIRMAN | 2 | — |
| DOUG SCEIFORD | TRUSTEE AND SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| ANN NECKERS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ROBERT JEFFERY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| BNY MELLON N A | TRUSTEE | 1 | $148,367 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Orris C&b Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Fd fund?
The foundation's mission reflects the philanthropic objectives of Philip D. Hirtzel, who led the organization from its inception. The foundation supports three primary grant categories: • **Educational Scholarships**: Undergraduate scholarships and graduate-level health care-related scholarships for qualified individuals • **Medical Grants**: Support for 501(c)(3) organizations funding healthcare services and scientific and medical research at colleges, universities, hospitals, and similar faci…
How do I apply for a grant from Orris C&b Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Fd?
**Grant Amounts**: Typical awards range from $2,500 to $320,000. **Scholarship Programs**: • Fifteen undergraduate scholarships awarded annually to high school seniors, with each installment of $2,500 per semester, renewable for up to eight semesters (4-year programs) or four semesters (2-year programs) contingent upon satisfactory academic performance • One specialized nursing scholarship awarded annually to a North East High School senior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with the sa…
Where does Orris C&b Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Fd make grants?
The foundation serves a defined geographic footprint: **Primary Resident Area** (for scholarships and most grants): • North East Borough, North East Township, Harborcreek Township, and Greenfield Township in Erie County, Pennsylvania • Town of Ripley in Chautauqua County, New York **Extended Service Area** (for medical research and healthcare grants): • Western Pennsylvania • Western New York • Northern Ohio Historical records also indicate support in California and Illinois.
What size grants does Orris C&b Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Fd award?
In 2024, Orris C&b Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Fd awarded 52 grants totaling $1.3M — an average of about $25K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Orris C&b Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Fd required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Orris C&b Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Fd reported a distributable amount of $1.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Orris C&b Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Fd's EIN?
Orris C&b Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Fd's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-6018933. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Orris C&b Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Fd's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Wolf Creek Operating Foundation
WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, PA
Assets
$7.1M
Grants
0
Total Given
—
The Best Little Cat House in PA
HARRISBURG, PA
Assets
$281K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Willis and Elsie Shenk Foundation
LANCASTER, PA
Assets
$9.4M
Grants
35
Total Given
$304K
The Irene P Sorbara Charitable Foundation
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$2.5M
Grants
2
Total Given
$131K
Howmet Aerospace Foundation
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$141.5M
Grants
209
Total Given
$8.4M
Penn and Lisa Seiple Conservancy
SUNBURY, PA
Assets
$1.5M
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Orris C&b Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Fd on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Orris C&b Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Fd to a real strategy.