The Birmingham Foundation
The Birmingham Foundation is a Pittsburgh-based, independent, community-focused foundation that supports early childhood education and development in South Pittsburgh. Its mission centers on helping children from birth to age eight and their families thrive through grantmaking, information-sharing, partnerships, and leveraging resources.
Key facts about The Birmingham Foundation
In short: The Birmingham Foundation gave $1.2M across 37 grants in 2025 (avg $33K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 17% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 25-0965572
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,210,767
- Grants made (2025)
- 37
- Average grant
- $32,723
- Median grant
- $30,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (5 of 30, 2025)
- Total assets
- $25,028,018
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation uses a grant software process. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- Fall 2026 applications are scheduled for October 5–19, 2026.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; 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.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$25.0M
+2.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.2M
-15.1% YoY
Grant Count
37
-9.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$33K
-5.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Birmingham Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is The Birmingham Foundation open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 30 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $33K; repeat grants $42K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $38K repeat.
- 60% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−6%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 144% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports organizations working to help South Pittsburgh children from birth to age eight and their families thrive. Its three focus areas are Maternal and Child Health (prenatal to age three), Early Care and Education (birth to age eight), and Parent and Family Wellbeing. Examples listed in its guidelines include prenatal and postnatal care, home visiting, developmental screenings and early intervention, quality early learning, family engagement, access to services, and social and emotional wellbeing supports.
Grantees’ own mission statements illustrate the kinds of organizations it has supported. Hilltop Community Children’s Center says it provides a safe, nurturing, educational environment for children while their parents work, attend school, or participate in job training. Reading Is Fundamental Pittsburgh says it provides children with books, resources, motivation, and opportunities to develop a lifelong love of reading. Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy says it improves quality of life by enhancing and stewarding Pittsburgh’s parks in partnership with the community.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 37 grants totaling **$1,210,767**. Grants ranged from **$5,000 to $125,000**, with a median of **$30,000**. Its website says most awards are generally in the **$5,000–$50,000** range.
Review Cycle
, spring and fall. Its posted schedule says **Fall 2026 is by invitation only**, with applications scheduled to open October 5 and close October 19, 2026. For **Spring 2027**, letters of intent are scheduled for March 8–22, 2027, followed by applications April 9–19, 2027. Applicants begin with a letter of intent when required and use the foundation’s grant process. Applicants must qualify as a public charity for 501(c)(3) tax exemption and operate within the foundation’s geographic focus. Grants are awarded year to year; grants are not normally made for deficits, fundraising, religious activities, efforts to influence legislation, campaigns, general research, scholarships, political campaigns, or loans.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Birmingham Foundation
Ready to take the next step with The Birmingham Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s service area is South Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, covering ZIP codes 15203, 15210, and 15211. Its listed target neighborhoods are Allentown, Arlington, Arlington Heights, Beltzhoover, Bon Air, Carrick, Duquesne Heights, Knoxville, Mt. Oliver, Mt. Washington, St. Clair Village, and South Side.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 37 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
Cities
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
193 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BRASHEAR ASSOCIATION INC Pittsburgh, PA | FALL 2024 HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE | $125,000 |
| LIGHTHOUSE MEMORIAL CHRISTIAN CENTER Pittsburgh, PA | 2025 SPRING PROGRAM GRANT | $60,000 |
| VOICES AGAINST VIOLENCE Pittsburgh, PA | WAVY'S WORLD SUMMER EXPERIENCE - PD TO HILLTOP ALLIANCE | $60,000 |
| HILLTOP COMMUNITY CHILDREN'S CENTER Pittsburgh, PA | OPERATING GRANT | $50,000 |
| HELLO NEIGHBOR Pittsburgh, PA | FALL 2024 GRANT - SMART START | $50,000 |
| PITTSBURGH PARKS CONSERVANCY Pittsburgh, PA | PROMOTING NATURE FOCUSED LEARNING & WELLNESS | $50,000 |
| HILLTOP COMMUNITY CHILDREN'S CENTER Pittsburgh, PA | OFF-CYCLE GRANT | $50,000 |
| HELLO NEIGHBOR Pittsburgh, PA | EMPOWERMENT GIVING - LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION PILOT | $50,000 |
| LITERACY PITTSBURGH Pittsburgh, PA | AN INVESTMENT IN S PGH HILLTOP FAMILIES | $50,000 |
| A SCHOOLS Pittsburgh, PA | CIRCLE OUR SCHOOLS | $50,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $25,028,018 | $1,309,270 | $1,803,022 | $1,210,767 (37 grants) |
| 2024 | $24,310,952 | $1,339,913 | $1,979,071 | $1,425,702 (41 grants) |
| 2023 | $22,265,483 | $558,615 | $1,686,721 | $1,190,149 (44 grants) |
The filing type is 990T.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $25,028,018 | $24,310,952 | $22,265,483 |
| Revenue | $1,309,270 | $1,339,913 | $558,615 |
| Expenses | $1,803,022 | $1,979,071 | $1,686,721 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,591,169 | $1,780,212 | $1,577,250 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,043,754 | $701,361 | $480,227 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,104,551 | $1,035,992 | $973,236 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Amy Nevin MD, Anne Marie Toccket, Beth Marcello, Betty Kripp, Carey A Harris, Kenneth McCrory CPA, and Maurita Bryant as directors. It lists Mark Bibro as treasurer, Eileen O Smith as secretary, and Duane W Swager II as assistant treasurer.
The Birmingham Foundation is led by Michelle Figlar, Executive Director since 2023 (on filings since 2021); 1 of 19 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Michelle Figlar
Executive Director
Director → Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$62K (2023) → $210K (2025)
Terrence Wirginis
Chairman
President → Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Beth Marcello
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Betty Kripp
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carey A. Harris
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth McCrory CPA
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maurita Bryant
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Prince Matthews
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tara Matthews
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicholas Kennedy
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Siefken
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Nevin MD
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anne Marie Toccket
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Vinciguerra Msw Mid
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Serafina Lanna
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark S. Bibro
Treasurer
Executive Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
$135K (2021) → $0 (2025)
Duane W. Swager II
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eileen O. Smith
Secretary
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William T. Simmons Esq.
Vice Chair
Vice President → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Rachel Vinciguerra (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Jack Simmons (2023) — Director
- Former: H. Don Gordon (2021–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Max Harleman (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Hugo Churchill (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
Contact
Mailing address: 320 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15210
Phone: (412) 481-2777
Website: https://birminghamfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about The Birmingham Foundation
How much does The Birmingham Foundation give each year?
The Birmingham Foundation gave $1.2M across 37 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.4M across 41 grants.
What is The Birmingham Foundation's typical grant size?
The Birmingham Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $30,000, and its average grant was $32,723, across 37 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Birmingham Foundation that year got $33K on average.
Where does The Birmingham Foundation give grants?
The Birmingham Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Pittsburgh, PA (33 grants).
Does The Birmingham Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 3% of The Birmingham Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 37) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Birmingham Foundation's largest grantees?
The Birmingham Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Brashear Association Inc ($125,000), Hilltop Community Children's Center ($100,000 across 2 grants) and Hello Neighbor ($100,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Birmingham Foundation?
The Birmingham Foundation reported $25.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Birmingham Foundation fund?
The foundation supports organizations working to help South Pittsburgh children from birth to age eight and their families thrive. Its three focus areas are **Maternal and Child Health (prenatal to age three)**, **Early Care and Education (birth to age eight)**, and **Parent and Family Wellbeing**. Examples listed in its guidelines include prenatal and postnatal care, home visiting, developmental screenings and early intervention, quality early learning, family engagement, access to services, a…
How do I apply for a grant from The Birmingham Foundation?
The foundation uses a grant software process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Birmingham Foundation's EIN?
The Birmingham Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-0965572. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching The Birmingham Foundation by hand.
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