The Grable Foundation
The Grable Foundation is a private foundation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It supports organizations and initiatives that improve children’s lives in the Pittsburgh region, including work in early learning, public education, out-of-school programs, and community resources.
The Grable Foundation at a glance
In short: The Grable Foundation gave $13.3M across 361 grants in 2024 (avg $37K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 20% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $13,310,832
- +7.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 361
- -1.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $36,872
- +8.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $350,392,836
- +7.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (58 of 289, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (89% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Grable Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It has no special application form; proposals may be submitted by letter and should identify a project or program aligned with an indicated field of interest. Requested materials include a one- or two-page proposal summary, information about the applicant, a statement of need, project description and rationale, qualifications of the organization and project staff, project and operating budgets, a sustainability plan, a board or advisor list, letters of support from the applicant’s board and collaborating organizations, and the organization’s IRS tax-exempt certification. The foundation does not consider requests on behalf of individuals or requests to conduit organizations that pass funds on to other organizations.
- Contact
Application contact: Gregg Behr
Mailing address: 436 Seventh Avenue Suite 2400, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: (412) 471-4550
Website: https://grablefdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Grable Foundation
Who The Grable Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Allegheny Intermediate Unit ($1.6M across 6 grants). Together the top 10 received $5.3M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($61,300), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,649 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,329 grants of 1,649 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 89% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania. Other recipient states and locations listed were North Carolina (5%), the District of Columbia (1%), Ohio (1%), and California (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 361 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Grable Foundation open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 58 of 289 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $33K; repeat grants $49K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 68% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−9%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $12.4M (2023) to $14.8M (2022). In 2024 it made 361 grants totaling $13.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Allegheny Intermediate Unit Homestead, PA | To support catalytic opportunities that will foster collaborative experimentation and connection, in the fields of maker education and learning more broadly | $1,000,000 |
| The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania Pittsburgh, PA | To support stronger partnerships among schools, parents, families, and caregivers | $410,160 |
| Allegheny Intermediate Unit Homestead, PA | To support the operations of a learning network that backs thousands of educators and innovators to advance relevant, engaging, and equitable learning in and out of school | $350,000 |
| Children's Museum of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | To support growth of a global showcase of innovative learning | $350,000 |
| Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | To support the creation of a new exhibition, natural wonder, for early learners and their families | $300,000 |
| Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | To support the creation of a new exhibition, natural wonder, for early learners and their families | $300,000 |
| SLB Radio Productions Inc Pittsburgh, PA | To support a multichannel media platform for parents and caregivers in the pittsburgh region | $260,000 |
| Pittsburgh Promise Foundation Pittsburgh, PA | To support higher education scholarships for students graduating from pittsburgh public schools | $250,000 |
| Pittsburgh Promise Foundation Pittsburgh, PA | To support higher education scholarships for students graduating from pittsburgh public schools | $250,000 |
| Allegheny Intermediate Unit Homestead, PA | To support a catalytic grant opportunity connected to aasas national summit in pittsburgh | $200,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Grable Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $350,392,836 | $24,026,032 | $17,880,332 | $13,310,832 | 361 | $16,826,877 | $22,313,821 | $16,703,426 |
| 2023 | $326,491,183 | $35,043,583 | $15,304,859 | $12,365,114 | 365 | $15,601,967 | $34,652,618 | $15,581,436 |
| 2022 | $328,042,437 | $9,531,881 | $18,676,995 | $14,810,403 | 326 | $17,862,023 | $9,373,277 | $17,717,997 |
| 2021 | $386,701,292 | $35,946,563 | $19,460,940 | $14,551,444 | 303 | $17,676,736 | $33,622,697 | $17,480,826 |
| 2020 | $358,499,381 | $19,933,401 | $13,986,836 | $12,638,600 | 294 | — | $18,966,134 | $15,622,778 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Grable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $16.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated focus includes early childhood, public education, out-of-school programs, and community resources. Its 2024 grants illustrate support for educational and family-oriented work. For example, Allegheny Intermediate Unit received grants for maker education and a learning network for educators and innovators; the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh received support for a learning showcase and an exhibition for young children and families; and SLB Radio Productions received support for a media platform for parents and caregivers.
Grantees describe a range of related work in their own missions. The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh says it provides innovative and inclusive museum experiences that inspire kindness, joy, creativity, and curiosity for all learners. Trying Together says it supports high-quality care and education for young children through advocacy, community resources, and professional growth opportunities. The Pittsburgh-based SLB Radio Productions says it uses audio programming to share the ideas, stories, and feelings of children and youth.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 361 grants totaling $13,310,832. Grants ranged from $2,000 to $1,000,000, with a median grant of $20,000. Recent giving was:
Notable 2024 grants included $1,000,000 to Allegheny Intermediate Unit for catalytic opportunities in maker education and learning; $410,160 to The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania for stronger partnerships among schools, parents, families, and caregivers; and $350,000 to the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh for growth of a global showcase of innovative learning. Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh received $300,000 for a new exhibition for early learners and their families. The Pittsburgh Promise Foundation received $250,000 for higher education scholarships for Pittsburgh Public Schools graduates.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Charles R Burke Jr as chairman and trustee; Jan Nicholson as president and trustee; Gregg Behr as executive director; and Nancy Foster as treasurer and trustee. It also lists Barbara McFadyen, Charles S Burke, William H Isler, Robert Ivry, Rachel Foust, and Peter Burke as trustees.
The Grable Foundation is led by Gregg Behr, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 10 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Gregg Behr
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$470K (2020) → $575K (2024)
Jan Nicholson
President & Trustee
President, Treasurer & Trustee → President & Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles R. Burke Jr.
Chairman & Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara McFadyen
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Ivry
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William H. Isler
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles S. Burke
Trustee
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter Burke
Trustee
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Foust
Trustee
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Foster
Treasurer & Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Susan Brownlee (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Patricia G. Burke (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $575K, to Gregg Behr (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Grable Foundation
How much does The Grable Foundation give each year?
The Grable Foundation gave $13.3M across 361 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $12.4M across 365 grants.
What is The Grable Foundation's typical grant size?
The Grable Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $36,872, across 361 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Grable Foundation that year got $33K on average.
Where does The Grable Foundation give grants?
The Grable Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Pittsburgh, PA (204 grants), Durham, NC (9 grants), Homestead, PA (8 grants) and Greensburg, PA (6 grants).
Does The Grable Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 4% of The Grable Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (15 of 361) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Grable Foundation's largest grantees?
The Grable Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Allegheny Intermediate Unit ($1,633,750 across 6 grants), Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh ($1,010,100 across 8 grants) and SLB Radio Productions Inc ($527,109 across 4 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($61,300), which are not listed by name. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Grable Foundation?
The Grable Foundation reported $350.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $16.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $16.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Grable Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated focus includes early childhood, public education, out-of-school programs, and community resources. Its 2024 grants illustrate support for educational and family-oriented work. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Grable Foundation?
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Grable Foundation's EIN?
The Grable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-1309888. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Grable Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Grable Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-grable-foundation-morg_1ffa59a3d97144d283926931a6060769
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_251309888_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Grable Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-grable-foundation-morg_1ffa59a3d97144d283926931a6060769},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Grable Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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