The Heinz Endowments
The Heinz Endowments is a private foundation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Established in 2007 through the consolidation of two Heinz family foundations, it focuses its grantmaking primarily on southwestern Pennsylvania while maintaining a global perspective.
The Heinz Endowments at a glance
In short: The Heinz Endowments gave $85.4M across 550 grants in 2024 (avg $155K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 18% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $85,448,661
- +16.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 550
- -10.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $155,361
- +30.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $70,000
- Total assets
- $2,215,534,338
- +4.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (65 of 365, 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 Heinz Endowments
- How to Apply
-
Applicants begin with a short letter of inquiry (LOI); LOIs are accepted on a rolling basis, and the Endowments aims to respond within 45 days. If an LOI is approved, the organization is invited to submit a general application. First-time applicants should begin with an LOI; an LOI may be skipped if staff have instructed an organization to submit a general application. Applicants should review the program strategies and eligibility requirements before applying. The Endowments generally cannot consider projects outside Pennsylvania unless they are specifically requested by the foundation or expressly benefit residents of southwestern Pennsylvania or the state.
- Review Cycle
- The filing lists February 15 for the spring board meeting and July 15 for the fall board meeting. LOIs are accepted on a rolling basis.
- Deadline
- The filing lists February 15 for the spring board meeting and July 15 for the fall board meeting.
- Contact
Application contact: The Heinz Endowments Online Grant A
Mailing address: 625 Liberty Avenue 30Th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: (412) 281-5777
Email: grants@heinz.org
Website: https://heinz.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 Heinz Endowments
Who The Heinz Endowments funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Pittsburgh Trust for Cultural Resources ($15.4M across 6 grants). Together the top 10 received $33.0M.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($46,244), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
3,040 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,152 grants of 3,040 (38%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Endowments concentrates its efforts and resources in southwestern Pennsylvania. It is generally unable to consider applications for projects outside Pennsylvania, subject to the exceptions described above. In 2024, 89% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania; 2% each went to recipients in Washington, D.C., New York and California, and 1% to Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 550 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Heinz Endowments open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 65 of 365 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $159K; repeat grants $250K. How we count
Medians: $75K first-time, $100K repeat.
- 70% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+18%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 103% 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 $64.9M (2020) to $85.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 550 grants totaling $85.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Trust for Cultural Resources Pittsburgh, PA | To support renovations to the allegheny riverfront park, katz plaza and byham theater and other properties as needed | $6,043,000 |
| Pittsburgh Trust for Cultural Resources Pittsburgh, PA | To support renovations to the allegheny riverfront park, katz plaza and byham theater and other properties as needed | $5,000,000 |
| Pittsburgh Trust for Cultural Resources Pittsburgh, PA | To support renovations to the allegheny riverfront park, katz plaza and byham theater and other properties as needed | $3,500,000 |
| Sarah Heinz House Association Pittsburgh, PA | To Support Capital Improvements for the Northside Facility | $1,800,000 |
| Energy Development Authority Harrisburg, PA | To support a novel financing program to support solar energy projects at school districts in western Pennsylvania | $1,500,000 |
| Sarah Heinz House Association Pittsburgh, PA | To support the sarah heinz house association with continued operating support and enhancements to achieve expanded reach of service to engage new community members | $1,250,000 |
| Carnegie Institute Pittsburgh, PA | To support carnegie museums' comprehensive campaign including the warhol museum and the president's momentum fund | $1,000,000 |
| County of Allegheny Through Its Department of Human Services Pittsburgh, PA | To support services designed to keep people without permanent housing safe and help individuals move from shelter to more permanent housing | $1,000,000 |
| Pittsburgh Symphony Inc Pittsburgh, PA | To Address PSO Pension Obligations | $1,000,000 |
| Riverlife Pittsburgh, PA | To advance transformative efforts around the west end bridge that will eliminate major gaps in trail access to connect half of the city to riverfront parks & trails | $1,000,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Heinz Endowments?
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 | $2,215,534,338 | $105,097,047 | $92,999,968 | $85,448,661 | 550 | $107,004,512 | $136,076,271 | $103,670,561 |
| 2023 | $2,130,567,687 | $93,890,340 | $66,209,559 | $73,517,264 | 617 | $92,422,360 | $114,803,654 | $98,251,901 |
| 2022 | $2,046,165,848 | $120,446,355 | $98,940,783 | $83,246,175 | 630 | $102,247,795 | $113,181,763 | $105,348,249 |
| 2021 | $2,471,712,985 | $247,376,073 | $93,650,730 | $72,393,198 | 586 | $93,125,818 | $273,260,526 | $104,899,868 |
| 2020 | $2,042,227,352 | $54,378,087 | $108,573,174 | $64,940,006 | 657 | — | $96,255,720 | $83,849,280 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Heinz Endowments reported a distributable amount of $103.7M 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 Endowments describes its purpose as investing in bold solutions to strengthen a more durable, whole and just community. Its seven priority areas are Arts & Culture; Civic Participation; Climate, Environment & Health; Community & Economic Development; Food Systems; Veterans; and Workforce.
It funds organizations classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) and as public charities under Section 509(a); federally tax-exempt organizations and government entities may also apply. Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible. Fiscal sponsors may apply for charitable activities carried out by nonexempt groups or individuals, provided the sponsor exercises appropriate discretion, control and oversight.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of work represented in its grants. The Sarah Heinz House Association describes itself as a community resource offering local adults and youth educational, social, health and fitness opportunities. Riverlife says its mission is to create, activate and celebrate Pittsburgh’s riverfronts. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra says it engages, enriches and inspires through live musical experiences. Carnegie Institute describes its mission as preserving and expanding art and science as agents of personal growth and social advancement.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Endowments made 550 grants totaling $85,448,661. Grants ranged from $1,500 to $6,043,000, with a median award of $70,000.
Notable 2024 grants included $6,043,000, $5,000,000 and $3,500,000 to Pittsburgh Trust for Cultural Resources for renovations to Allegheny Riverfront Park, Katz Plaza, Byham Theater and other properties as needed. Other awards included $1,800,000 to Sarah Heinz House Association for capital improvements; $1,500,000 to Energy Development Authority for a solar-project financing program at school districts in western Pennsylvania; and $1,000,000 each to Carnegie Institute, Allegheny County’s Department of Human Services, Pittsburgh Symphony Inc and Riverlife, among others.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Andre T. Heinz as chair and Teresa F. Heinz as chair emeritus. Directors listed include H. John Heinz IV, Sasha Heinz (through June 2024), Maria Marteinsdottir, Carolyn Duronio, Damon Aherne, Jared L. Cohon (through March 2024), Judith M. Davenport and Mark N. Hoffman.
The Heinz Endowments is led by Christopher Decardy, President on the 2024 filing; 11 of 15 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Christopher Decardy
President
New on the 2024 filing
50 hrs/week
$848K (2024)
Andre T. Heinz
Chair
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carolyn Duronio
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $30K (2024)
Damon Aherne
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $30K (2024)
Judith M. Davenport
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $30K (2024)
Mark N. Hoffman
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $30K (2024)
Shirley M. Malcom
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $30K (2024)
Wendy Mackenzie
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $30K (2024)
Maxwell King
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$30K (2024)
Patrick Gallagher Begin
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$8K (2024)
Sameera Fazili Begin
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$8K (2024)
H. John Heinz IV
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maria Marteinsdottir
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edward F. Kolano
Vice President
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$446K (2020) → $559K (2024)
Teresa F. Heinz
Chair Emeritus
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Jared L. Cohon (2020–2024) — Director · Filing note: Until 032024
- Former: Sasha Heinz (2020–2024) — Director · Filing note: Until 062024
- Former: Carol R. Brown (2020–2023) — Director · Filing note: Until 2723
- Former: James Rohr (2020–2023) — Director · Filing note: Until 2723
- Former: Andrew S. McElwaine (2022–2023) — Interim Executive Officer · Filing note: Until 33123
- Former: Christopher Decardy Begin (2023) — President
- Former: Maxwell King Begin (2023) — Director
- Former: Franco Harris (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Grant Oliphant - See Stmt (2022) — President
- Former: Grant Oliphant (2020–2021) — President
- Former: James M. Walton (2020) — Vice Chair Emeritus
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 $848K, to Christopher Decardy (President). 13 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Heinz Endowments
How much does The Heinz Endowments give each year?
The Heinz Endowments gave $85.4M across 550 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $73.5M across 617 grants.
What is The Heinz Endowments's typical grant size?
The Heinz Endowments's median grant in 2024 was $70,000, and its average grant was $155,361, across 550 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Heinz Endowments that year got $159K on average.
Where does The Heinz Endowments give grants?
The Heinz Endowments 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 (324 grants), Johnstown, PA (23 grants), Washington, DC (23 grants) and Philadelphia, PA (18 grants).
Does The Heinz Endowments give general operating support?
Yes: 10% of The Heinz Endowments's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (53 of 550) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "To Support Programming and Operations for One Year" (10 grants), "For 2024 Membership Dues" (7 grants) and "For 2025 Membership Dues" (4 grants).
Who are The Heinz Endowments's largest grantees?
The Heinz Endowments's largest 2024 grantees include Pittsburgh Trust for Cultural Resources ($15,433,000 across 6 grants), Community Foundation of Greater Johnstown ($3,254,700 across 18 grants) and Sarah Heinz House Association ($3,050,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($46,244), which are not listed by name. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Heinz Endowments?
The Heinz Endowments reported $2.2B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $107.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $103.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Heinz Endowments fund?
The Endowments describes its purpose as investing in bold solutions to strengthen a more durable, whole and just community. Its seven priority areas are Arts & Culture; Civic Participation; Climate, Environment & Health; Community & Economic Development; Food Systems; Veterans; and Workforce. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Heinz Endowments?
Applicants begin with a short letter of inquiry (LOI); LOIs are accepted on a rolling basis, and the Endowments aims to respond within 45 days. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Heinz Endowments's EIN?
The Heinz Endowments's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-1721100. 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 Heinz Endowments's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Heinz Endowments funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-heinz-endowments-morg_39dde2b6a68e4b3287585f730ec66f2b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_251721100_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Heinz Endowments funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-heinz-endowments-morg_39dde2b6a68e4b3287585f730ec66f2b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Heinz Endowments'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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