The Heinz Endowments is a private philanthropic foundation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Formed in 2007 through the merger of the Howard Heinz Endowment and the Vira I. Heinz Endowment, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and ranks among the 60 largest philanthropic organizations in the United States. The organization employs approximately 27-33 staff members and maintains a presence in the United States and United Kingdom.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.2B
+4.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$85.4M
+16.2% YoY
Grant Count
550
-10.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$155K
+30.4% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Heinz Endowments works to grow an exemplary, sustainable region where everyone prospers and belongs. The organization's mission centers on helping the Pittsburgh region thrive as a whole and just community, focusing on advancing sustainability, successful learning outcomes, and a culture of engaged creativity.
Primary funding areas include:
- Arts & Culture — Supporting high-quality arts, vibrant creativity-focused organizations, and well-designed public spaces that reflect southwestern Pennsylvania's diverse population and foster community belonging
- Civic Participation
- Climate, Environment & Health
- Community and Economic Development
- Food Systems
- Veterans
- Workforce Development
The organization emphasizes results-focused goals supported by reliable, region-wide data to measure impact and success.
Grantmaking
The Heinz Endowments distributes approximately $90 million in grants annually. Recent financial data shows total giving of $85-92 million, with grant distributions reaching $138 million in some reporting periods.
Review Cycle
are February 15 and July 15.
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Heinz Endowments concentrates its efforts and resources in southwestern Pennsylvania, with approximately 89% of grants staying within Pennsylvania. Although the majority of giving is concentrated within this region, the foundation works statewide and nationally where necessary to fulfill its mission. The foundation is generally unable to consider applications for projects outside Pennsylvania unless specifically requested.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Giving:
- Total assets: $2.1-2.2 billion (as of 2023-2024)
- Annual revenue: $65-93 million
- Total giving/distributions: $85-92 million annually
- Total liabilities: $30.2 million (2024)
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since November 1993
- EIN: 25-1721100
- Required to file IRS Form 990-PF
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,215,534,338 | $2,130,567,687 | $2,046,165,848 |
| Revenue | $105,097,047 | $93,890,340 | $120,446,355 |
| Expenses | $92,999,968 | $66,209,559 | $98,940,783 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $107,004,512 | $92,422,360 | $102,247,795 |
| Net Investment Income | $136,076,271 | $114,803,654 | $113,181,763 |
| Distributable Amount | $103,670,561 | $98,251,901 | $105,348,249 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Heinz Endowments
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include African American Cultural Center ($620,000), Achieva ($500,000), 1hood Media Academy ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1HOOD MEDIA ACADEMY PITTSBURGH, PA | TO IMPLEMENT A NON-PARTISAN VOTER INFORMATION AND ENGAGEMENT CAMPAIGN | $75,000 |
| 1HOOD MEDIA ACADEMY PITTSBURGH, PA | TO SPONSOR THE ANNUAL PITTSBURGH BUILDS BRIDGES DAY IN AUGUST 2024 | $5,000 |
| 1HOOD MEDIA ACADEMY PITTSBURGH, PA | TO PROVIDE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF BLACKPITTSBURGH.COM AND ITS NETWORK OF BLACK CONTENT CREATORS TO INFORM THE COMMUNITY OF EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT ISSUES, ARTS AND CULTURE, AND OTHER PERTINENT TOPICS | $125,000 |
| 1HOOD MEDIA ACADEMY PITTSBURGH, PA | FOR TWO YEAR CREATIVE LEARNING GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT (2024-2025) | $250,000 |
| 25 CARRICK AVE PROJECT PITTSBURGH, PA | FOR TWO YEAR CREATIVE LEARNING OPERATING AND PROJECT SUPPORT OF TECH25, A YOUTH EVENT PRODUCTION AND BROADCAST INDUSTRY TRAINING PROGRAM (2023-2025) | $40,000 |
| 412 JUSTICE - FORMERLY ONEPA EDUCATION FUND PITTSBURGH, PA | TO SPONSOR THE RISE UP DIRECT ACTION TRAINING ON FEBRUARY 17-18 2024 | $16,000 |
| 412 JUSTICE - FORMERLY ONEPA EDUCATION FUND PITTSBURGH, PA | TO SUPPORT 412 JUSTICE'S COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE THROUGH POLITICAL EDUCATION, VOTER MOBILIZATION AND EMPOWERING NEIGHBORS TO LEAD LASTING CHANGE IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY | $80,000 |
| 412 JUSTICE - FORMERLY ONEPA EDUCATION FUND PITTSBURGH, PA | TO SUPPORT COMMUNITIES DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS | $150,000 |
| 412 JUSTICE - FORMERLY ONEPA EDUCATION FUND PITTSBURGH, PA | TO SPONSOR THE RISE UP DIRECT ACTION TRAINING ON JULY 20-21, 2024 | $19,000 |
| 412 JUSTICE - FORMERLY ONEPA EDUCATION FUND PITTSBURGH, PA | FOR SPONSORSHIP OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CANDIDATE FORUM EVENT ON OCTOBER 30, 2024 | $22,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key leadership includes:
- Chris DeCardy — President
- Andre T. Heinz — Chair
- Teresa F. Heinz — Chair Emeritus
- Janet Sarbaugh — Vice President
- Jasmin Deforrest — Managing Director
- Nick Hoffman — Board Member
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANDRE T HEINZ | CHAIR | 3 | — |
| H JOHN HEINZ IV | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SASHA HEINZ UNTIL 062024 | DIRECTOR | 2 | $12,500 |
| TERESA F HEINZ | CHAIR EMERITUS | 2 | — |
| MARIA MARTEINSDOTTIR | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CAROLYN DURONIO | DIRECTOR | 2 | $30,000 |
| DAMON AHERNE | DIRECTOR | 2 | $30,000 |
| JARED L COHON UNTIL 032024 | DIRECTOR | 2 | $7,500 |
| JUDITH M DAVENPORT | DIRECTOR | 2 | $30,000 |
| MARK N HOFFMAN | DIRECTOR | 2 | $30,000 |
| MAXWELL KING | DIRECTOR | 2 | $30,000 |
| PATRICK GALLAGHER BEGIN 102024 | DIRECTOR | 2 | $7,500 |
| SAMEERA FAZILI BEGIN 102024 | DIRECTOR | 2 | $7,500 |
| SHIRLEY M MALCOM | DIRECTOR | 2 | $30,000 |
| WENDY MACKENZIE | DIRECTOR | 2 | $30,000 |
| CHRISTOPHER DECARDY | PRESIDENT | 50 | $847,847 |
| EDWARD F KOLANO | VICE PRESIDENT | 50 | $559,258 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grant announcements include:
$1.3 million grant to Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania for the creation of the Early Childhood Funders Alliance to improve systems, service delivery, and policies impacting young children in Allegheny County (2023)
The Heinz Endowments Awards $1 Million Grant to Advance Health Equity for\$500,000 grant to Achieva
Achieva Receives $500,000 Grant from The Heinz Endowments$1 million grant to UPMC Children's Hospital Foundation to advance health equity for children and families
The Heinz Endowments Awards $1 Million Grant to Advance Health Equity for\The organization publishes "h" magazine, with 9,000 print copies plus web access highlighting issues of public interest. The Heinz Endowments also supports the Pittsburgh Readiness Institute, an education initiative that prepares youth and young adults for careers.
Achieva Receives $500,000 Grant from The Heinz EndowmentsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Heinz Endowments fund?
The Heinz Endowments works to grow an exemplary, sustainable region where everyone prospers and belongs. The organization's mission centers on helping the Pittsburgh region thrive as a whole and just community, focusing on advancing sustainability, successful learning outcomes, and a culture of engaged creativity. Primary funding areas include: • **Arts & Culture** — Supporting high-quality arts, vibrant creativity-focused organizations, and well-designed public spaces that reflect southwestern…
How do I apply for a grant from The Heinz Endowments?
The Heinz Endowments distributes approximately $90 million in grants annually. Recent financial data shows total giving of $85-92 million, with grant distributions reaching $138 million in some reporting periods. **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $1,000 to $6,043,000 • Median grant amount: $55,000 • Recent grants include $1.3 million to Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania for the Early Childhood Funders Alliance, $500,000 to Achieva, and $1 million to UPMC Children's Hospital Fo…
Where does The Heinz Endowments make grants?
The Heinz Endowments concentrates its efforts and resources in southwestern Pennsylvania, with approximately 89% of grants staying within Pennsylvania. Although the majority of giving is concentrated within this region, the foundation works statewide and nationally where necessary to fulfill its mission. The foundation is generally unable to consider applications for projects outside Pennsylvania unless specifically requested.
What size grants does The Heinz Endowments award?
In 2024, The Heinz Endowments awarded 550 grants totaling $85.4M — an average of about $155K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Heinz Endowments required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Heinz Endowments reported a distributable amount of $103.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Heinz Endowments's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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