The Peirce Family Foundation Inc
The Peirce Family Foundation Inc is a private foundation established in 1997 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a grantmaking foundation focused on philanthropic giving to nonprofits across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$18.8M
-7.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.4M
+10.6% YoY
Grant Count
37
-7.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$65K
+19.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Peirce Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding interests include:
- Education
- Science and STEM education
- Human Services
- Philanthropy and voluntarism
- Dyslexia education and support programs
Grantmaking
The foundation has demonstrated significant commitment to dyslexia education initiatives, with multiple transformational gifts to support educational programs in this area.
Ready to take the next step with The Peirce Family Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Pennsylvania
- Florida
- Washington
With particular concentration in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $20,362,778
- Total Revenues: $2,531,950
- Total Expenses: $2,441,264
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of 2024 (most recent filing):
- Total Assets: $18,759,152
- Total Giving: $2,408,416
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $18,759,152 | $20,362,778 | $20,278,158 |
| Revenue | $1,279,520 | $2,531,950 | $2,558,461 |
| Expenses | $2,871,802 | $2,441,264 | $1,890,249 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,408,416 | $2,178,294 | $1,629,170 |
| Net Investment Income | $816,134 | $436,409 | $352,769 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,140,975 | $1,038,228 | $1,006,575 |
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
219 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Senator John Heinz History Center ($500,000), Duquesne University School of Law ($427,000), Robert Morris University ($408,241).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALEPPO TOWNSHIP VFC INC SEWICKLEY, PA | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $100 |
| CARLOW UNIVERSITY PITTSBURGH, PA | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $400,000 |
| CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER PITTSBURGH, PA | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $500 |
| DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW PITTSBURGH, PA | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $427,000 |
| CENTER FOR HOPE AMBRIDGE, PA | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $2,500 |
| FERN HOLLOW NATURE CENTER SEWICKLEY, PA | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $5,750 |
| FOLDS OF HONOR FOUNDATION TULAS, OK | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $2,000 |
| EXTRA MILE EDUCATION FOUNDATION PITTSBURGH, PA | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $2,500 |
| HOPE FOR FAMILIES CENTER VERO BEACH, FL | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $5,600 |
| INDIAN RIVER VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE VERO BEACH, FL | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $100 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is managed by trustees Robert N. Peirce and Joan Peirce, located in Pittsburgh, PA.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT N PEIRCE JR | PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| JOAN PEIRCE | SECRETARY | 5 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 707 Grant Street, Suite 125, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1909
Telephone: 412-281-7229
EIN: 23-2903074
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Peirce Family Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's primary funding interests include: • Education • Science and STEM education • Human Services • Philanthropy and voluntarism • Dyslexia education and support programs
How do I apply for a grant from The Peirce Family Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2023: $2,408,416 • Typical grant awards range from $100 to $558,348 • Recent notable grants include: • $360,450 to Robert Morris University (2023) • $201,500 to Pittsburgh Cultural Trust (2023) • $200,260 to Pittsburgh Botanic Garden (2023) • $4,000,000 to Carlow University for dyslexia program support • $9,000,000 combined commitment to Duquesne University and Robert Morris University for dyslexia education The foundation has demonstrated significant commi…
Where does The Peirce Family Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Pennsylvania • Florida • Washington With particular concentration in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area.
What size grants does The Peirce Family Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Peirce Family Foundation Inc awarded 37 grants totaling $2.4M — an average of about $65K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Peirce Family Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Peirce Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Peirce Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Peirce Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-2903074. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Peirce Family Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Pittsburgh Foundation
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
1,132
Total Given
$64.0M
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
SOUTHEASTERN, PA
Assets
$22.2B
Grants
24,269
Total Given
$3.0B
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Assets
$9.1B
Grants
19,253
Total Given
$1.2B
The Ayco Charitable Foundation
COHOES, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
4,719
Total Given
$287.7M
Clapp G H Decd Char and Ed Tr
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$15.3M
Grants
88
Total Given
$1.0M
Richard King Mellon Foundation
LIGONIER, PA
Assets
$2.7B
Grants
296
Total Given
$116.7M
Allegheny Foundation
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$374.8M
Grants
88
Total Given
$24.1M
Hillman Family Foundations
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
814
Total Given
$88.8M
The Grable Foundation
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$350.4M
Grants
361
Total Given
$13.3M
James and Melanie Crockard Foundation
CANONSBURG, PA
Assets
—
Grants
54
Total Given
$160K
Equitrans Midstream Foundation
CANONSBURG, PA
Assets
$12.9M
Grants
143
Total Given
$1.3M
The Heinz Endowments
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$2.2B
Grants
550
Total Given
$85.4M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Peirce Family Foundation Inc 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