The Peirce Family Foundation Inc

Private foundation · Grantmaker Pittsburgh, PA EIN: 23-2903074

The Peirce Family Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2024, it awarded 37 grants totaling $2,408,416, primarily to Pennsylvania organizations, including educational institutions, cultural organizations, and environmental organizations.

Key facts about The Peirce Family Foundation Inc

In short: The Peirce Family Foundation Inc gave $2.4M across 37 grants in 2024 (avg $65K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 11% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
23-2903074
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$2,408,416
Grants made (2024)
37
Average grant
$65,092
Median grant
$2,500
New grantees (estimate)
11% first-time grantees (4 of 37, 2024)
Total assets
$18,759,152
Primary geography
Pennsylvania (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
How to apply
The foundation’s filing says applications must be submitted in writing to Robert N Peirce Jr. Full details ↓
Deadline
None listed.

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 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 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.

Is The Peirce Family Foundation Inc open to new grantees?

11%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 4 of 37 grantees (11%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $129K; repeat grants $57K. How we count

Medians: $8K first-time, $2K repeat.

  • 70% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 58% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 211% 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.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, Robert Morris University describes its mission as helping people build engaged, productive, and successful careers and lives. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden says it inspires people to value plants, garden design, and the natural world through collections, display gardens, education, and environmental conservation. Pittsburgh Cultural Trust describes its work as presenting performing and visual arts, advancing arts education, managing arts facilities, and developing Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.

Other 2024 grantees include Carlow University, which describes its mission as offering educational opportunities and preparing compassionate, responsible leaders; Pittsburgh Symphony, whose mission is to engage, enrich, and inspire through live musical experiences; and Fern Hollow Nature Center, which operates an environmental education center.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the foundation made 37 grants totaling $2,408,416. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $500,000, with a median of $2,500.

Among its largest 2024 grants were $500,000 to the Senator John Heinz History Center, $427,000 to Duquesne University School of Law, $408,241 to Robert Morris University, $400,000 to Carlow University, $205,000 to Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, and $201,500 to Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. It also awarded $100,000 to Laughlin Childrens Center and $50,000 to Urban Impact Fund.

Review Cycle

None listed.

How to Apply

The foundation’s filing says applications must be submitted in writing to Robert N Peirce Jr. They must include the proposed recipient’s name and address, the purpose and nature of the request, the amount requested, an exemption letter, and background information about the organization. The filing lists no restrictions on awards.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania and 1% went to recipients in Florida. Washington, Oklahoma, and Virginia each accounted for a reported 0% share.

Grant Distribution by State

9states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 37 itemized grants.

Cities

PittsburghSewickleyVero BeachMoon TownshipTriangleAmbridgeBostonTulasCarnegieFreelandNatrona HeightsAllison ParkPhoenixvilleBeaverCranberry TwpGreensburgLaguna HillsMinneapolisNorth HavenOakdale

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$1M$2M$3M48 grants2020 44 grants2021 51 grants2022 40 grants2023 37 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.5M (2021) to $2.4M (2020). In 2024 it made 37 grants totaling $2.4M.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Senator John Heinz History Center: $500KSenator John Heinz HistoryCenter$500KDuquesne University School of Law: $427KDuquesne University School ofLaw$427KRobert Morris University: $408KRobert Morris University$408KCarlow University: $400KCarlow University$400KPittsburgh Botanic Garden: $205KPittsburgh Botanic Garden$205KPittsburgh Cultural Trust: $202KPittsburgh Cultural Trust$202KLaughlin Childrens Center: $100KLaughlin Childrens Center$100KUrban Impact Fund: $50KUrban Impact Fund$50KPittsburgh Symphony: $43KPittsburgh Symphony$43KManchester Bidwell: $25KManchester Bidwell$25K

The largest 2024 recipient was Senator John Heinz History Center ($500K). Together the top 10 received $2.4M.

Grant Size Distribution

220 grants across all recorded years

174<$50K14$50–100K20$100–250K9$250–500K2$500K–1M1$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 174 grants of 220 (79%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Senator John Heinz History Center Pittsburgh, PACharitable Contribution$500,000
Duquesne University School of Law Pittsburgh, PACharitable Contribution$427,000
Robert Morris University Moon Township, PACharitable Contribution$408,241
Carlow University Pittsburgh, PACharitable Contribution$400,000
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden Pittsburgh, PACharitable Contirbution$205,000
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Pittsburgh, PACharitable Contribution$201,500
Laughlin Childrens Center Sewickley, PACharitable Contribution$100,000
Urban Impact Fund Pittsburgh, PACharitable Contribution$50,000
Pittsburgh Symphony Pittsburgh, PACharitable Contribution$43,000
Manchester Bidwell Pittsburgh, PACharitable Contribution$25,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2024 $18,759,152 $1,279,520 $2,871,802 $2,408,416
2023 $20,362,778 $2,531,950 $2,441,264 $2,178,294
2022 $20,278,158 $2,558,461 $1,890,249 $1,629,170
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$2M$4M$6M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
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

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Robert N Peirce Jr as president and Joan Peirce as secretary.

The Peirce Family Foundation Inc is led by Robert N. Peirce Jr., President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Robert N. Peirce Jr.

    President

    On filings since 2020

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Joan Peirce

    Secretary

    On filings since 2020

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

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.

Contact

Application contact: Robert N Peirce Jr
Mailing address: 2500 Gulf Tower 707 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1919
Phone: (412) 281-7229

Frequently asked questions about The Peirce Family Foundation Inc

How much does The Peirce Family Foundation Inc give each year?

The Peirce Family Foundation Inc gave $2.4M across 37 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.2M across 40 grants.

What is The Peirce Family Foundation Inc's typical grant size?

The Peirce Family Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $2,500, and its average grant was $65,092, across 37 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Peirce Family Foundation Inc that year got $129K on average.

Where does The Peirce Family Foundation Inc give grants?

The Peirce Family Foundation Inc gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Pittsburgh, PA (12 grants), Sewickley, PA (10 grants), Vero Beach, FL (8 grants) and Moon Township, PA (2 grants).

Who are The Peirce Family Foundation Inc's largest grantees?

The Peirce Family Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Senator John Heinz History Center ($500,000), Duquesne University School of Law ($427,000) and Robert Morris University ($408,241), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is The Peirce Family Foundation Inc?

The Peirce Family Foundation Inc reported $18.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does The Peirce Family Foundation Inc fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, Robert Morris University describes its mission as helping people build engaged, productive, and successful careers and lives. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from The Peirce Family Foundation Inc?

The foundation’s filing says applications must be submitted in writing to Robert N Peirce Jr. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

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.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.

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