The Pittsburgh Foundation
The Pittsburgh Foundation is a public charity based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, established in 1945. It supports nonprofit organizations through donor-advised, donor-designated, competitive and other grantmaking programs, as well as scholarships and community initiatives.
The Pittsburgh Foundation at a glance
In short: The Pittsburgh Foundation gave $64.0M across 1,132 grants in 2024 (avg $57K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 24% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $63,995,299
- +16.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1,132
- +7.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $56,533
- +8.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $18,576
- Total assets
- $1,541,081,247
- +10.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (269 of 1,127, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (85% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Pittsburgh Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation’s website directs organizations to review available opportunities and eligibility guidelines, create an organizational profile in its online grant portal, and apply through the portal. The profile requires contact and organizational information, including the organization’s EIN. Applicants can use the portal to review opportunities, track applications and, if awarded a grant, submit progress reports.
- Review Cycle
- The Foundation listed 2026 spring and fall Foundation-directed grant deadlines of February 3 and July 15, 2026. Both dates have passed. The website notes that dates may vary by program and may be subject to change.
- Deadline
- The Foundation listed 2026 spring and fall Foundation-directed grant deadlines of February 3 and July 15, 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: 912 Ft Duquesne Blvd 10Th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: (412) 391-5122
Website: https://pittsburghfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
152 open opportunities from The Pittsburgh Foundation
Ackerman Scholarship Fund for The Boys and Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania Grant
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Amount
More than
Deadline
Deadline not published
Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh: General Operating Support Grant
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Amount
Up to US $100,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
African American Volkswagen Employees' Scholarship Fund Grant
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Pittsburgh Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Pittsburgh ($2.4M). Together the top 10 received $10.1M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($20,309), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
5,513 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4,089 grants of 5,513 (74%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s grant guidelines generally require applicants to be located in Allegheny County or primarily serve its residents, unless a grant opportunity specifies otherwise. In 2024, 85% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania; Ohio, Florida, Michigan and California each received 2% to 3%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 1,132 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Pittsburgh Foundation open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 269 of 1,127 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $38K; repeat grants $63K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 59% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+20%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $53.4M (2021) to $64.0M (2020). In 2024 it made 1,132 grants totaling $64.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | Education | $2,414,272 |
| The Pittsburgh Promise Pittsburgh, PA | Scholarships and Student Financial Aid | $1,343,837 |
| Scholarship America Inc Detroit, MI | Scholarships | $1,209,399 |
| Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | Arts, Culture and Humanities | $878,397 |
| Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Pittsburgh, PA | Higher Education | $788,449 |
| United Way of Southwestern PA Pittsburgh, PA | Human Services | $767,441 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Cincinnati, OH | Philanthropic Community Support | $702,331 |
| Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA | Higher Education | $691,911 |
| Schwab Charitable Orlando, FL | Philanthropic Community Support | $659,116 |
| Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community Ambridge, PA | Environmental Support | $631,534 |
Ready to take the next step with The Pittsburgh Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,541,081,247 | $159,126,734 | $88,303,139 | $63,995,299 | 1,132 | $70,227,933 |
| 2023 | $1,401,303,944 | $80,275,888 | $80,771,324 | $55,091,805 | 1,057 | $38,778,764 |
| 2022 | $1,291,404,891 | $91,513,611 | $82,468,046 | $59,477,071 | 1,080 | $48,056,319 |
| 2021 | $1,518,120,169 | $149,183,284 | $74,715,056 | $53,434,462 | 1,035 | $101,273,309 |
| 2020 | $1,354,368,497 | $110,535,351 | $82,942,098 | $64,031,396 | 1,209 | $56,346,390 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated commitment is to create a vibrant, equitable and just Pittsburgh region where everyone, regardless of race, identity or circumstance, can thrive and fulfill their potential. Its strategic priorities are to promote philanthropy, support community and catalyze partnerships, with a commitment to racial justice.
The Foundation identifies five grantmaking focus areas: basic needs, equity and social justice, environmental action, arts and culture, and economic mobility. Its website describes basic-needs support as including direct assistance for food, housing, health care, mental health supports, child care, education and employment. Other stated aims include supporting civic participation and community organizing, protecting community health and the environment, strengthening small-to-mid-sized arts organizations and supporting artists, and reducing the wealth gap in Allegheny County.
Among the 2024 grantees were organizations working in education, scholarships, arts and culture, human services, environmental support and food assistance. The University of Pittsburgh describes its work as education, research and service to its home region and beyond. The Pittsburgh Promise Foundation says it promotes educational aspirations among urban youth and funds post-secondary scholarships. Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh describes its mission as preserving and expanding art and science resources in Pittsburgh and beyond. The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank says it works toward lasting solutions to hunger and its root causes.
Grantmaking
The Foundation’s programs include grants from donor-advised and committee-advised funds, competitive grants from unrestricted and field-of-interest funds, and donor-designated grants to eligible nonprofits. Its website also describes scholarship funds and other community grant programs. For Foundation-directed grants, it offers project/program support and general operating support.
In 2024, the Foundation reported 1,132 grants totaling $63,995,299. Grant amounts ranged from $5,020 to $2,414,272, with a median of $18,576.
Among the largest reported grants were $2,414,272 to the University of Pittsburgh for education; $1,343,837 to The Pittsburgh Promise for scholarships and student financial aid; $1,209,399 to Scholarship America Inc. for scholarships; and $878,397 to Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh for arts, culture and humanities. Other large grants included $788,449 to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary for higher education, $767,441 to United Way of Southwestern PA for human services, and $627,786 to Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for food banks and pantries.
To qualify for most opportunities, an organization must be an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) public charity, or apply using an eligible fiscal sponsor, and be located in Allegheny County or primarily serve its residents unless a program specifies otherwise. The Foundation says it does not make grants to organizations outside the categories described in Internal Revenue Code Section 170(b)(1)(A), including private non-operating foundations and disqualified supporting organizations. It does not fund organizational start-up costs, endowments, annual appeals or event sponsorships. Statewide or national organizations must have an established local office or chapter that meets the stated eligibility criteria and priorities. It also excludes projects advocating for or endorsing a specific candidate for elected office.
The Foundation says it prioritizes organizations serving high- to extreme-need communities; demonstrating a commitment to social justice; having an established community history; representing the communities they serve; and meaningfully integrating community perspectives into their work. For 2026, it also gives preference to organizations with annual operating budgets under $2 million, those that have received a Foundation grant since 2023, and those directly affected by or responding to federal policy or funding changes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists the following directors: Will Allen, Marc Cherna, Deborah Demchak, Laura Ellsworth, William Generett Jr., Rev. Glenn Grayson, Richard Lerach, David Lewis, Amy K. Marsh and Terry Miller.
The Pittsburgh Foundation is led by Elisabeth Schroeder, President & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 10 of 27 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Elisabeth Schroeder
President & CEO
President & CEO → President, CEO & Assistant Secretary, 2022
President, CEO & Assistant Secretary → President & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$518K (2020) → $648K (2024)
John R. McGinley Jr.
Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David A. Lewis MD
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Glenn Grayson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Ellsworth
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Terry Miller
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Walter H. Smith Jr.
Director
Secretary → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Generett Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy K. Marsh
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jordan Pallitto
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marc Cherna
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Taylor
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Toni Murphy
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Demchak
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Lerach
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Will Allen
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Doug Root
Vice President Communications
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$215K (2020) → $248K (2024)
Jonathan Brelsford
CIO & Senior Vice President Operations
Senior Vice President Finance & Investments → CIO & Senior Vice President Operations, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$252K (2020) → $307K (2024)
Michael Yonas
Vice President Pub Health Research & Learning
Vice President Pub Health Research & Learning → Vice President Pub Health Research & Lea, 2022
Vice President Pub Health Research & Lea → Vice President Pub Health Research & Learning, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$139K (2020) → $188K (2024)
Phil Koch
Vice President Policy & Committee Impact
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$151K (2020) → $220K (2024)
Jennie Zioncheck
Chief of Staff & Strat Imple
Chief of Staff & Strat Imple → Chief of Staff & Strat Implementation, 2023
Chief of Staff & Strat Implementation → Chief of Staff & Strat Imple, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$202K (2021) → $230K (2024)
Lindsay Aroesty
Vice President Development & Donor Svc
Vice President Development & Donor Svcs → Vice President Development & Donor Svc, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$172K (2021) → $203K (2024)
Bryan Tait Asst Treasurer
Chief Financial & Operations Officer
Vice President Finance & Operations → Chief Financial & Operations Officer, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$179K (2022) → $222K (2024)
Charmelle Jackson
Chief Hr & Culture Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$174K (2024)
Michelle McMurray Vp
Program & Community Engagement
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$213K (2024)
Kamal Nigam
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Karet
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (20)
- Former: Anne V. Lewis (2020–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Jane Downing (2020–2023) — Senior Program Officer
- Former: William Strickland (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Michelle McMurray (2021–2023) — Vice President Program & Community Engagement
- Former: Brian Lenart (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jeanne Pearlman (2020–2022) — Former Key Employee
- Former: Lee Foster II (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Deborah Demchak Entered (2022) — Director
- Former: Herb Shear (2022) — Director
- Former: Bryan Tait (2020–2021) — Vice President Finance & Operations
- Former: Edith L. Shapira MD (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: John C. Harmon Esq. (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Kim Tillotson Fleming (2020–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Patrick Dowd (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Yvonne Maher (2020–2021) — Former Key Employee
- Former: Amy K. Marsh Entered (2021) — Director
- Former: Herb Shear Entered (2021) — Director
- Former: Marc Cherna Entered (2021) — Director
- Former: Richard Taylor Entered (2021) — Director
- Former: Edward J. Donnelly (2020) — Director
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 $648K, to Elisabeth Schroeder (President/CEO). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Pittsburgh Foundation
How much does The Pittsburgh Foundation give each year?
The Pittsburgh Foundation gave $64.0M across 1,132 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $55.1M across 1,057 grants.
What is The Pittsburgh Foundation's typical grant size?
The Pittsburgh Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $18,576, and its average grant was $56,533, across 1,132 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Pittsburgh Foundation that year got $38K on average.
Where does The Pittsburgh Foundation give grants?
The Pittsburgh Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Pittsburgh, PA (444 grants), Greensburg, PA (36 grants), Sewickley, PA (21 grants) and New York, NY (21 grants).
Does The Pittsburgh Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 1,132 grants with a stated purpose on The Pittsburgh Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Religious Support" (108 grants), "Higher Education" (73 grants) and "Human Services" (59 grants).
Who are The Pittsburgh Foundation's largest grantees?
The Pittsburgh Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include University of Pittsburgh ($2,414,272), The Pittsburgh Promise ($1,343,837) and Scholarship America Inc ($1,209,399), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($20,309), which are not listed by name. Together they received 8% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Pittsburgh Foundation?
The Pittsburgh Foundation reported $1.5B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $159.1M.
What does The Pittsburgh Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s stated commitment is to create a vibrant, equitable and just Pittsburgh region where everyone, regardless of race, identity or circumstance, can thrive and fulfill their potential. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Pittsburgh Foundation?
The Foundation’s website directs organizations to review available opportunities and eligibility guidelines, create an organizational profile in its online grant portal, and apply through the portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Pittsburgh Foundation's EIN?
The Pittsburgh Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-0965466. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Pittsburgh Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Pittsburgh Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 9, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-pittsburgh-foundation-morg_d1113930713c45598e433ab36d819769
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_250965466_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Pittsburgh Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-pittsburgh-foundation-morg_d1113930713c45598e433ab36d819769},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-09. 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 Pittsburgh 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.
The Pittsburgh Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?