The Pittsburgh Foundation
The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation's oldest and largest community foundations, established in 1945. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and community foundation dedicated to improving quality of life in the Pittsburgh region by evaluating and addressing community issues, promoting responsible philanthropy, and connecting donors to critical community needs.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.5B
+10.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$64.0M
+16.2% YoY
Grant Count
1,132
+7.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$57K
+8.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The Pittsburgh Foundation works to create a vibrant, equitable and just Pittsburgh region that supports everyone—regardless of race, identity or circumstance—to thrive and fulfill their potential.
Core Focus Areas: The Foundation aligns grantmaking to residents' needs and prioritizes support in five core focus areas. Specific program areas include:
- Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh — Funds individual artists, artist residencies, nonprofit organizations and community-based programs that present or produce the art of Africa and the African diaspora
- The Social Justice Fund — Created to strengthen support for efforts that address the root causes of inequity and increase engagement
- Arts and culture
- Education
- Economic development
- Science and STEM education
Grantmaking
The Foundation operates multiple grant-making programs:
Grant Range
s and Activity:**
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation's grantmaking focuses on Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh region.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $1.54 billion
- Total revenue: $159 million
- Total expenses: $88.3 million
- Total liabilities: $92.4 million
Assets and Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $1.401 billion
- Total revenue: $80.275 million
- Total expenses: $80.771 million
- Net assets: $1.323 billion
Staffing:
- Approximately 84 employees (2023)
Financial Sustainability: The Foundation maintains strong financial reserves (6+ months) and well-diversified revenue sources. The organization has demonstrated excellent stewardship of fiscal resources through stringent attention to efficient and cost-effective management.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,541,081,247 | $1,401,303,944 | $1,291,404,891 |
| Revenue | $159,126,734 | $80,275,888 | $91,513,611 |
| Expenses | $88,303,139 | $80,771,324 | $82,468,046 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $70,227,933 | $38,778,764 | $48,056,319 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
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
Rolling / Open
Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh: General Operating Support Grant
THE PITTSBURGH FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to US $100,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
African American Volkswagen Employees' Scholarship Fund Grant
THE PITTSBURGH FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President and CEO: Lisa Schroeder (appointed in 2019, first woman to hold the position)
Principal Officer: Elisabeth M. Schroeder
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WILL ALLEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARC CHERNA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DEBORAH DEMCHAK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LAURA ELLSWORTH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM GENERETT JR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| REV GLENN GRAYSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RICHARD LERACH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DAVID LEWIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| AMY K MARSH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TERRY MILLER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TONI MURPHY | DIRECTOR (EXIT 4/24) | 1 | — |
| JORDAN PALLITTO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR WALTER SMITH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RICHARD TAYLOR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOHN R MCGINLEY JR | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| KAMAL NIGAM | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| LAURA KARET | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| ELISABETH SCHROEDER | PRESIDENT/CEO | 50 | $647,859 |
| JONATHAN BRELSFORD | CIO & SVP OPERATIONS | 40 | $307,282 |
| BRYAN TAIT ASST TREASURER | CHIEF FINANCIAL & OPERATIONS OFFICER | 40 | $222,428 |
| MICHELLE MCMURRAY VP | PROGRAM & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | 40 | $212,589 |
| LINDSAY AROESTY | VP DEVELOPMENT & DONOR SVC | 40 | $202,657 |
| DOUG ROOT | VP COMMUNICATIONS | 40 | $247,883 |
| JENNIE ZIONCHECK | CHIEF OF STAFF/STRAT IMPLE | 40 | $229,503 |
| PHIL KOCH | VP POLICY/COMM IMPACT | 40 | $220,231 |
| CHARMELLE JACKSON | CHIEF HR & CULTURE OFFICER | 40 | $174,160 |
| MICHAEL YONAS | VP PUB HEALTH RESEARCH/LEARNING | 40 | $187,610 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh** — Awarded $1.2 million to artists and arts groups
Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh awards $1.2 Million to artists and arts**Small and Mighty Nonprofits** — Granted $480,000 to small and mighty nonprofits
Pittsburgh Foundation grants $480,000 to Small and Mighty nonprofits**Racial Justice Grantmaking** — Awarded $1.74 million to further racial justice in Pittsburgh
$1.74 million to further racial justice in PittsburghSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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