Tippins Foundation
The Tippins Foundation is a corporate foundation established in 1987 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The foundation supports a diverse range of causes across the United States, with a particular focus on organizations in Pennsylvania and major metropolitan areas.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$384K
-37.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$564K
+4.5% YoY
Grant Count
86
-1.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
+5.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Tippins Foundation reported a distributable amount of $29K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not specify a single mission statement but supports organizations involved in the following areas:
- Arts and culture
- Education
- Animal welfare and zoos
- Health and medical research
- Human services
- Youth programs
- Public safety
- Entrepreneurial education
- Disaster relief
- Healthcare and hospitals
Grantmaking
The foundation is open to new applicants.
Grant Range
$500–$75,000
Average Grant
approximately $6,400–$27,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations across multiple U.S. states and cities, including:
- Pennsylvania (primary focus, particularly Pittsburgh)
- California
- Florida
- Illinois
- Indiana
- New York
- Tennessee
- Virginia
Major cities funded include Chicago, New York, and Nashville, in addition to numerous Pennsylvania locations.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Data (2024):
- Total assets: $383,526–$611,000
- Total revenues: $343,278–$347,680
- Total expenses: $546,144–$570,161
- Total giving: $540,000
Historical Trend:
- 2023: Assets $790,627; Total giving $539,935
- 2022: Assets $1.2M; Total giving $518,000
- 2021: Assets $1.3M; Total giving $540,000
- 2020: Assets $1.5M; Total giving $562,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $383,526 | $610,627 | $790,302 |
| Revenue | $347,680 | $343,278 | $298,057 |
| Expenses | $570,161 | $546,144 | $537,071 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $566,155 | $541,350 | $531,770 |
| Net Investment Income | $94,994 | $90,360 | $44,572 |
| Distributable Amount | $29,416 | $38,946 | $52,140 |
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
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Doctors Without Borders ($30,000), Brother's Brother Foundation ($25,000), Junior Achievement of Southwestern Pa ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALLEGHENY COLLEGE MEADVILLE, PA | EDUCATION | $2,500 |
| ALLEPO TOWNSHIP VFC SEWICKLEY, PA | PUBLIC SAFETY | $1,000 |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION (NATIONAL) CHICAGO, IL | MEDICAL RESEARCH | $2,500 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS OF SOUTHWESTERN PA PITTSBURGH, PA | HUMAN SERVICES | $5,000 |
| ANGEL'S PLACE PITTSBURGH, PA | HUMAN SERVICES | $1,000 |
| ANIMAL FRIENDS PITTSBURGH, PA | ANIMAL AID | $5,000 |
| AUBERLE - WARD HOME MCKEESPORT, PA | HUMAN SERVICES | $3,000 |
| BETHLEHEM HAVEN PITTSBURGH, PA | HUMAN SERVICES | $5,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS AND SISTERS PITTSBURGH, PA | HUMAN SERVICES | $3,000 |
| BLIND AND VISION REHABILITATION PITTSBURGH, PA | HUMAN SERVICES | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Carolyn H. Tippins – Trustee (volunteer, no compensation)
- John H. Tippins – Trustee (volunteer, no compensation)
- William H. Tippins – Executive Director (volunteer, no compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAROLYN H TIPPINS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JOHN H TIPPINS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM H TIPPINS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: 209 4th Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1707
- Phone: 412-391-0300
- EIN: 25-6282382
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Tippins Foundation fund?
The foundation does not specify a single mission statement but supports organizations involved in the following areas: • Arts and culture • Education • Animal welfare and zoos • Health and medical research • Human services • Youth programs • Public safety • Entrepreneurial education • Disaster relief • Healthcare and hospitals
How do I apply for a grant from Tippins Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • In 2024, the foundation awarded 87 grants totaling approximately $540,000 • In 2023, the foundation awarded 83 grants totaling $530,000 • Grant range: $500–$75,000 • Median grant size: $3,000 • Average grant size: approximately $6,400–$27,000 **Recent Grant Recipients (2023–2024):** • University of Pittsburgh ($75,000 for medical research) • University of Pittsburgh Panther Labworks ($70,000 for entrepreneurial education) • Doctors Without Borders USA ($30,000 for disaster…
Where does Tippins Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds organizations across multiple U.S. states and cities, including: • Pennsylvania (primary focus, particularly Pittsburgh) • California • Florida • Illinois • Indiana • New York • Tennessee • Virginia Major cities funded include Chicago, New York, and Nashville, in addition to numerous Pennsylvania locations.
What size grants does Tippins Foundation award?
In 2024, Tippins Foundation awarded 86 grants totaling $564K — an average of about $7K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Tippins Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Tippins Foundation reported a distributable amount of $29K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Tippins Foundation's EIN?
Tippins Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-6282382. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Tippins Foundation'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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