Wabtec Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Pittsburgh, PA EIN: 14-1994641

Wabtec Foundation is a private foundation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It supports nonprofit organizations, with its Direct Grant Program emphasizing education and environmental stewardship in local communities where Wabtec operates.

Wabtec Foundation at a glance

In short: Wabtec Foundation gave $839K across 254 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), top state Pennsylvania. 56% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2024)
$838,974
+28.3% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
254
-20.1% vs 2023
Average grant
$3,303
+60.6% vs 2023
Median grant
$128
Total assets
$14,842,058
+22.5% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
56% first-time grantees (141 of 252, 2024)
Primary geography
Pennsylvania (40% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to Wabtec Foundation

How to Apply

The board considers all applications. In general, applicants should meet the requirements of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; non-U.S. entities must meet equivalency determination rules and provide the required documentation. Applications should explain the intended purpose and why the foundation should consider the grant, and state clearly whether the requesting organization is tax-exempt. The foundation does not award grants to individuals for personal needs, religious organizations, organizations lacking 501(c)(3) tax-exempt certification unless they provide an equivalency determination, or requests for economic development, conferences, seminars, symposiums, or travel. The Direct Grant Program also says grants are limited to organizations that do not discriminate based on religion, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.

Review Cycle
Applications should be submitted at least one week before board meetings, generally held in February, May, July, October, and December.
Deadline
Applications should be submitted at least one week before board meetings, generally held in February, May, July,…
Contact

Application contact: Nicole Theophilus
Mailing address: 30 Isabella Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Phone: (412) 825-1000
Email: wabtecfoundation@wabtec.com

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Wabtec Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

United Way of Southwestern PA: $136KUnited Way of Southwestern PA$136K100 Black Men of America: $85K100 Black Men of America$85KThurgood Marshall College Fund: $71KThurgood Marshall College Fund$71KScholarship America: $70KScholarship America$70KCruz Roja Espanola (Spanish Red Cross): $32KCruz Roja Espanola (SpanishRed Cross)$32KThe Advanced Leadership Institute (Tali): $30KThe Advanced LeadershipInstitute (Tali)$30KVeteran Community Project: $30KVeteran Community Project$30KUnited Way of Greenville: $25KUnited Way of Greenville$25KUnited Way of Piedmont: $25KUnited Way of Piedmont$25KAssociation Movimento Uniao BR: $20KAssociation Movimento Uniao BR$20K

The largest 2024 recipient was United Way of Southwestern PA ($136K). Together the top 10 received $524K.

Grant Size Distribution

1,163 grants across all recorded years

1148<$50K12$50–100K3$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,148 grants of 1,163 (99%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The Direct Grant Program focuses on local communities where Wabtec has operations. In 2024, recipient-state shares of grant dollars were Pennsylvania 40%, Georgia 10%, New York 9%, South Carolina 8%, and Michigan 8%.

Grant Distribution by State

43states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 254 itemized grants.

Cities

EriePittsburghWashingtonNew YorkChicagoAtlantaDallasMemphisColorado SpringsArlingtonFort WorthGreenvilleTampaCaryKansas CityRye BrookBridgevilleBuffaloCedar RapidsGrand Rapids

Is Wabtec Foundation open to new grantees?

56%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 141 of 252 grantees (56%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $5K. How we count

Medians: $100 first-time, $275 repeat.

  • 37% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 55% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 120% 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.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$250K$500K$750K$1M211 grants2020 190 grants2021 190 grants2022 318 grants2023 254 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $364K (2020) to $839K (2024). In 2024 it made 254 grants totaling $839K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
United Way of Southwestern PA Pittsburgh, PAGeneral Support$135,568
100 Black Men of America Atlanta, GAGeneral Support$85,000
Thurgood Marshall College Fund New York, NYGeneral Support$71,080
Scholarship America Detroit, MIGeneral Support$70,000
Cruz Roja Espanola (Spanish Red Cross) General Support$32,100
The Advanced Leadership Institute (Tali) Pittsburgh, PAGeneral Support$30,000
Veteran Community Project Kansas City, MOGeneral Support$30,000
United Way of Greenville Greenville, SCGeneral Support$25,000
United Way of Piedmont Spartansburg, SCGeneral Support$25,000
Association Movimento Uniao BR General Support$20,000
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2024$14,842,058$3,799,349$1,022,500$838,974254$911,913$683,698$759,603
2023$12,111,801$2,332,595$807,234$653,957318$716,900$242,111$595,502
2022$10,594,178$1,858,517$665,441$583,336190$589,277$279,533$523,224
2021$9,408,041$899,794$610,360$539,582190$539,582$825,766$555,523
2020$9,172,121$4,194,666$407,248$363,838211—$151,256$314,399

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Wabtec Foundation reported a distributable amount of $760K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

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

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation’s Direct Grant Program identifies education and environmental stewardship as priorities. Its education focus includes initiatives to improve literacy, academic outcomes, and workforce readiness. The program also describes equitable access, non-discrimination, and measurable results as considerations.

Examples of supported organizations illustrate a range of work. 100 Black Men of America describes its mission as improving quality of life in communities and enhancing educational and economic opportunities. Northwest ISD Education Foundation says it funds educational programs and activities not covered by the school district’s normal operating budget. Other 2024 grantees include organizations whose stated missions involve animal care, family support, children in foster care, school supplies, and opportunities for underserved young people.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the foundation reported 254 grants totaling $838,974. Grant amounts ranged from $25 to $135,568, with a median of $128. The Wabtec Direct Grant Program lists awards of $1,000–$10,000.

The largest reported 2024 grants included $135,568 to United Way of Southwestern PA, $85,000 to 100 Black Men of America, $71,080 to Thurgood Marshall College Fund, $70,000 to Scholarship America, and $32,100 to Cruz Roja Espanola (Spanish Red Cross). Each was listed for general support. Other grants included $30,000 to The Advanced Leadership Institute and $30,000 to Veteran Community Project.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Rafael Santana as president/director; Nicole B Theophilus as executive vice president/CHRO, entering in July 2024; Albert J Neupaver and William E Kassling as directors; and Matt Totsch as interim executive vice president/CHRO from April through July 2024.

Wabtec Foundation is led by Rafael Santana, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Rafael Santana

    President & Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Albert J. Neupaver

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • William E. Kassling

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Matt Totsch Interim Executive

    Vice President & Chro

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Nicole B. Theophilus Executive

    Vice President & Chro

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (2)
  • Former: Nicole B. Theophilus (2020–2023) — Executive Vice President & Chro
  • Former: Lee B. Foster II (2020–2021) — 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.

Frequently asked questions about Wabtec Foundation

How much does Wabtec Foundation give each year?

Wabtec Foundation gave $839K across 254 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $654K across 318 grants.

What is Wabtec Foundation's typical grant size?

Wabtec Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $128, and its average grant was $3,303, across 254 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Wabtec Foundation that year got $2K on average.

Where does Wabtec Foundation give grants?

Wabtec Foundation's top state is Pennsylvania, with 40% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Georgia (10%) and New York (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Erie, PA (30 grants), Pittsburgh, PA (12 grants), Washington, DC (12 grants) and Atlanta, GA (9 grants).

Does Wabtec Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 100% of Wabtec Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (254 of 254) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Wabtec Foundation's largest grantees?

Wabtec Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include United Way of Southwestern PA ($135,568), 100 Black Men of America ($85,000) and Thurgood Marshall College Fund ($71,080), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Wabtec Foundation?

Wabtec Foundation reported $14.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $912K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $760K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does Wabtec Foundation fund?

The foundation’s Direct Grant Program identifies education and environmental stewardship as priorities. Its education focus includes initiatives to improve literacy, academic outcomes, and workforce readiness. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Wabtec Foundation?

The board considers all applications. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Wabtec Foundation's EIN?

Wabtec Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 14-1994641. 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.

Data update history

(1)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

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

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Wabtec Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/wabtec-foundation-morg_4daf4aa54708402683ed6918796014c5

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_141994641_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Wabtec Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/wabtec-foundation-morg_4daf4aa54708402683ed6918796014c5},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Wabtec 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.

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