Mary Hillman Jennings Foundation Grant

Mary Hillman Jennings Foundation Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Hillman Family Foundations
Last Updated: October 25, 2025

Summary

The Mary Hillman Jennings Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations in southwestern Pennsylvania, focusing on community development, health, education, and the arts. Established in 1968, the Foundation aims to improve the quality of life for underserved populations, including at-risk youth and homeless individuals. It prioritizes direct services that promote economic and social welfare, while accepting applications from tax-exempt organizations. The grant cycle may take two to three months, reflecting the Foundation's commitment to thorough review.

Overview

NOTE: The Foundation accepts applications on a rolling basis. It aims to provide an initial response to each request within several weeks of the application's submission. However, please allow sufficient time for review and consideration. The full grant cycle typically takes at least two to three months, though this varies according to the time of year when the application is submitted. Background Mary Hillman Jennings (1921–1979) created the Foundation in 1968 with the intention of advancing her charitable work and her support for Pittsburgh-area nonprofit organizations. Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to a wide range of community activities and believed that a truly world-class region invests in its most vulnerable citizens and its most disadvantaged communities. Providing opportunity for people in southwestern Pennsylvania facing barriers Improving the quality of life in southwestern Pennsylvania for all, with a focus on communities historically left out of opportunity, is central to Mary Hillman Jennings Foundation's approach. Priorities In the greater Pittsburgh region, Mary Hillman Jennings Foundation's grantmaking focuses on community development, health, education, human services, the arts, and the environment. Serving the most vulnerable among us is a top priority. Arts and CultureCommunity and Economic DevelopmentEducation and Workforce DevelopmentEnergy and EnvironmentHealth and MedicineHuman Services Strategic Priorities Mary Hillman Jennings Foundation prioritizes investments that increase opportunities and promote the economic, social, and emotional welfare of those whose voices and concerns are often overlooked. Current priorities are focused on programs that provide direct services to: At-Risk Children and Youth After-school programs Culturally relevant arts and culture education Homeless Individuals Homelessness prevention and response Low-to-no barrier housing options and supportive services Immigrants and Refugees Culturally responsive approaches that promote well-being and inclusion, such as translation, interpretation, and student supports Low-Income Workers Neighborhood-based workforce development and financial empowerment initiatives Mothers and Children Lowering premature morbidity and mortality Supporting maternal and child well-being from birth People Struggling with Addiction and Recovery Prevention, education, harm-reduction, and increased access to existing services Increasing community response capacity People Formerly Incarcerated who are Re-Entering the Community Policy changes, diversion models, collaborative approaches, and innovative in-jail and re-entry programs for juveniles and adults Victims of Violence Reducing neighborhood violence through evidence-based programs Mental health and other essential services

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicant organizations must be classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and as public charities under Section 509(a) of that code. Organizations and government entities that are federally tax-exempt for other reasons can also apply for funding.The Foundation's geographic focus is the ten counties in southwestern Pennsylvania: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland.

Ineligibility

Activities for which the Mary Hillman Jennings Foundation does not encourage requests:   Organizations based outside of the United States Support for organizations that are not a 501(c)(3) or government agency, and therefore require a fiscal sponsorship, unless the sponsorship is a temporary situation and/or the sponsorship arrangement meets rigorous criteria for oversight and support Direct support for individuals Conference, event, or training sponsorships Documentary and film projects Endowment contributions Debt reduction Annual appeals