Updated Oct 28, 2026
Private foundations based in Pennsylvania
2,340 grantmaking foundations headquartered in Pennsylvania, holding $45B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 38 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Penn Foundationsince 1947 | Philadelphia, PA | $149M1,027 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $3.3B |
| John Templeton Foundationsince 1988 | West Conshohocken, PA | $134M426 grants · 2024 | $217K | Yes | $3.4B |
| Richard King Mellon Foundation Dtd 01-01-47since 1949 | Ligonier, PA | $117M296 grants · 2024 | $220K | Yes | $3.3B |
| Hillman Family Foundationssince 1965 | Pittsburgh, PA | $89M814 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $1.9B |
| The Heinz Endowmentssince 1993 | Pittsburgh, PA | $85M550 grants · 2024 | $70K | Yes | $2.1B |
| PNC Foundationsince 1970 | Pittsburgh, PA | $79M1 grants · 2025 | $79M | Yes | $102M |
| Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundationsince 1975 | Erie, PA | $56M143 grants · 2025 | $200K | Preselected only | $513M |
| Sarah Scaife Foundation Incsince 1960 | Pittsburgh, PA | $45M176 grants · 2024 | $200K | Yes | $588M |
| Wyncote Foundationsince 2009 | Philadelphia, PA | $26M139 grants · 2024 | $73K | Preselected only | $605M |
| Posner Foundation of Pittsburghsince 1965 | Pittsburgh, PA | $25M113 grants · 2024 | $100K | Yes | $175M |
| Allegheny Foundationsince 1956 | Pittsburgh, PA | $24M88 grants · 2024 | $150K | Yes | $375M |
| Colcom Foundationsince 1997 | Pittsburgh, PA | $21M138 grants · 2024 | $60K | Yes | $486M |
| Jack Buncher Foundationsince 1974 | Pittsburgh, PA | $21M247 grants · 2023 | $20K | Yes | $186M |
| Highmark Foundationsince 2001 | Pittsburgh, PA | $19M313 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $101M |
| Neubauer Family Foundationsince 1999 | Philadelphia, PA | $18M199 grants · 2023 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $361M |
| Hamilton Family Charitable Trustsince 2017 | Wayne, PA | $17M1 grants · 2024 | $17M | Yes | $232M |
| The McCausland Foundationsince 1994 | Lafayette Hl, PA | $16M1 grants · 2024 | $16M | Yes | $229M |
| Connelly Foundationsince 1960 | W Cnshohocken, PA | $15M305 grants · 2024 | $15K | Yes | $362M |
| I Am Mercy Foundationsince 2022 | Haverford, PA | $15M37 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $411M |
| Eden Hall Foundationsince 1980 | Pittsburgh, PA | $15M1 grants · 2024 | $15M | Yes | $260M |
| E Rhodes and Leona B Carpenter Foundationsince 1975 | Wayne, PA | $14M310 grants · 2024 | $30K | Yes | $252M |
| Cigna Foundationsince 1964 | Philadelphia, PA | $14M4,075 grants · 2024 | $250 | Yes | $127M |
| Claude Worthington Benedum Foundationsince 1946 | Pittsburgh, PA | $14M198 grants · 2024 | $75K | Yes | $448M |
| High Foundationsince 2019 | Lancaster, PA | $14M1 grants · 2024 | $14M | Yes | $307M |
| Grable Foundationsince 1977 | Pittsburgh, PA | $13M361 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $350M |
| Arthur N Rupe Foundationsince 1992 | West Chester, PA | $13M33 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $163M |
| The Powder Mill Foundationsince 1993 | York, PA | $11M87 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $147M |
| Lor Foundation Incsince 2007 | West Chester, PA | $11M1 grants · 2024 | $11M | Preselected only | $323M |
| Zachary Smith Reynolds Trustsince 1939 | Pittsburgh, PA | $10M1 grants · 2024 | $10M | Preselected only | $205M |
| James Annenberg La Vea Charitable Foundationsince 2000 | Philadelphia, PA | $10M21 grants · 2024 | $450K | Preselected only | $198M |
| Alcoa Foundationsince 2016 | Pittsburgh, PA | $9.1M79 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $150M |
| Hfo Foundationsince 1988 | Philadelphia, PA | $9.1M90 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $141M |
| Shear Family Foundation Incsince 2015 | Pittsburgh, PA | $9.0M78 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $226M |
| Cahouet Foundationsince 2009 | Pittsburgh, PA | $8.7M1 grants · 2024 | $8.7M | Yes | $257M |
| Independence Blue Cross Foundationsince 2011 | Philadelphia, PA | $8.7M70 grants · 2024 | $70K | Yes | $131M |
| Psalm 103 Foundationsince 1988 | Honey Brook, PA | $8.4M46 grants · 2024 | $71K | Preselected only | $128M |
| Howmet Aerospace Foundationsince 2020 | Pittsburgh, PA | $8.4M209 grants · 2024 | $20K | Preselected only | $141M |
| Arconic Foundationsince 2020 | Pittsburgh, PA | $8.2M169 grants · 2025 | $30K | Preselected only | $196M |
| Daniel B and Florence E Green Foundationsince 2005 | Conshohocken, PA | $8.1M118 grants · 2024 | $30K | Preselected only | $207M |
| McElhattan Foundationsince 1995 | Pittsburgh, PA | $7.7M105 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $249M |
| Susquehanna Foundationsince 1994 | Bala Cynwyd, PA | $7.4M18 grants · 2025 | $100K | Preselected only | $674M |
| Lola G Duff & William Duff II Scholarship Fundsince 2004 | Pittsburgh, PA | $6.5M1 grants · 2024 | $6.5M | Yes | $118M |
| English-Bonter-Mitchell Foundationsince 1975 | Pittsburgh, PA | $6.4M109 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $145M |
| Independence Public Media of Philadelphia Incsince 1985 | Philadelphia, PA | $6.2M176 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $121M |
| Airie Knipel Harry V and J Williams Warehime Foundationsince 1996 | York, PA | $5.9M93 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $125M |
| Allone Foundationsince 2002 | Wilkes Barre, PA | $5.7M62 grants · 2025 | $13K | Yes | $133M |
| Benjamin & Mary Siddons Measey Foundationsince 1960 | Media, PA | $5.5M21 grants · 2024 | $180K | Yes | $98M |
| Harry C Trexler Estatesince 1938 | Allentown, PA | $5.4M91 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $126M |
| Scott Foundation Incsince 2014 | Greensburg, PA | $4.8M150 grants · 2024 | $22K | Preselected only | $125M |
| The Steinman Foundationsince 1953 | Lancaster, PA | $4.6M87 grants · 2025 | $7,500 | Yes | $110M |
| The Lutheran Foundation for Long- Term Livingsince 2021 | Erie, PA | $4.5M18 grants · 2024 | $63K | Yes | $127M |
| Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation Incsince 1969 | Latrobe, PA | $4.4M72 grants · 2024 | $17K | Yes | $99M |
| The Allerton Foundation Incsince 2000 | Newtown Square, PA | $4.3M27 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $100M |
| Heinz Family Foundationsince 1998 | Pittsburgh, PA | $4.3M99 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $111M |
| The Buhl Foundationsince 1994 | Pittsburgh, PA | $4.2M83 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $108M |
| Arthur Vining Davis Foundation 2since 1966 | Pittsburgh, PA | $4.2M51 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $117M |
| Barra Foundation Incsince 1963 | Philadelphia, PA | $4.0M85 grants · 2024 | $11K | Yes | $95M |
| Oberkotter Foundationsince 1992 | Philadelphia, PA | $2.4M7 grants · 2024 | $155K | Preselected only | $214M |
| Greenberg Foundationsince 2019 | Equinunk, PA | $130K7 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $114M |
| Wyeth Foundation for American Artsince 2003 | West Chester, PA | — | — | Not stated | $316M |
Sources: IRS Business Master File (assets), ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and IRS 990-PF e-file (grants paid, application policy). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own Part XV checkbox.
Open grant programs in Pennsylvania
All 2| Deadline | Grant | Funder | Award ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rollingno deadline | Pennsylvania Council on the Arts — Organizational GrantsStatePennsylvania Council on the Arts | Pennsylvania Council on the Arts | Not listed |
| Rollingno deadline | Pennsylvania Humanities — Humanities GrantsStatePennsylvania Humanities | Pennsylvania Humanities | Not listed |
Common questions
How many private foundations are based in Pennsylvania?
Our directory lists 2,340 private grantmaking foundations in Pennsylvania with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $45B. The data comes from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File and Form 990-PF.
How do I get a grant from a private foundation?
Start with foundations that already fund organizations like yours nearby. Read the grantee list on each profile, check whether the foundation accepts applications (it says so on its 990-PF), and lead with a short letter of inquiry. Many family foundations fund only organizations they already know; an introduction through a shared grantee or board member works better than a cold proposal.
Can you help us approach foundations?
Yes. Our grant writers research foundation prospects, write letters of inquiry, and build a foundation fundraising plan. Request a free consultation.