Updated Oct 31, 2026
Private foundations based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
958 grantmaking foundations headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, holding $15B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 37 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillman Family Foundationssince 1965 | $89M814 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $1.9B |
| The Heinz Endowmentssince 1993 | $85M550 grants · 2024 | $70K | Yes | $2.1B |
| PNC Foundationsince 1970 | $79M1 grants · 2025 | $79M | Yes | $102M |
| Sarah Scaife Foundation Incsince 1960 | $45M176 grants · 2024 | $200K | Yes | $936M |
| McCune Foundationsince 1980 | $42M81 grants · 2024 | $150K | Yes | $91M |
| J E Barbey 8 Tenacre Foundationsince 2019 | $36M1 grants · 2024 | $36M | Preselected only | $63M |
| Posner Foundation of Pittsburghsince 1965 | $25M113 grants · 2024 | $100K | Yes | $175M |
| Allegheny Foundationsince 1956 | $24M88 grants · 2024 | $150K | Yes | $375M |
| Colcom Foundationsince 1997 | $21M138 grants · 2024 | $60K | Yes | $486M |
| Jack Buncher Foundationsince 1974 | $21M247 grants · 2023 | $20K | Yes | $186M |
| Highmark Foundationsince 2001 | $19M313 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $101M |
| Eden Hall Foundationsince 1980 | $15M1 grants · 2024 | $15M | Yes | $260M |
| Claude Worthington Benedum Foundationsince 1946 | $14M198 grants · 2024 | $75K | Yes | $448M |
| Grable Foundationsince 1977 | $13M361 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $350M |
| Zachary Smith Reynolds Trustsince 1939 | $10M1 grants · 2024 | $10M | Preselected only | $205M |
| Alcoa Foundationsince 2016 | $9.1M79 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $150M |
| Shear Family Foundation Incsince 2015 | $9.0M78 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $226M |
| Cahouet Foundationsince 2009 | $8.7M1 grants · 2024 | $8.7M | Yes | $257M |
| Howmet Aerospace Foundationsince 2020 | $8.4M209 grants · 2024 | $20K | Preselected only | $141M |
| Arconic Foundationsince 2020 | $8.2M169 grants · 2025 | $30K | Preselected only | $196M |
| McElhattan Foundationsince 1995 | $7.7M105 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $249M |
| Lola G Duff & William Duff II Scholarship Fundsince 2004 | $6.5M1 grants · 2024 | $6.5M | Yes | $118M |
| English-Bonter-Mitchell Foundationsince 1975 | $6.4M109 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $145M |
| Bny Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvaniasince 1975 | $5.1M19 grants · 2024 | $200K | Yes | $82M |
| Theresa and Edward Otoole Foundationsince 1971 | $4.8M58 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $58M |
| Elizabeth Severance Prentiss Foundationsince 1945 | $4.8M47 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $72M |
| Burke Family Foundationsince 1998 | $4.3M125 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $83M |
| Burke Foundationsince 1983 | $4.3M125 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $83M |
| Heinz Family Foundationsince 1998 | $4.3M99 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $111M |
| The Buhl Foundationsince 1994 | $4.2M83 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $108M |
| Arthur Vining Davis Foundation 2since 1966 | $4.2M51 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $117M |
| Roy a Hunt Foundationsince 1970 | $4.0M1 grants · 2024 | $4.0M | Yes | $81M |
| Mabel Louise Riley Foundationsince 1972 | $3.7M69 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $47M |
| Addison Gibson Foundationsince 1940 | $3.5M30 grants · 2024 | $100K | Yes | $48M |
| Eamon Foundationsince 2009 | $3.5M8 grants · 2024 | $88K | Preselected only | $66M |
| The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation Foundationsince 1998 | $3.4M6 grants · 2024 | $625K | Yes | $40M |
| Staunton Farm Foundation Trustsince 1938 | $3.2M87 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $68M |
| Sutphin Family Foundationsince 1995 | $2.7M99 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $37M |
| Rossin Foundationsince 1989 | $2.6M16 grants · 2025 | $19K | Yes | $55M |
| Opportunity Foundationsince 2015 | $2.4M156 grants · 2024 | $15K | Yes | $41M |
| The Rhoads Family Environmental Fundsince 2007 | $2.4M1 grants · 2025 | $2.4M | Preselected only | $51M |
| George Link Jr Foundation Incsince 1981 | $2.3M54 grants · 2024 | $38K | Yes | $33M |
| Donald & Emily Guthrie Fdn Fbo the Robert Packer Hospitalsince 1978 | $2.3M1 grants · 2024 | $2.3M | Preselected only | $29M |
| W Seton Belt Charitable Trustsince 2015 | $2.2M2 grants · 2024 | $1.1M | Preselected only | $45M |
| William G Rohrer Charitable Fdnsince 1988 | $2.1M30 grants · 2025 | $30K | Yes | $35M |
| John a Schroth Family Charitabletrustsince 2007 | $2.0M58 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $42M |
| Edward M Wilson Family Foundationsince 1980 | $1.8M1 grants · 2024 | $1.8M | Yes | $38M |
| Acorn Foundation Incsince 1992 | $1.8M1 grants · 2024 | $1.8M | Preselected only | $32M |
| John H Wright Etal Trust Fbo Lucille Wright Etalsince 2011 | $1.8M1 grants · 2025 | $1.8M | Preselected only | $38M |
| Louis and Sandra Berkman Foundationsince 1954 | $1.7M1 grants · 2025 | $1.7M | Preselected only | $31M |
| Charles M Morris Charitable Trustsince 1990 | $1.6M14 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $29M |
| Louise Washington Charitable Trust 010-42432012041505since 2015 | $1.6M7 grants · 2025 | $275K | Yes | $29M |
| Baskin Foundation Incsince 2010 | $1.6M12 grants · 2025 | $28K | Preselected only | $32M |
| John Ben Snow Memorial Trsince 1975 | $1.5M111 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $31M |
| Fisa Foundationsince 1957 | $1.5M51 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $49M |
| Samuel and Edith@justus Charitable Trustsince 2015 | $1.3M35 grants · 2025 | $23K | Yes | $28M |
| Paul G Benedum Jr Foundationsince 1997 | $690K15 grants · 2024 | $30K | Preselected only | $45M |
| Wittmer Zoerb Foundationsince 2026 | $619K29 grants · 2024 | $14K | Preselected only | $32M |
| Theodore W and Betty J Eckels Foundationsince 2011 | $610K13 grants · 2025 | $25K | Preselected only | $68M |
| John G Rangos Charitable Foundationsince 1989 | — | — | Not stated | $33M |
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 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?
Our directory lists 958 private grantmaking foundations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $15B. 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.