Best Pittsburgh Grants for Nonprofits in Pennsylvania

The Youth Violence Prevention Initiative Grants, offered by the Roy A. Hunt Foundation, aim to reduce youth violence in high-risk areas across the U.S. With $3.4 million allocated annually, the foundation prioritizes support for proven-risk youth through measurable strategies. Funding ranges from $25,000 to $75,000 per project, emphasizing community-driven partnerships and evidence-based programs. Note that proposals related to youth suicide, child abuse, and domestic violence are excluded from consideration.

The POISE Community Impact Grants, offered by the Poise Foundation, aim to support Black-led nonprofit organizations in the Pittsburgh Region. Grants range from $1,000 to $5,000 and are awarded twice a year, focusing on areas such as economic development, education, entrepreneurship, and family strengthening. The foundation prioritizes applications from organizations that demonstrate a commitment to empowering the Black community and fostering self-sufficiency through innovative programming and community engagement.

Love Your Block

Love Your Block is a City of Pittsburgh program that brings neighbors together to improve our communities by combating blight, creating assets, and building resilience, block by block.

Community organizations across Pittsburgh are invited to apply for $500 and $1000 grants, and a limited number could qualify for a $1,500 grant. These grants will function as a reimbursement.

Examples of successful projects include:

• Community garden maintenance / improvements
• Artistic Board-Ups
• Tree and flower planting
• Beautification projects involving a parcel of land owned by the City or the community group applying for the grant.

The University of Pittsburgh, through the Edwards Publication Fund, provides subventions for high-profile scholarly book publications. Tenure-stream and tenured faculty can apply for funding, with standard subventions capped at $2,500 and special subventions for image-dense publications up to $20,000. Faculty must demonstrate prior funding efforts and may only apply for unpaid expenses. Priority is given to those whose work can impact their promotion. Emeritus faculty are ineligible.

The Henry C. Frick Educational Fund Grant, under the Buhl Foundation, aims to enhance public education in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Established in 1909, it supports grants for K-12 schools, focusing on disadvantaged populations. The fund prioritizes science, arts, and professional development in education, fostering innovation and community engagement. Grants are available for organizations recognized as tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) and are limited to specific counties. The fund does not support building funds, scholarships, or political activities.

Duquesne Light Company's Community Impact Grants (CIG) program, initiated in 2021, aims to empower grassroots organizations addressing social equity, education, and environmental justice in Allegheny and Beaver counties. Eligible nonprofits can apply for funding to support initiatives that promote racial equality, educational opportunities, and community resilience. The program prioritizes organizations led by BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ individuals, ensuring diverse leadership in community development efforts.

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Impact Grants provide essential funding to organizations facing barriers in delivering food assistance. These small grants, typically ranging from $1,500 for child nutrition programs to $7,500 for agency partners, aim to enhance capacity and improve service delivery. By addressing specific needs, such as equipment or facility repairs, these grants create significant and lasting impacts on food security in the community.

The Pittsburgh Jazz Society/Howard Gendell M.D. Scholarship Endowment, established by The Pittsburgh Foundation, honors Howard Gendell, a physician and jazz musician. This scholarship supports local music students pursuing degrees in jazz. Eligible candidates must attend Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham University, Duquesne University, or the University of Pittsburgh, and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5. This initiative fosters musical talent and educational advancement within the Pittsburgh community.

The Richard King Mellon Foundation's Economic Mobility program is currently accepting grant applications through its General Application. While specific RFPs are no longer available, proposals that align with the Foundation's strategic goals for 2021-2030 are encouraged. The Foundation, established by visionary Richard King Mellon, has a history of supporting initiatives that enhance economic development and environmental stewardship in Southwestern Pennsylvania, with a commitment to awarding over $1.2 billion in the coming years.

The Buhl Foundation Grant Program supports initiatives in Southwestern Pennsylvania that enhance community vitality and foster economic development. The foundation prioritizes projects in education, health, and employment, particularly those benefiting Pittsburgh's Northside neighborhoods. By focusing on resident-led initiatives, the foundation aims to empower local communities and ensure sustainable growth. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations, with funding preferences for projects that revitalize neighborhoods and improve access to vital resources.

The Buhl Foundation's McCreery Memorial Fund Grant supports nonprofits in Southwestern Pennsylvania dedicated to enhancing musical education and awareness among youth. Established in 1938, this fund aims to impact the Pittsburgh region positively. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt and not classified as private foundations. While focused on the Northside neighborhoods, applications from similar initiatives in Western Pennsylvania are welcomed, fostering a vibrant musical community for young people.

The Mellon Foundation's Economic Development Grant Program aims to address economic disparities in Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania by enhancing workforce skills and creating job opportunities. The program focuses on talent development, workforce systems, and community building, advocating for innovative education and training that aligns with future job markets. It seeks proposals that promote 21st-century skills, foster entrepreneurship, and support underrepresented groups, ultimately driving economic independence and community vitality.

The Carnegie Mellon University Scholarly Project Funding offers financial support for graduate students pursuing research essential to their degree programs. With grants of $750, it assists those whose resources are depleted. This funding, provided by the Graduate Student Assembly and the Office of the Provost, requires students to be enrolled during the funding period and to complete necessary application forms. Eligible expenses include books, travel, and research-related costs, enhancing the academic journey at CMU.

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation focuses on supporting organizations that empower communities through basic needs, income creation, and stable housing. By investing in health and job opportunities, they aim to enhance economic mobility for low- and moderate-income families. Their partnerships target vulnerable populations, ensuring equitable access to resources that foster community vitality and resilience. This initiative emphasizes the importance of stable housing as a foundation for personal and communal growth.

The FISA Foundation Grant supports initiatives aimed at improving the health and well-being of people with disabilities, particularly women and girls. Priorities include enhancing access to healthcare, addressing biases in the system, and preventing violence against vulnerable populations. The foundation emphasizes projects with clear outcomes and realistic evaluation plans, focusing on marginalized groups, especially those facing systemic barriers. Eligible organizations must operate within southwestern Pennsylvania and benefit women, girls, or people with disabilities.

The EQT Foundation Grant Program supports nonprofits with a focus on community enrichment, education, and environmental preservation in areas aligned with EQT Corporation's business operations. Since 2003, it has awarded over $74 million, emphasizing impactful, evidence-based proposals that foster safe and sustainable communities. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt and demonstrate effective resource management. The foundation prioritizes projects that promote STEM education, community engagement, and conservation efforts to enhance quality of life in the regions it serves.

The Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds is a grant-making foundation and non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of the Pennsylvania's water resources.

Raccoon Creek Benefit Fund

Funding through this grant program will support projects that promote the restoration, preservation, protection, or provide other beneficial impacts on water quality in the Raccoon Creek watershed. This Fund was established through a Consent Decree that resolved alleged unauthorized discharges of pollutants in the Raccoon Creek Watershed.

Grantmaking Goals

• Improve water quality and aquatic habitat in Raccoon Creek and its tributaries.
• Address pollution sources, including legacy and ongoing impacts.
• Advance AMD/AML remediation, stream restoration, riparian buffers, and green infrastructure.
• Support monitoring, data collection, and evaluation tied to restoration outcomes.
• Strengthen local organizational capacity to deliver and sustain restoration work.
• Protect land for conservation or public access purposes through acquisitions or easements.
• Engage stakeholders through outreach, education, and communications that will help protect or improve the Raccoon Creek watershed. 

The Andersen Corporate Foundation, established in 1941, aims to enhance lives and strengthen communities where its employees reside. It has contributed over $65 million to various causes, focusing on housing, healthcare, hunger relief, and education. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, primarily supporting nonprofit organizations that align with these areas, particularly in communities where Andersen operates, ensuring a lasting impact on local initiatives.

The Wish Book Grants program by the Pittsburgh Foundation supports nonprofits in specific Pennsylvania counties. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) certified, allow only one wish submission, and focus on general operating support. The grants, capped at $5,000, aim to enhance community services. In 2023, $670,000 was raised for 100 organizations. The program thrives on donor contributions and seeks to align with the Foundation's areas of interest, including arts, economic mobility, and social justice.

The Pittsburgh Foundation aims to foster a vibrant, equitable, and just community in the Pittsburgh region through its Foundation-Directed Grantmaking. Focus areas include Basic Needs, Equity and Social Justice, Arts and Culture, Economic Mobility, and Environmental Action. The Foundation prioritizes support for organizations serving low-income communities and those impacted by social injustices. By aligning grantmaking with community aspirations, they strive to ensure everyone can thrive and access essential resources and opportunities.

The Laurel Foundation Grant focuses on supporting organizations in Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3). Between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019, it distributed $1,510,000 to 55 organizations across various fields, including Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, and Public Benefit. The Foundation emphasizes long-term benefits, fiscal responsibility, and measurable outcomes, while not funding individuals or programs outside its specified geographic area.

The JetBlue Foundation is dedicated to enhancing aviation-related education and STEM initiatives, aiming to inspire future aviation leaders. Offering grants up to $50,000, it supports educational organizations that focus on aviation technology, engineering, operations, and maintenance. The foundation prioritizes programs benefiting under-represented communities in aviation, including veterans, women, and diverse groups, ensuring a broader range of voices in the industry.

The Erie Insurance Giving Network Grant supports organizations focused on community building, safety, and environmental responsibility. Grants under $10,000 can be submitted at any time, while larger requests follow specific deadlines. Priority is given to organizations with community representation in their governing bodies. Eligible entities include nonprofit organizations, accredited educational institutions, and municipalities. The initiative emphasizes a commitment to diversity and inclusion, aligning with ERIE's corporate values.

About Us

United Way is the glue, connecting all sectors of the community who share our goal of making southwestern Pennsylvania a thriving place. We solve problems by convening experts, including affected communities, to ask how communities we all love and belong to can thrive. We catalyze giving. With nearly 100 years of expertise in community needs, companies and individuals give to United Way because they know that their investments go farther when they do. We are a hub of volunteering and engagement, providing meaningful opportunities year-round with our partner agencies to demonstrate the difference that’s made by giving back. Our 211 contact center connects people in need to vital human services in times of crisis. We organize collaborations and special projects to provide unparalleled opportunity for everyone to understand what’s holding our community back and how we can create change together.

IMPACT Award for Volunteer Service

Tell us about an outstanding volunteer whose dedication, compassion and commitment have made a meaningful difference in your organization and community.

The IMPACT Award honors extraordinary volunteers whose service has created a lasting positive impact on the lives of others. By completing and submitting the IMPACT Award nomination, your agency becomes eligible to receive a $15,000 or $5,000 grant from United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania in honor of your volunteer.

Award History

Originally established in 1992 as the Senator John Heinz Award, this recognition was created by United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Tocqueville Society to honor a local volunteer whose service reflected Senator John Heinz III’s commitment to strengthening communities and supporting local individuals and families.

Renamed the IMPACT Award in 2024, the award continues its long tradition of celebrating volunteers who exemplify the spirit of service and create meaningful change in our region. The award highlights the vital role volunteers play in advancing nonprofit missions and strengthening communities.

Award Criteria

This award honors an individual who exemplifies volunteerism and whose commitment to bringing hope, promise and opportunity into the lives of others has left a lasting positive impact on a person, group or community at large.

The Best Buy Teen Tech Center is offering a Mini Tech Skills Workshop Grant to support local and national non-profits in providing STEAM skills workshops for youth aged 13-19. These workshops, which include topics such as coding, filmmaking, and robotics, aim to enhance technical skills and career exploration. Funding can reach up to $24,999, with a focus on hands-on, facilitator-led experiences, and additional programming opportunities may be considered.

The McElhattan Foundation focuses on expanding educator diversity to improve educational outcomes for students of color in Allegheny County. Despite students of color comprising 37.6% of the local student population, only 4.6% of teachers are of color. The foundation seeks proposals that enhance access to teacher preparation programs, promote recruitment and retention of teachers of color, and build collaborative partnerships, with a goal to ensure all students benefit from diverse educators.

The Allegheny County Bar Foundation (ACBF) addresses the justice gap in Allegheny County by providing grants to innovative organizations supporting families in need. In 2022, ACBF awarded $60,000 to six legal aid programs focused on critical issues such as refugee services and tenant rights. The grant process includes a Letter of Inquiry followed by in-person pitches to ACBF Fellows, fostering creative proposals aimed at enhancing legal representation for underserved communities.