OVERVIEW: The Heinz Endowments broadly fund work, food, community development, veterans, culture, and environmental efforts in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and beyond. Its environmental grantmaking focuses on the health and sustainability of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania, while it’s arts grantmaking prioritizes small arts outfits and minority artists.
IP TAKE: This large, regional funder is one of the “leading foundations” in the country, with, as previous applicants wrote, a “very knowledgeable” staff that “knows the community and the region extremely well.” Heinz predominately views its grantmaking through an urban lens, and the Endowments only fund organizations in the region around Southwestern Pennsylvania, specifically Pittsburgh. This funder does not take notable funding risks or provide extensive grantee support beyond funding. It is accessible, but one former applicant found it unresponsive and suggested attending a Heinz event as “a good way to network and get to know them.”
PROFILE: Led by Chair Teresa Heinz Kerry, the Heinz Heinz Endowments represents two separate funds, one founded by Howard Heinz, the other by Vira Heinz. Grantmaking has evolved towards the environment since Teresa’s son, Andre Heinz, became chairman of the board. With formidable combined assets of around $1.5 billion, Heinz is a powerhouse in Pennsylvania and its home base of Pittsburgh. The Endowments seek to “help [its] region thrive as a whole community, economically, ecologically, educationally and culturally, while advancing the state of knowledge and practice in the fields in which [it works].” It conducts grantmaking through seven priority strategies: Arts & Culture, Civic Participation, Veterans, Workforce, Food Systems, Community & Economic Development, and Climate, Environment & Health.
Grants for Climate Change and Clean Energy; Marine and Freshwater
Heinz’s Climate, Environment & Health strategy replaces its previous Sustainability program. The revamped program is focused on improving the quality of the environment in four key areas: air quality, water quality and safety, healthy environments for children, and the transition away from an extractive, carbon-polluting economy to a climate-friendly region and economy.
- Grantmaking funds renewable and alternative energy projects, programs implementing “innovative solutions” within neighborhoods and throughout the region, and initiatives to improve the quality of water in Southwestern Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams.
- Past grantees include the Clean Water Fund, 412 Justice, Pittsburgh Conservation Corps, and the Group Against Smog and Pollution.
Grants for Housing, Community and Economic Development
The Endowments support community and economic development in the Southwestern Pennsylvania region through a handful of strategy areas.
- The Community & Economic Development strategy seeks to promote “equitable community development through anti-displacement models, innovative housing solutions and strategic partnerships that keep long-time residents rooted in place while fostering sustainable growth.”
- Grants are primarily focused on developing Pittsburgh’s historic Hazelwood Green neighborhood and the adjacent Hazelwood and Glen Hazel communities.
- The Workforce strategy is centered on workforce development for young people, ages 16 to 24. It prioritizes funding for nonprofits that connect young adults with vocational training and placement into jobs that pay at least $23/hour.
- The Community Partners Fund is a time-sensitive program that works to support vulnerable communities in southwestern Pennsylvania destabilized by uncertain federal policies and programs. Grants are “awarded on a rolling basis until the funds are depleted.”
Grants for Arts and Culture
The Arts & Culture strategy is primarily aimed at supporting cultural institutions in downtown Pittsburgh and its surroundings. The foundation’s giving is based on the “importance of culture, free expression, and identity in building a healthy and equitable community.”
- Its three priority areas are: building capacity for arts nonprofits, engaging audiences, and strengthening the “region’s arts ecosystem” infrastructure.
- The strategy’s key creative initiatives include:
- Pittsburgh’s Cultural Treasures initiative supports Black-led cultural organizations. Grantees include August Wilson Center, Playwrights Theatre, Afrika Yetu, and BOOM Concepts.
- The Carol R. Brown Creative Achievement Awards initiative makes two grants every two years, one for an established artist and one for an emerging artist. Recipients must live in southwestern Pennsylvania.
- Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh is a collaboration with The Pittsburgh Foundation to support black artists, cultural institutions that promote the work of black artists, and programs that increase awareness of the arts.
Grants for Democracy and Civic Participation
The Civic Participation strategy is focused “on strengthening collaborative local governance – bringing together residents, government leaders and community stakeholders to identify problems and work together on solutions that improve people’s lives.” Grantees include 1Hood Media Academy, Mothers Of Incarcerated Sons, National Council Of Jewish Women, and Fair Elections Center.
Grants for Veterans and Military
The Veterans strategy seeks to “improve reintegration outcomes for veterans and their families and leverage their wealth of experience and knowledge for the good of the Pittsburgh region.” Previous grantees include Common Defense Education Fund, RAND Corporation, Pennsylvania State University, and Veterans Health Foundation.
Grants for Food Systems
The Endowments view food as a critical social determinant of health. Its Food Systems strategy seeks to increase access to nutritious food by removing barriers and “advancing technology and innovation that improves the efficiency and effectiveness of food recovery and distribution systems.” It makes grants to organizations that address food insecurity, support urban agriculture, and advocate for policy to remedy hunger and nutrition-related illness.” Grantees include Farm to Table Buy Local, Mwanakuche Farm, Grow Pittsburgh, and Feeding the Flock Ministries.
Important Grant Details:
Grants range widely from about $30,000 to $500,000, but can go higher or lower. It awards almost $90 million in grants annually.
- Grantseekers may review its grants database for more insights on previously funded projects and grant amounts.
- Grantseekers may apply online after completing a brief eligibility quiz.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
LINKS: