PURPOSE:

The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County today announced plans to merge with The Pittsburgh Foundation in an initiative that is designed to strengthen its grantmaking impact, enhance services for its donors and increase support for its local nonprofit organizations.

Following unanimous approval by the boards of both foundations, proposals have been submitted for review to the Office of the Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Final authorization for the venture is anticipated within approximately three months.

Under the merger agreement the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County (CFWC) will operate as part of The Pittsburgh Foundation while retaining its identity, staff and Greensburg offices, and its responsibilities for grantmaking in the region, community engagement, donor services and developing new funds.

IMPACT:

The merger will provide CFWC with new and extensive administrative, operational and marketing resources provided by The Pittsburgh Foundation. Immediate benefits for the Westmoreland community will include:

• Lower administrative fees for donor funds. Fees will fall to an average of approximately one percent, in line with The Pittsburgh Foundation’s fees, from CFWC’s current average of approximately 1.5 percent.
• Increased funding and staff resources committed to maximizing grantmaking impact, support for nonprofit organizations and the engagement of existing and prospective donors.
• Active cultivation of regional partners to increase collaborative initiatives and expand available funding for addressing big and critical community issues.
• Enhanced efficiencies and cost-savings through The Pittsburgh Foundation’s broad back-office and support services, including finance and administration, development and donor services, grantmaking and marketing.
• Access for donors to The Pittsburgh Foundation’s more diverse and robust investment options for endowment funds.