Joe and Carol Massaro both grew up in Pittsburgh, both with relatively modest origins.  Joe's grandparents came from Italy with no education, and his father, the eldest of 12, had to leave school in 7th grade to support the family.  With a strong family behind him, Joe graduated from The University of Pittsburgh with an engineering degree. A few years later, he started a construction business.  

“When Joe started his business, we were both very young and had no idea the business would grow to what it is today,” Carol Massaro said, describing the origins of the Carol and Joe Massaro Family Fund.  “It was all because we did business in Pittsburgh.  So I think we owe something to Pittsburgh, and this is our way of giving back. 

“We absolutely love the city.  There are so many great things here, and I'm not sure that people realize how much we have -- the arts, sports, museums, organizations that help the poor.  If you can support just one of them in your own way - it doesn't have to be money - it makes it a better city for all of us.”

The Massaro family meets at the end of the year to discuss what they'd like to support.  Joe and Carol of Oakmont and their children, Linda, Joe, David and Steven are on the boards of several local organizations, and so far, the grants from their fund have been directed to many of those groups, including the City Theatre Company, Neighborhood Academy, Pittsburgh Public Theater, The Union Project, Youthworks, Little Sisters of the Poor and Oakland Catholic High School. 

Joe Massaro has a great deal of respect for local businessman Alvin Rogal, and when the two had lunch a few years ago, Rogal suggested Massaro consider the Pittsburgh Foundation. That led to a meeting with Foundation President Bill Trueheart. 

“You could have your own foundation, and we thought about that for about five seconds,” Massaro said. “The Pittsburgh Foundation does everything the way it's supposed to be done.  I feel very comfortable having the Pittsburgh Foundation handle our interests.  It's been a wonderful experience for us and the kids.”