New Downtown headquarters for The Pittsburgh Foundation to serve as regional convening hub
Donors, grantees and stakeholders to utilize new space to accelerate solutions to challenges facing southwestern Pennsylvania
PITTSBURGH (Feb. 18, 2025) – The Pittsburgh Foundation will open its new headquarters at the riverfront edge of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District on Feb. 28, 2025, recommitting its presence to the Downtown neighborhood after nearly 30 years in PPG Plaza and evolving its operations to focus on catalyzing partnerships and welcoming new audiences.
In its new offices, the Foundation aims to convene donors, grantees, organizers, community leaders and other stakeholders from across southwestern Pennsylvania to learn about and create solutions to pressing local challenges. By emphasizing convening, the Foundation combines two essential elements of its operations: working with everyday citizens to help them realize their philanthropic goals and directing grants to nonprofit organizations that are on the ground serving our neighborhoods.
“Our new, highly visible headquarters renews The Pittsburgh Foundation’s 80-year commitment to improving quality of life in our communities, neighbor by neighbor,” said Foundation President and CEO Lisa Schroeder in announcing the opening. “The headquarters is intentionally designed as a hub where stakeholders – both new and familiar – will gather and collaborate to forge paths to a future Pittsburgh where all residents have the opportunity to thrive.”
The Foundation’s new headquarters covers the top two floors of 912 Fort Duquesne Blvd. between the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and the Creative and Performing Arts Magnet school and was built to encourage stakeholder partnership. Designed by Moss Architects, the form and function will provide community members with an inspiring environment and support The Foundation's capacities in donor services, grantmaking, advocacy, national coalition building, state and federal funding, and impact investing.
“We are pleased and proud to be working with the Foundation to create new office space that will help it contribute even more to improving quality of life in the region,” said Bill Hunt, president and CEO of Elmhurst, when the Foundation announced its intention to move. Elmhurst manages 912 Fort Duquesne Blvd. “We believe that staff and visitors will get a lot of energy from that section of Downtown, which already is a center for public gatherings and learning. And the Foundation itself will have more visibility. It will be a wonderful addition to the block.”
The Foundation’s name and logo installed at the top of the building’s exterior will serve as a beacon to the community that The Pittsburgh Foundation is more accessible than ever before.
“The goal is to have key stakeholders – particularly donors and grantees – active with each other, and the signage is an invitation for more in the community to join us,” said Jennie Zioncheck, the Foundation’s senior Vice President for Partnerships. “Our vision is to fill the space with people, ideas and conversation, creating a vibrant hub of activity. We acknowledge that achieving this will require time, trust and intention.”
“We hope the Foundation’s move within Downtown will further reinforce the neighborhood as a commercial, nonprofit and cultural anchor of the Pittsburgh region”, said Foundation Chair, Jack McGinley. “We are excited that the office opening is happening simultaneously with numerous investments to reinvigorate Downtown, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 10-year plan and outdoor investments planned by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust to boost the district as a destination for festivals and performances."
Years before this development was announced, Foundation leaders considered a new home for the organization as headcount increased and its lease at PPG Plaza neared completion. They concluded Downtown continues to be the most accessible destination best place to conduct business, increase partnerships, ensure accessibility and maintain the Foundation’s reputation as an organization that enables donors and grantees to become impactful change agents in southwestern Pennsylvania.
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