Grant Opportunities
Foundation-Directed Grantmaking
The Pittsburgh Foundation is committed to helping the communities we serve become equitable and vibrant places where everyone can thrive. We align our grantmaking with resident’s dreams for themselves, their families and their communities and prioritize support in the five focus areas listed below.
To learn more about our grant-making focus areas, select one of the following:
Basic Needs
We seek to improve the stability of low-income people by supporting direct assistance to obtain food, housing, health care, mental health supports, child care, education and employment.
Equity and Social Justice
We seek to support civic participation and community organizing to achieve policy changes.
Environmental Action
We seek to protect the health of our communities and the preservation of our environment.
Arts and Culture
We seek to strengthen small-to-mid-sized arts organizations and support individual artists by fostering a diverse, healthy and just arts ecosystem.
Application Deadlines
2025 Grant Deadlines
| Foundation-Directed Grants | Application Deadlines* |
|---|---|
| Spring grant cycle | Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 by 5 p.m. (for funding decision after May 9) |
| Fall grant cycle | Tuesday, July 15, 2025 by 5 p.m. (for funding decisions after Oct. 29) |
*Dates above apply to most grant programs. If dates differ, they will be listed on the program page. Dates may be subject to change. The Foundation may adjust the timing of grants in consideration for funding.
Additional Grant Opportunities
Medical Research
Medical research funding is designated to support rigorous research across a broad spectrum of diseases, including various types of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, AIDS, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, geriatrics and blindness.
Raymond C. and Martha S. Suckling Fund
Provides funding to support the lives of low-income residents in Sewickley, Pa., and the surrounding communities.
The Social Justice Fund
The fund was created to support efforts to increase the engagement, power and influence of community members affected by economic inequality.
Serving Seniors in Allegheny County
The Serving Seniors in Allegheny County funding opportunity is intended to support organizations that help older adults to live as independently as possible with safety and dignity.
The Bennett Prize
This arts prize awards $50,000 to an artist to create their own solo exhibition of figurative realist paintings.
The Charles E. Kaufman Foundation Fund
The mission of the Kaufman Foundation is to support fundamental research in biology, chemistry and physics at Pennsylvania institutions of higher education.
Small and Mighty Grants
The Small and Mighty Grants Program aims to help small, neighborhood-based nonprofits that work to better our region.
Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh
Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh funds individual artists, artist residencies, nonprofit organizations or community-based programs that present and/or produce the art of Africa and the African diaspora.
Exposure Artists Program
Sponsored by The Pittsburgh Foundation and Opportunity Fund, the Exposure Artists Program was created to cultivate and fund the creative practice of a diverse array of artists and advocates.
Carol R. Brown Creative Achievement Awards
The awards provide annual grants, one to an Established Artist and one to an Emerging Artist living and working in the southwestern Pennsylvania region in recognition of exemplary artistic achievements and promise of future work.
The William S. Dietrich Funds of the Pittsburgh Foundation
These funds support charitable programs primarily in the communities of Conneaut Lake and Greenville, Pennsylvania.
Sally Kalson Courage in Journalism Award
The Sally Kalson Courage in Journalism Fund was created to honor Kalson’s legacy by recognizing those journalists who have a passion for their work and a commitment to bold, honest story-telling.
Grant Guidelines
See eligibility criteria, our funding priorities, grant types, duration and award amount ranges.
How to Apply for Grants
Learn how to apply for funding through the Foundation's online grant application portal.
Stay informed about grant opportunities
Sign up to receive email updates on available grants and news about funding opportunities at the Foundation.