In The News
UpPrize kicks off big: apply now for the social innovation challenge
UpPrize is sponsored by The Forbes Funds with challenge partners BNY Mellon and Bridgeway Capital. Comcast is the official media/technology sponsor.
Day of Giving recovery event raises $2.1M
The Pittsburgh Foundation’s extended Day of Giving raised about $5.1 million for nonprofits, including $2.1 million through the 16-hour recovery event on Sept. 21.
Grants, donations, volunteers revitalize Latrobe's streetscape
Rotary Club of Latrobe and Community Foundation of Westmoreland County grants funded a new kiosk and parklet on Ligonier Street. The kiosk features segments of the city's history, claims to fame and a map.
Out & About: Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce awards luncheon
The chamber presented $2,500 to Phil Koch with the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County to kick off next year's Day of Giving.
UpPrize challenges innovators of all ages to help solve social problems
Anyone can submit an idea, from students to budding entrepreneurs to small business owners, and winners will get cash prizes between $10,000 and $300,000 as well as technical and organizational support to execute plans. The contest began taking applications this month with a Nov. 30 final submission deadline. “It's only been two weeks in, and we've already gotten some really interesting, solid ideas,” said Kate Dewey, president of The Forbes Funds, the nonprofit consulting arm of The Pittsburgh Foundation and a founding partner of UpPrize.
Finding a cause: seven Pittsburgh groups making a difference
The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Heinz Endowments — which have partnered on grant programs for nearly 30 years — now support the Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh grant program twice each year; the program provides funding for local artists, residences and organizations. In the spring, 13 applicants were awarded $202,480 in grants. Germaine Williams, senior program officer for arts and culture at The Pittsburgh Foundation, says the program is important given Pittsburgh’s history with jazz, theater and dance.
Frontiers Conference to draw Obama, top scientists and researchers to Pittsburgh
“When the White House pitched us at the end of July on this idea of what if these two universities helped President Obama host a conference to discuss these ideas, we were of course thrilled,” said Rick Siger, CMU’s director for strategic initiatives who is helping pull the conference together. But they could not do it alone, and the universities reached out to local companies, as well a dozen of Pittsburgh’s largest charitable foundations for advice and financial assistance.
Civil rights leader, Congressman Lewis to speak at Wilson Center
Noted civil rights activist and Congressman John Lewis will discuss his life experiences during a discussion Saturday at the August Wilson Center on Liberty Avenue, Downtown.
$2M endowed chair at Pitt to further research into rare disease amyloidosis
The Caliguiri Fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation is giving $460,000, combined with a $275,000 grant from the Simeon M. and Katherine Reed Jones Fund to help launch the chair. A similar amount is expected from the University of Pittsburgh.
Forbes Funds expands executive-in-residence program
The Forbes Funds is expanding its executive-in-residence program, an initiative launched in 2014 that has thus far provided assistance to 100 Allegheny County nonprofits. The organization is increasing the number of retired executives who mentor nonprofit leaders from one to five. By doing so, it hopes to help more organizations and better address specialized issues.