Stories Archive

Abstract illustration with a map, red ladder with an arrow on one end and a likeness of a person.
Stories

The right thing to do

The Pittsburgh Foundation Launches “100 Percent Pittsburgh” to build a region that includes everyone

Barbara Ferrier, a Community Foundation of Westmoreland County donor and board member, enjoys the park she helped expand and maintain.
Stories

A park for today and tomorrow

A community effort transforms Greensburg’s Twin Lakes Park.

Young man with medium brown, short, shaggy hair sits on the side of a bed. He is wearing a purple and white hooded sweatshirt with the number 99 on the front and white pants.
Stories

Beyond a place to sleep

Teens in crisis find shelter and support.

Man with short, balding gray hair standing inside, wearing a burgundy shirt and holding a folded American flag.
Stories

Angels, heroes and helping hands

The Pittsburgh Foundation’s donors fund innovative ways to support local veterans.

Man with short, dark, curly hair holds a microphone while singing into it. He is standing inside, wearing a long-sleeved dark blue shirt.
Stories

Sounds of home in the Steel City

Nonprofits foster community for immigrants and refugees.

Young woman with medium-length brown hair looks at camera while holding a small, blue hand weight next to her face.
Stories

Claire Senita’s journey forward

One donor’s mission to bring life-changing care to Pittsburgh.

Standing on left is a woman with dark blond, medium-length hair wearing an orange, collared shirt under a dark brown suit jacket. Standing on the right is a man with short, salt and pepper-colored hair wearing a dark blue suit jacket with light blue shirt and red tie.
Stories

Giving Like a grownup: Michael Duckworth

AS A WEALTH MANAGER with the Private Banking and Investment Group at Merrill Lynch, Michael Duckworth spends his time helping adult clients manage a wide range of complexities, from retirement planning to charitable giving. But in March of last year, he started thinking about tapping into the philanthropic impulse with a much younger audience: his 8-year-old daughter, Elise, and his sons, Jack and Luke, 11 and 13.

Two men standing next to a snack-filled vending machine. They are both wearing white collared shirts and ties and are holding several bags of snacks in their hands. They are both smiling.
Stories

From quarters to coats: Pete Strope and Drew Hanson

WHEN PETE STROPE SAW the Angel Tree in Weirton, West Virginia, he knew he had to do something. “It was just before the holidays, and there were still 50 or 60 angels up there,” Strope remembers. “It was terrible.” Each angel represented a child, virtually all of whom were students at the nearby Colliers Primary School and in need of Christmas gifts. Strope called his friend and business partner, Drew Hanson, and together they decided to act.