Elizabeth H. Brainerd established the fund in memory of her father Benjamin Harris who passed away in 1952.
Benjamin was the former President of U.S. Steel's Tubular Products, Inc. During his life, one of the issues he cared about deeply was the provision of emergency medical services in developing countries like Haiti. In keeping with his wishes, the fund made $65,000 in grants to support relief efforts in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010.
Two grants went to organizations with strong ties in Pittsburgh: Hospital Albert Schweitzer, a clinic outside of Port-au-Prince that was spared by the earthquake and continues to provide critical medical care, and Brother's Brother, located on Pittsburgh's North Side, which collected medical supplies, including antibiotics, surgical packs, surgical instruments and other requested equipment.
The fund continues to support health care for the poor and medical services in primitive and foreign lands. It is also extended to disabled and infirm children, and the arts, including symphonic music and the collection, preservation and the exhibition of fine arts.