Albert Costa, a Professor of history at Duquesne University for 30 years, established the fund. He died on February 14, 2012 at the age of 83.
Born in Hayward, California, in 1929, Albert's father was an immigrant from Portugal and his mother a first generation Luso-American. He attended California schools through college and received a Ph.D. in 1960 from the University of Wisconsin.
In 1963 he moved to Pittsburgh where he was a much beloved teacher of history at Duquesne University. Following his retirement in 1991, he wrote on American science and technology for the Oxford University Press.
The fund helps to support many charitable organizations in the region including: the Greater Pittsburgh Community Foodbank, homeless shelters, The Wish Book Project, PA Cleanways of Allegheny County and educational initiatives for children.