W. Howard Larkins Fund
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W. Howard Larkins Fund helps to keep families together and provide essential services to children.
The W. Howard Larkins Fund was established by Mr. Larkins in his last will and testament after his death in 1976. He left all of his assets to The Pittsburgh Foundation to establish a fund that provides for “the care of orphaned boys to help them obtain a start in life and to widowed mothers with small children to help them keep their family together.”
Larkin indicated that no discrimination shall take place on the basis of the “race, creed, color or religion of the beneficiary.” The Larkins fund was intended to focus on Westmoreland County, the Ligonier Valley and the city of McKeesport.
Like other funds at the Foundation, the Larkins Fund’s purpose has adapted over time to the ever changing needs of the communities it serves. Since orphanages fell out of heavy use in the mid 20th century, the fund has focused on providing other services to children such as housing and child care. The fund has maintained its priority of keeping families together by making grants to the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, Jewish Family and Children's Service, the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg and other area nonprofits.
He was an active community member. In 1955 he ran as a candidate for Ligonier Township Roads Supervisor. In his youth, he played church basketball for Mount Washington Baptist Church. Larkins was also a coin collector.