About New Philanthropic Leaders

The New Philanthropic Leaders Fund is an initiative of the Foundation’s Center for Philanthropy with the goal of developing the next generation of Pittsburgh philanthropic leaders.
 

Over the last decade, Pittsburgh has experienced a renewal of prosperity across the region. Economic growth, however, hasn’t reached everyone. Research indicates that for 30 percent of residents—those living near, at, or below the federal poverty line and in under resourced geographic areas—the new opportunities in Pittsburgh are inaccessible. These challenges have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic fallout, as well as by the crisis of racial injustice. Those of us lifted by Pittsburgh’s economic resurgence can’t afford to leave our neighbors behind—especially people of color and others who have been excluded in the past. Our continued growth and social cohesion depends on building a Pittsburgh where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

New Philanthropic Leaders (NPL) is an annual initiative of The Pittsburgh Foundation’s Center for Philanthropy with the goal of developing the next generation of Pittsburgh’s philanthropic leaders. Each year, a cohort of 15-25 early and mid-career professionals, ages 25-40, dedicate their time and resources to improve the Pittsburgh region through philanthropy. NPL members make a donation of $250, $500, $750 or $1,000 to the New Philanthropic Leaders Fund, and with professional guidance and financial support from The Pittsburgh Foundation, embark on a year-long philanthropic learning journey, focused on the following goals:

1. MAKING PITTSBURGH WORK FOR ALL
   Understanding the challenges facing our city and learn about local nonprofit and social impact organizations and strategies addressing these challenges.
2. REDEFINING YOUR PHILANTHROPY
   Learn about new best practices in philanthropy and how they might intersect with your personal giving to inform your community involvement, now and in the future. 
3. COLLECTIVE GIVING FOR COLLECTIVE IMPACT 
   Pool your NPL donation together with other NPL members, your community and The Pittsburgh Foundation to amplify the impact of your grantmaking. 
4. RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND NETWORKING
   Netowrk and build relationships with a diverse group of other young and mid-career professionals motivated to make a difference in our city. 
5. GETTING OUT THERE
   Visit new neighborhoods, nonprofits and spaces around Pittsburgh to see philanthropy and community work in action.

The year of learning culminates in an inspiring "pitch-in" party. The New Philanthropic Leaders cohort selects local nonprofit organizations to receive their pooled funds and invites the selected organizations to attend a “pitch-in” party to share their mission. NPL members invite family, friends and colleagues to attend the “pitch-in” party. As part of the ticket for the party, each attendee donates $20 to one of the three organizations being celebrated. Each nonprofit gets to keep the amount donated by the attendees and is also awarded a grant from the New Philanthropic Leaders Fund.

The New Philanthropic Leaders Fund is an opportunity for participants to do more than write a check. Members bring their own experiences and expertise to the conversation, where they learn about critical community needs and then partner with nonprofits working on the issues that affect our region.

A match to amplify the impact of your gift.

The Pittsburgh Foundation is proud to provide a $25,000 annual match to the New Philanthropic Leaders Fund so that your giving goes even further. In addition, your gift is fully tax deductible,* and The Pittsburgh Foundation has waived its typical fund fee to ensure that every penny of your donation reaches the nonprofits you and your cohort select over the course of the year.

If you are a young professional living in Westmoreland County, consider joining our sister organization, the Visionaries donor group of the The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County.

Members may receive sponsorship from their employer. If you are interested in being sponsored, or sponsoring a group of your employees, contact us.  Please note, this program does not accept participation from nonprofit professionals due to the potential for conflicts of interest.

sign up to become
a New Philanthropic Leader

The application opens on Oct. 1, 2024, and the deadline to apply is Jan. 10, 2025. Applicants will be notified on a rolling basis beginning in December and continuing through January 2025. 

CONTACT US

Please contact Katie Belonus at 412-394-2655 or belonusk [at] pghfdn.org (belonusk[at]pghfdn[dot]org).