Flint and Us

Catastrophes like the Flint water crisis could happen in Pittsburgh, if we ignore the needs of our community and believe that public health and prosperity cannot go hand-in-hand. Endowments President Grant Oliphant writes about why Flint matters and how the principles of p4: People, Planet, Place and Performance need to guide us in our growth as a modern city.

The Pittsburgh Region Diversity Survey

A new Endowments-supported report from Vibrant Pittsburgh finds our city less diverse than other major cities, and that minorities often do not feel they have good workforce experiences.  Endowments President Grant Oliphant talks about why we need to change these perceptions in our quest for an inclusive Pittsburgh for all in his blog post. Read the full report here.

We Say No More

“We Say No More,” written by Christine H. O’Toole. Domestic violence should not happen to anyone — anytime, anywhere. Organizations across the Pittsburgh region are uniting around efforts to support safe havens for victims of abuse and to promote initiatives to prevent the violence from happening.

Fusion in Sight and Sound

“Fusion in Sight and Sound,” written by Jeffery Fraser. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is serving up live classical music with a side of jazz, pop rock and even barbecue as it tries to beef up concert attendance.

Fixing Our Heroes Welcome

“Fixing Our Heroes Welcome,” written by Jeffery Fraser. Soldiers returning from war need constructive support rather than a confusing web of services. A new public–private network is making it easier for veterans to navigate a path to civilian success.

Assessing STEM

“Assessing STEM,” written by Tom Imerito. As leaders across the country emphasize the importance of STEM education in the 21st century, Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Science Center has created new tools to help schools determine whether their STEM programs are working.

Curtain Rising

“Curtain Rising,” written by LaMont Jones. After more than a year marked by bankruptcy, sporadic programs and the threat of a severely reduced Downtown presence, Pittsburgh’s August Wilson Center for African American Culture is making a comeback thanks to philanthropic and community support.

Air Measures

“Air Measures,” written by Megha Satyanarayana. The Speck air quality monitor, developed at Carnegie Mellon University, fits in your hand, but it also lets you know how much pollution surrounds you.

What We Breathe

“What We Breathe,” photographed by Brian Cohen, Scott Goldsmith, Annie O’Neill and Lynn Johnson. The images from the photography exhibition “In the Air: Visualizing what we breathe” provide a startling look at the pollution affecting people every day in western Pennsylvania.

A collaborative effort promises new development in Hazelwood

Pittsburgh Public Schools turned down a large offer to sell Gladstone School in Hazelwood in favor of a group of community organizations dedicated to building a major asset in this changing Pittsburgh neighborhood. Program Officer Eric Stoller talks about why this is a game-changer in his blog entry.

Oil Train Response 2015 - Speaker Videos Available

The “Oil Train Response 2015: Community Risks & Solutions Conference,” was a one-day summit hosted and sponsored by The Heinz Endowments, that examined health and safety concerns over the major increase in oil train traffic through densely-populated communities in the Pittsburgh region. The event took place on Friday, Nov. 13, at Wyndham Pittsburgh University Center in Oakland. It included presentations from a range of more than 20 experts across the U.S., including local elected and government officials, civic leaders, regulators, academics and researchers, and representatives of nonprofits and interested organizations.  All speaker videos are now available.

Needs Assessment: Veterans in Southwest Pennsylvania

A new assessment by the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), commissioned by The Heinz Endowments, finds that immediately after leaving military service, Pittsburgh-area veterans are struggling with issues pertaining to education, access to benefits and economic security. Read the full report.

Bridges to Opportunity

A Heinz Endowments-funded study by the Washington, D.C.-based Urban Institute has found that because of longstanding structural barriers, Pittsburgh has been overlooking the assets and potential of African American men in the region. “Barrier & Bridges: An Action Plan for Overcoming Obstacles and Unlocking Opportunities for African American Men” also provides recommendations to business and civic leaders for addressing these roadblocks. Read the key findings summary and the full report.

Heinz Endowments Social Media

The Heinz Endowments is now on social media! Please join the discussion on Facebook and Twitter as we talk about our programs and initiatives, philanthropy, Pittsburgh and a whole lot more. We’d love to connect with you and share ideas and inspiration!

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