Most Recent Publications

2008 Grantee Perception Report Category: Organizational Date: 4.14.2008 To our Web site visitors: Last fall, the Center for Effective Philanthropy, a widely respected, independent surveyor of grantee opinions for foundations, conducted its second survey since 2005 of Heinz Endowments grantees. The results compiled by the Boston-based center are reported in detail here but the overall assessment is mostly positive. It is gratifying to see that so many of the participants perceive our involvement to be beneficial. However, we also see very clearly that there are a few areas, particularly with respect to our written communications with you, where we were not rated above the median – and we are working diligently to better our performance. Our goal is to see opinions of our grantees in line with or exceeding national benchmarks in every area. Since 2003, the center has surveyed more than 40,000 grantees of 208 foundations on their perceptions of their funders. These surveys have been compiled into a set of norms that the center uses to help individual foundations interpret feedback from grantees relative to how other foundations are viewed by their grant recipients. The center conducted a survey of 265 Endowments grantees and compared the results with norms for all foundations and for a comparison group of 15 large, regional foundations. According to the resulting Grantee Perception Report, “grantees rate the Endowments higher than the median foundation on the quality of their interactions with the Endowments – fairness of treatment of grantees, their comfort approaching the Endowments when a problem arises, and the responsiveness of foundation staff. Grantees refer to interactions as ‘overwhelmingly positive and productive’ when commenting on their relationship with the foundation.” The CEP research team also reported that the Endowments is rated above the median foundation for its effectiveness in creating social impact. “Grantees also rate it higher than typical for its impact on grantees’ fields, local communities and organizations, for advancing knowledge in their fields, for its effect on public policy, and for its understanding of their goals and strategies.” The survey points to helpfulness of written communications as a specific area for improvement, although personal communications with grantees by Endowments’ staff is rated higher than the typical foundation. Overall, on the measure of clarity of communications of goals and strategy, grantees rate the Endowments above the median foundation. The Endowments staff considers the responses on its communications performance important and will be contacting grantees for ideas on how to improve its written materials, especially those connected to application and evaluation. We are adding enhancements to our Web site this year that we expect to help in our effort to improve how grantees communicate with us. To help grant applicants understand what we look for in organizations that we consider funding, we have posted assessment guidelines and evaluation planning questions on our Web site. And in an effort to promote even greater organizational transparency, it now also features the Endowments’ financial audits and 990-PF forms. We also will continue to use our award-winning h magazine to share stories about our successes and lessons learned in our effort to improve the lives of residents in the region. I invite you to read this report and send any comments or questions to our Web site information address: info@heinz.org; Sincerely, Robert F. Vagt View PDF

2008 Small Arts Initiative Application Guidelines Category: Arts & Culture Date: 1.23.2008 2008 Application guidelines for the Small Arts Initiative, designed to encourage the work of small, locally based arts organizations. View PDF

Return to top

2008 Summer Youth Philanthropy Internship Application Category: Children, Youth & Families Date: 12.10.2007 Application for the 2008 Summer Youth Philanthropy Internship.  Due Feb. 1. View PDF

Life Chances: The Case for Early Investment in Our Kids Category: Children, Youth & Families Date: 12.10.2007 Author: The American Prospect In a Special Report, "Life Chances: The Case for Early Investment in Our Kids," The American Prospect highlighted the need to sustain the investment in children's Prekindergarten education to support strong Third Grade outcomes. One article in this report, "Pre-K Politics in the States" by Kate Sheppard is of particular importance to our state. This special report was funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Schott Foundation for Public Education, the Foundation for Child Development, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, the William Penn Foundation, and The Heinz Endowments. View Link

Return to top

h Magazine - Fall 2007 Issue (Special Air Quality Issue) Category: Organizational Date: 11.16.2007 Magazine Issue: Fall 2007 This special issue of h magazine explores the perplexing nature of the Pittsburgh region's air quality problem.  The following stories are contained in this issue: "Trouble in the Air" - Pittsburgh has come a long way since Boston Author James Parton described it in 1868 as "Hell with the lid off," but while the skies look cleaner, some community nonprofit and government leaders are grappling with how to address the unhealthy levels of microscopic pollutants that earned the region the second-worst ranking in the country for fine-particulate air pollution. By Jeffery Fraser "Air Forces" - During the past century, these individuals and organizations pressed for cleaner air in Pittsburgh. by Reid R. Frazier and Jeffery Fraser "Polluted Politics" - Despite Pittsburgh's past environmental triumphs and its recent poor showing in a national air pollution survey, many local leaders in the region don't appear to be making better air quality a top priority. By Carmen Lee and John Altdorfer "Taking Action" - Practically everything we buy, drive or eat affects air quality.  While public officials, business leaders and environmental activists debate the issue, there are plenty of things we can do in our homes and at work to make the air safer.  Here are 10 examples. By Feid R. Frazier NOTE: This is a large file and will require a few minutes to download. Individual sections are also available to download from this Library (below). View PDF

Trouble in the Air Category: Organizational Date: 11.15.2007 Author: Jeffery Fraser Magazine Issue: Fall 2007 Pittsburgh has come a long way since Boston author James Parton described it in 1868 as "Hell with the lid off," but while the skies look cleaner, some community nonprofit and government leaders are grappling with how to address the unhealthy levels of microscopic pollutants that earned the region the second-worst ranking in the country for fine-particle air pollution.  By Jeffery Fraser View PDF

Return to top