Our Role

In an era of massive change — technological, economic, ecological — southwestern Pennsylvania has the drive and wisdom to shape our nation's future. The Heinz Endowments sustains the leaders creating this tomorrow.  

We fund nonprofits, bridge divides and share what works. We catalyze a thriving future nourished by healthy air, clean water and vibrant natural spaces for all; energized by young people equipped with skills and networks to prosper in their communities; enriched by arts that create belonging; and anchored by a democracy that works for everyone. 

 

Learn more about The Heinz Endowments

Our Strategies

At the Endowments, we approach every partnership with a learning orientation. Through evaluation, we generate insights to inform our work and contribute to related fields. We use a wide range of data sources to monitor a continuously changing world so that our strategies are context specific and maximize impact for our region. We work with our grantee partners to design evaluation and learning plans that position us to meaningfully adapt through implementation. We hold space to purposefully analyze and reflect on outcomes at the close of grant cycles, reinforcing a culture of learning and continual improvement.  

Grants

With grantmaking that averages almost $90 million annually, The Heinz Endowments is among the leading foundations in the United States. The impact of our grants lies in the possibilities they create, the critical need they address and the transformative change they help to bring about. Every grant listed here is part of that mission.

Apply For A Grant

THE News

New Endowments “We Can Be” podcast episode

Download, listen and share this new episode of our “We Can Be” podcast. New episodes every other week.

Host Chris DeCardy welcomes guest Demeshia Seals, chief executive officer of the Sarah Heinz House, established in 1901 by food entrepreneur H.J. Heinz’s son Howard Heinz in Pittsburgh as a resource for boys from immigrant families. In 1903 Sarah Heinz House had the distinction of being the first organization of its kind in the country to serve both boys and girls at a time when doing so was unprecedented. The organization has been leading the way for young people for the past 125 years.

 

Listen to the "We Can Be" podcast
Let’s Get to Work: Our Region’s Clean Technology Future

We deserve a future that brings economic opportunity for all & that doesn’t harm our environment or health. Leaders in the community (Pittsburgh Gateways Exec. Dir. Chaquita Barnett), philanthropy (The Heinz Endowments Pres. Chris DeCardy), regional government (Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato), business (SeaLion founder/CEO Reeja Jayan) and development (RIDC Senior Vice-President Timothy White) sectors lay out the benefits of working together to advance a clean technology future. We can do this. Let’s get to work! 

 

This video was produced in partnership with Treehouse Media’s Josh Franzos & Tim Murrray.

More information about clean technology
h Magazine, 2025 Issue

Our 2025 Issue of h magazine exemplified the range of investments that The Heinz Endowments has made in the people and communities of western Pennsylvania. The cover story, “In Celebration of 3,” featured three environmental organizations that are Endowments grantees and that recently celebrated milestone anniversaries. The article “Lost in Translation” described how veteran-focused nonprofits have been more successful in connecting service members to fulfilling civilian jobs after leaving the military than federal transition services. The final main story in this issue, “The Mythic Spirit in Art,” chronicled how two men’s common interest in African cosmologies led to the creation of a multi-faceted arts collective whose body of work has grown to international scope. The piece was accompanied by a sidebar, “In the Spotlight,” about an award-winning playwright in Pittsburgh who has gained national attention for his work. 

Read the latest issue of h Magazine
Request for proposals: Learning & evaluation partner opportunity

We are seeking a learning and evaluation partner for our Civic Participation strategy, which focuses on civic infrastructure, responsive local governments, and access to reliable local information. Partnership timeline is February 2026 – 2029. 

 

Application deadline: Please submit to [email protected]
by 5 p.m. EST, Tuesday, December 16. 

Read the full Request for Proposal
Why Pittsburgh is one of America’s most underrated cities to visit in 2026

Once a steel mill giant, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has revamped its image through a massive revitalization initiative to attract tourists to new places, such as the Andy Warhol Museum, where a $60 million expansion is underway to build a new performance arts venue in the hip Pop District. The downtown construction of Arts Landing—a new city park with trails, sculptures, and a performance space—will be completed in time for the 2026 NFL draft.

Read the National Geographic Story
The Heinz Endowments announces $5 million funding match commitment for major expansion of Center of Life

The Heinz Endowments has announced a $5 million funding match commitment for a major expansion of Center of Life, a community enrichment organization with nearly a quarter century of experience providing youth and family-centered programming for Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood community and surrounding neighborhoods. The expanded presence will position the organization as a cornerstone of collaboration between Hazelwood and surrounding communities and the robotics and technology partnerships Hazelwood Green has established with major universities.

Learn more about this funding match

Our Stories

 

Grounded in our history. Rooted in community. Driven to change the future.