About Us

Our Pittsburgh region sits at a unique crossroads geographically, politically and historically. This city has always made bold bets in industry, art and science with lasting impact. 

Our industrial era grit and innovation created vast wealth — and left environmental destruction and enduring inequality. We honor Pittsburgh's legacy while applying the wisdom from these hard truths.  

Today, the Endowments creates stability to nurture this vital work when the world feels chaotic.  We help filter the noise so leaders can develop, model and spread solutions to our major regional, national and global challenges. 

Our investments span Climate, Environment & Health; Workforce & Economic Development; Civic Participation; and Arts & Culture to strengthen a more durable, whole and just community. 

We invest in the doers and leaders who are imagining this future – and who are making this era’s bold bets to create it. 

Climate, Environment & Health  

Our region’s industrial innovation put us on the map but also left a host of environmental hazards in its wake. We are doubling down on ending that toxic environmental legacy by focusing on sustainability initiatives that provide clean air and water for all residents. Our environmental work centers on ending fossil fuel dependence and the serious health risks that come with it while building solutions to address community health. We make strategic investments in clean energy, environmental remediation and sustainable development practices. All of this is in pursuit of transforming Pittsburgh from a region defined by its industrial past into a model of environmental stewardship that leads to a healthier future for all.   

Workforce & Economic Development  

Building a living-wage workforce while ensuring stable housing that enables generational wealth-building forms the cornerstone of our regional transformation efforts. We have a deep focus on workforce development specifically targeted toward young adults, creating meaningful pathways to employment that can sustain families and power our regional economy into the future. We also are committed to helping veterans make successful transitions to civilian life, which includes obtaining good-paying jobs that use and expand their comparable skills and training from the military. Simultaneously, our affordable housing initiatives work to break cycles of economic instability by providing stable foundations that allow families to build equity and pass opportunities to the next generation.   We complement these efforts with support for initiatives that provide access to fresh, healthy food and address food insecurity in targeted neighborhoods. 

Civic Participation  

We are building and expanding our work in democracy and civic participation, ensuring that all community members feel valued and have a trusted voice in government. Our commitment to strengthening healthy democratic institutions involves creating opportunities that enable broad-based engagement across all communities and supporting independent, reliable regional journalism that helps spur transparency from our civic institutions. 

Arts & Culture  

Our investment in fostering a vibrant arts culture serves as both a reflection of our community’s world-class creativity and a catalyst for broader social change. We strengthen community bonds through increased representation in the arts and creative public spaces, ensuring that all voices and stories have platforms to be heard, celebrated and belonged. 

The operating values of The Heinz Endowments anchor our work and reflect the Heinz family’s legacy and history of philanthropic giving. Nearly 150 years ago H.J. Heinz was a pathbreaker when he insisted his business’ condiments be sold in clear glass bottles to reveal the healthy ingredients inside.  Today, our values drive us to be authentic, innovative and beneficial to everyone we serve. 

Growth-Oriented – We are committed to continually learning about the people and issues of the world. We stay self-aware, knowing everyone can improve. 

Excellence – We demand the highest standards from ourselves and our work. We build lasting, sustainable solutions backed by trusted data from diverse perspectives. 

Accountable – We take pride and ownership in our work. We're reliable partners who stay authentic, transparent and humble. 

Big Ideas – We chase game-changing opportunities that create an outsized impact. We take smart risks on solutions that transform southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond. 

Team-Focused – We seek to be inclusive, fair and kind in every interaction. We deliver tough news with compassion and celebrate when our partners shine. Our greatest wins happen together. 

If we don’t live these values, we want to know. Here’s how to give us feedback anytime.