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 Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, Executive Director of Women for a Healthy Environment. Hear how their research, education and awareness-building about environmental hazards have helped drive a transformative journey to more knowledge, organizing and better health for thousands in SWPA and beyond.

Listen to the "We Can Be" podcast
Inside Philanthropy shines light on Endowments’ community-focused climate work

Facing major environmental concerns on a community level is key to the Endowments’ work to build an exemplary, sustainable Pittsburgh region where everyone prospers and belongs. A recently published article by Inside Philanthropy highlights this work and how the foundation’s efforts to support the transition away from an extractive, carbon-polluting economy to a climate-friendly region and economy is gaining national attention.

Read the Inside Philanthropy article
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
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
Endowments grants $1 million for region’s emergency food access

The Heinz Endowments has awarded $1.1 million in grants to provide emergency food assistance to southwestern Pennsylvania residents experiencing urgent needs because their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have been delayed during the government shutdown. The funds are directed to three local organizations that have been on the frontlines of the food crisis affecting vulnerable individuals and families across the region.

Read the media release
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

Our Stories

 

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