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.

 

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THE News

Pittsburgh local news awareness campaign launches

Press Forward Southwestern Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh Media Partnership (PMP) have teamed up to highlight the strength and collaboration of more than 40 news organizations across southwestern Pennsylvania.

Read the media release
Study: Air pollution in Pittsburgh region responsible for 3,500 deaths in 2019

The Allegheny Front reports on a new study that found air pollution in the Pittsburgh region was responsible for up to 3,500 deaths in 2019. The study found that even air quality considered safe by regulators led to premature deaths. 

Read the full report
New Endowments “We Can Be” podcast episode

Subscribe, listen and share episodes on all major podcast platforms. Use search term "Heinz We Can Be."

Andy Conte, founding Executive Director of the Center for Mefia Innovation at Point Park University and author of "Death of the Daily News: How CItizen Gatekeepers Can Save Local Journalism," joins Heinz Endowments President and “We Can Be” host Chris DeCardy for this episode of “We Can Be.”

Listen to the "We Can Be" podcast
Grantee Feedback Posted Online

As part of The Heinz Endowments commitment to transparency, results from a Grantee Perception Report are now available on this website. The report was developed, administered and evaluated by the Center for Effective Philanthropy and based on feedback from 356 grantee representatives in a 2024 survey about the Endowments. Also posted with the survey results are the full report and a recording of a webinar with participating grantees.

GPR Documents and Webinar Recording
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. 

 

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

More information about clean technology
h Magazine, 2025 Issue

The 2025 issue of h magazine showcases the breadth of Heinz Endowments' investments across western Pennsylvania, with stories spanning environmental organizations celebrating milestone anniversaries, veteran workforce transitions and an internationally recognized arts collective rooted in African cosmologies.

Read the latest issue of h Magazine

Our Stories

 

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