OVERVIEW: The Henry L. Hillman Foundation supports the food economy, technology and new business models, the innovation ecosystem, Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods, inclusive and participatory democracy and maternal and child health in Pittsburgh and Southern Pennsylvania.
FUNDING AREAS: Local economy, technology and new business models, the innovation ecosystem, Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods, inclusive and participatory democracy, maternal and child health
IP TAKE: This foundation sees Pittsburgh as the perfect urban laboratory and primed for innovation, so focus program pitches on strengthening the city to grow and prosper.
PROFILE: Established in 1964, the Henry L. Hillman Foundation is a family foundation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is one of several foundations that is part of a group of Hillman Family Foundations. Henry L. Hillman was a businessman and civic leader who served on the board of directors of the Hillman Company and chaired the Hillman Family Foundations for many years. The family company became a founding partner in an early and influential venture capital firm. The foundation aims to “inspire, invest in and leverage great ideas and initiatives for outcomes that improve the quality of life in Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania.” It funds local efforts for the food economy, technology and new business models, the innovation ecosystem, Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods, inclusive and participatory democracy and maternal and child health.
The Henry L. Hillman Foundation’s focus on the local food economy involves improving production, distribution and access to healthy foods. Innovation advancement and increasing the effectiveness of nonprofits are also important to this funder. Innovation ecosystem grants target workforce development initiatives, while neighborhood grants focus on investments in housing and public infrastructure. Democracy grants help make Pittsburgh a more equitable region, and maternal/child grants help lower the rates of premature morbidity and mortality for vulnerable mothers and children.
Grants range between about $10,000 and $500,000. The foundation recently pledged $25 million to the University of Pittsburgh for biomedical research and other initiatives, and it allocated grants totaling $7 million to support 57 Pittsburgh-area arts and cultural organizations impacted by COVID-19. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on the city of Pittsburgh and other communities in southwestern Pennsylvania. Other past local grantees include the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum, Allegheny Valley School and the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits and requires that grantseekers follow its online application process. The foundation typically reviews applications on a weekly basis and does not have any submission deadlines. The foundation’s board of trustees meet as often as every quarter or at least annually to approve new requests. Direct general questions to the staff at foundation@hillmanfo.com or 412-338-3466.
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