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ROY A. HUNT FOUNDATION

Roy A. Hunt Foundation

Contact information:
1 Bigelow Square, Suite 630
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-3030
Phone: 412-281-8734
Fax: 412-255-0522
Email: info@rahuntfdn.org

Website: http://www.rahuntfdn.org/index.shtml

Type of foundation: Independent 

Types of grants: Annual campaigns, capital, endowment, general/operating support.

Description: The Foundation was established in 1966 by the will of Roy Arthur Hunt. Its predecessor, the Hunt Foundation, was founded in 1951. These two foundations officially merged in 1994. The Foundation works to improve the quality of life through grants for education, the arts and cultural programs, social services, the environment, health services, community development and youth violence prevention. The Foundation makes more than 500 grants each year, most of which are for general operating support (made through the General grants program). Grants are made through the following programs:

  • General Grants: The Foundation supports a broad range of organizations reflecting the diverse interests of individual trustees. Most grants are awarded for general operating support in the areas of arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services, international affairs, public affairs and religion.
  • Special Initiatives: These grants are made in the areas of community development, environment and youth violence prevention. Special Initiatives grants have more focused objectives than General grants.
  • Next Generation Fund: This program encompasses giving by the trustees who are great-grandchildren of the founder, Roy A. Hunt. Grants have been made in support of arts and culture, education, international affairs, development and peace.

Sample grants:

  • $33,333 to New Hampshire Public Radio, Concord, NH for capital campaign (2007).
  • $30,000 to WGBH Educational Foundation, Boston, MA for Breaking New Ground: Campaign for WGBH (2007).
  • $15,000 over three years to Chicken & Egg Pictures, New York, NY (2009).
  • $10,000 to WQED Multimedia, Pittsburgh, PA for general operating support (2007).
  • $7,500 to WGBH Educational Foundation, Boston, MA for general operating support (2009).
  • $5,000 to Maine Public Broadcasting Network, Lewiston, ME (2006).
  • $5,000 to New Hampshire Public Television, Durham, NH for general operating support (2007).
  • $2,000 to From the Top, Boston, MA in general operating support (2009). 

Fit for public broadcasting: The Foundation has made 41 grants for radio/television projects over the past seven years, totaling more than $304,167. Most media grants are made through the Arts and Culture funding area of the General grants program.

Eligibility: Giving primarily in Boston, Massachusetts and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Foundation also makes some grants nationally. 

Deadline(s):

General grants: April 15 and September 15.

Special Initiative grants: March 1 and August 1.

How to apply: Initial approach should be by letter of inquiry which may be submitted at any time. An overview of the types of grants available and how to apply is available here.  

If invited to submit a proposal, applicants should follow the proposal guidelines, which include a required application form. Previously funded organizations requesting General grants are only considered in November and do not require a preliminary letter of inquiry, an invitation to submit or a full proposal. However, previously funded organizations seeking Special Initiative grants should send a letter of inquiry to the Foundation's Executive Director. Organizations submitting a proposal for a capital campaign should include the fundraising strategy for the campaign, list of foundations and confirmed or pending grant status. The Foundation accepts application forms from Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania and Associated Grantmakers.

Giving range: The average gift for radio/television projects is approximately $7,500. The Foundation has made gifts as high as $110,000.  

Assets: $61,164,427 (2009)

Total giving: $3,190,720 (2009)