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HEINZ ENDOWMENTS

Heinz Endowments

Contact information:

30 Dominion Tower
625 Liberty Avenue, 30th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3115
Phone: 412-281-5777
Fax: 412-281-5788
Email: info@heinz.org

Website: http://www.heinz.org/ 

Type of foundation: Independent foundation

Types of grants: Capital, endowment, equipment, general/operating support, capacity building, challenge support, program-related investments/loans, program, seed money, technical assistance.

Description: The Heinz Endowments was formed in 2007 from the merger of the Howard Heinz Endowments, established in 1941, and the Vira I. Heinz Endowment, established in 1986. Howard Heinz was formerly the president of H.J. Heinz Company. (The Foundation is completely separate from the H.J. Heinz Company.) Vira I. Heinz was married to Clifford S. Heinz, son of Henry J. Heinz, founder of the food processing company. Vira Heinz was a founder of the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, president and principal benefactor of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony and a member of the Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society, Pittsburgh Opera and Pittsburgh Symphony Society boards.

The Heinz Endowments is based in Pittsburgh, where it uses the region as a laboratory for the development of solutions to challenges that are national in scope. Although the majority of giving is concentrated within southwestern Pennsylvania, it makes some statewide and national grants. The Foundation makes grants in the following areas:

  • Arts and Culture: The program works to promote the overall vitality of Pittsburgh's cultural sector and its relevance to civic life. Specific goals include: expanding arts learning and participation by supporting arts education programs in schools and community settings; building creative capital by supporting the community's small arts organizations and programs that provide resources to local artists; advancing Pittsburgh as a cultural center through regional revitalization efforts.
  • Children, Youth and Families: The program seeks to ensure that children and adolescents are fully prepared to succeed in school and in life. Grants support early education; programs that promote meaningful learning opportunities and positive youth development for school-age children during non-school hours; and programs that emphasize the role of parents as teachers (e.g., through educational involvement and parental responsibility). 
  • Education: The program seeks to influence an emerging school-reform agenda in the region. Grants support enabling Pittsburgh-area schools to advance student achievement; training and incentives for high-quality teachers and principals; and improving teaching and learning through the use of technology.
  • Environment: The program promotes environmental quality and sustainable development by supporting efforts to eliminate waste, harness the power of the market and create an economy that promotes environmental and social justice. Grants support responsible land use and sustainable development; prevention of human health problems through environmental protection and toxin reductions; growing the market for environmentally friendly products; and protection of biodiversity and water quality.
  • Innovation Economy: The program works to support the growth of a vibrant regional economy anchored in southwestern Pennsylvania's major research universities, medical centers, corporate and government laboratories and cultural organizations. Grants support regional economic development and job creation; programs that advance economic opportunity for low-income populations; and public policy and regional planning efforts that foster a competitive business environment for sustainable industry.

Sample grants:

  • $350,000 to WQED Multimedia, Pittsburgh, PA to upgrade digital production center to high definition equipment (2007).
  • $150,000 to Virginia Organizing Project, Charlottesville, VA for 'Environminute' radio and podcast program (2006).
  • $100,000 to WYEP Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA for continued support of Allegheny Fronts weekly environmental program (2008).
  • $26,000 to Family Communications, Inc. to support "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" Days (2009).
  • $15,000 to Squonk Opera, Pitcairn, PA for Phase One of Big Bang Broadcast (2007).

Fit for public broadcasting: The Endowments has made 37 grants for radio/television projects over the past four years, totaling more than $1.8 million. Environmental coverage is a strong fit for the Endowments.

Eligibility: Giving primarily within southwestern Pennsylvania. Funding for projects outside Pennsylvania is generally only at the specific request of the Foundation. No support for for-profit organizations. No grants to individuals. 

Deadline: February 1 (for spring board meeting) and August 1 (for fall board meeting)

How to apply: Initial approach should be by online application. Applicants should not submit full proposals unless they have been asked to do so by a representative of the Endowments.  

Giving range: The average gift for radio/television projects is approximately $50,000. The Foundation has made gifts as high as $13 million.

Assets: $1,205,528,000 (2008) 

Total giving: $65,000,095 (2008)

View 2008 Annual Report.