Andrew Hillman Foundation releases over $4 million in emergency grants

The Henry L. Hillman Foundation announced Friday that it was awarding more than $4 million in grants to help organizations that are fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than $1.3 million was awarded to public health and human service organizations, with $1 million being given to the Pittsburgh Foundation’s Emergency Action Fund. Additionally, $350,000 was given to Allegheny County for any immediate needs it may have.

“Our board convened right away wanting to offer what we could to assist with the immediate medical, health, safety and human services needs in the community,” David K. Roger, president of Hillman Family Foundations, said in a press release. “We can’t say enough to thank the Allegheny County Executive, Departments of Health and Human Services, our hospital systems, the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and nonprofit organization partners who have been working 24/7 to respond to COVID-19.”

Of the other funds being distributed, more than $1.6 million will go toward basic needs supporting organizations which includes a sum of $350,000 each to United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and 412 Food Rescue.

Gap funding support for minority and women-led businesses or nonprofits will see a combined $700,000 in donations including $250,000 each to Bridgeway Capital’s emergency fund and the City of Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority, among other organizations.

The foundation said the primary focus of its initial wave of donations was to give funds to basic needs groups that address the population’s public health and safety. Providing support to help restart organizations that have been impacted by COVID-19 and focusing on structural recovery from the health, economic and social impacts of the pandemic will be a part of the foundation’s focus during its second and third wave of funding, respectively.