The Buhl Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3.5M - $4.8M
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 6 weeks for LOI response
• Grant Range: $2,500 - $25,000 (typical); larger strategic grants up to $1M
• Geographic Focus: Southwestern Pennsylvania (primarily Pittsburgh's 18 Northside neighborhoods)

Contact Details

• Website: buhlfoundation.org
• Email: buhl@buhlfoundation.org
• Phone: 412-566-2711
• Address: Centre City Tower, Suite 2300, 650 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
• Grant Portal: Grant Interface

Overview

The Buhl Foundation is Pittsburgh's first multi-purpose foundation, established in 1927 by Henry Buhl Jr. as a memorial to his wife, Louise C. Buhl. With assets of approximately $101.9 million, the Foundation distributes $3-5 million annually through about 90-120 grants. Its mission is to "create community legacies by leveraging resources to encourage people and organizations to dream, innovate, and take action."

Since 2014, the Foundation has focused heavily on One Northside, a resident-driven, place-based initiative targeting Pittsburgh's 18 Northside neighborhoods. The Foundation also administers the Henry C. Frick Educational Fund and the McCreery Memorial Fund.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Buhl Foundation Grants: $2,500-$25,000 (typical) - Education, youth development, human services, economic development; online LOI, rolling basis
• Henry C. Frick Educational Fund: K-12 public education serving disadvantaged populations; three-year cycles
• McCreery Memorial Fund: Musical education for youth in Allegheny County; three-year cycles

Priority Areas

One Northside Five Pillars (Primary Focus):

• Education: Transforming Perry High School and fostering learning environments
• Employment: Connecting job seekers to sustainable wage opportunities
• Health: Community health outreach and access
• Place: Affordable housing, childcare, recreation
• Safety: Relationship-based policing and community trust

Regional Priorities:

• K-12 public education initiatives
• Youth development and safe environments
• Human services addressing persistent challenges
• Economic and community development innovations

What They Don't Fund

• Capital campaigns or building funds
• General operating expenses
• Fundraising events or campaigns
• Individual scholarships or fellowships
• Private foundations
• Lobbying activities
• Sectarian religious activities
• Political contributions
• Organizations outside Southwestern Pennsylvania

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

• Kim Tillotson Fleming (Chair)
• Anne Lewis (Vice Chair)
• Carolyn D. Duronio (Secretary/Treasurer)
• Quintin B. Bullock
• Robert Cherry
• Jon Koteski
• Daniel M. Rooney

Key Staff:

• Diana A. Bucco - President (since 2016)
• Susan Chersky - Senior Program Officer
• Michelle Porter - Director, One Northside

Diana Bucco led the Foundation's strategic shift toward community-driven neighborhood revitalization, stating about a recent $1M grant: "Our contribution reflects our commitment to transform Pittsburgh's riverfront park systems and reactivate Allegheny Landing, a Northside asset."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Three-step online process via Grant Interface portal:

1. Review grant limitations and eligibility
2. Submit Letter of Inquiry (LOI) online
3. Full application by invitation only

Post-grant reporting required with full program achievement and financial accounting.

Decision Timeline

• LOI response within 6 weeks
• Full application review timing varies
• Board meets regularly on rolling basis
• Frick and McCreery Funds awarded in three-year cycles

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. Recent grant volumes:

• 2024: 90 awards totaling $3,558,932
• 2023: 102 awards
• 2022: 117 awards

Reapplication Policy

No formal waiting period published. Multi-year grants are rare. Contact foundation directly for reapplication guidance.

Application Success Factors

1. Geographic alignment is critical - Must serve Southwestern Pennsylvania; strongest applications focus on Pittsburgh's 18 Northside neighborhoods

2. Frame within One Northside Five Pillars - Explicitly connect to Education, Employment, Health, Place, or Safety for Northside projects

3. Demonstrate resident-driven approaches - Show community members as leaders, not just beneficiaries

4. Articulate leverage and sustainability - Explain how Buhl funding catalyzes broader impact or systems change

5. Highlight innovation - Emphasize distinctive, scalable, or replicable approaches

6. Specify impact on disadvantaged populations - Clearly serve at-risk, underrepresented communities

7. Large grants require exceptional regional value - $1M+ grants reserved for long-standing strategic partners

8. Staff engagement doesn't guarantee approval - Pre-application dialogue is informational only

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Northside focus is paramount - Majority of funds support One Northside initiative
• Modest grant sizes - Typical range $2,500-$25,000; large grants are exceptions
• LOI is the gateway - Cannot submit full proposal without invitation
• Community-driven change resonates - Projects empowering residents preferred
• Three funds, one process - All use same LOI portal; check cycles for Frick/McCreery
• Long-term partnerships valued - Major investments reflect decades-long relationships
• Equity is explicit criterion - Organization should reflect community diversity

References

1. The Buhl Foundation Official Website. buhlfoundation.org. Accessed February 2026.
2. The Buhl Foundation Grantmaking. buhlfoundation.org/grantmaking. Accessed February 2026.
3. The Buhl Foundation Grant Application Process. buhlfoundation.org/grant-application-process. Accessed February 2026.
4. The Buhl Foundation Leadership. buhlfoundation.org/our-people. Accessed February 2026.
5. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Buhl Foundation (EIN: 25-0378910). Accessed February 2026.
6. Riverlife Pittsburgh. "The Buhl Foundation Donates $1M to Riverlife's Transformation of Allegheny Landing." October 1, 2024. Accessed February 2026.
7. Grant Interface Portal. grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=buhlf. Accessed February 2026.