Hillman Family Foundations

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $90,274,318 (2023)
Assets: $1,865,996,880
Number of Awards: 843 grants (2023)
Grant Range: $50 - $7,500,000
Average Grant: ~$103,000
Geographic Focus: Primarily Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania; also Oregon, New York, and California
Decision Time: 2-3 months (quarterly board approval)
Application Method: Rolling basis with weekly reviews

Contact Details

Hillman Family Foundations 310 Grant Street, Suite 2000 Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Phone: (412) 338-3466 Fax: (412) 338-3463 Email: foundation@hillmanfamilyfoundations.org Website: www.hillmanfamilyfoundations.org

Note: Hillman Family Foundations is an umbrella organization. Applicants should contact the specific individual foundation that best matches their mission.

Overview

Hillman Family Foundations was established in 1965 and reorganized in 2009 as the administrative umbrella for 18 individual foundations associated with the extended Hillman family. With assets exceeding $1.8 billion, this Pittsburgh-based philanthropic powerhouse has awarded over 5,153 grants totaling $561,499,511 since 2020. The organization provides administrative services including foundation operations, program management, compliance, and investment oversight to support the philanthropic and civic work of multiple generations of Hillman family members. Each of the 18 constituent foundations makes strategic, programmatic, and funding decisions independently according to their respective program and geographic interests. The foundations collectively focus on arts and culture, health and medicine, education, economic development, equity, human services, conservation, animal welfare, environmental causes, and abortion access, with particular emphasis on the Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania region.

Funding Priorities

The 18 Individual Foundations

Each foundation has its own distinct focus areas:

Hillman Foundation: Arts and culture, health and medicine, education, economic development, human services, and conservation (Pittsburgh and Southwestern PA)
Henry L. Hillman Foundation: Arts and culture (visual arts focus), health and medicine (research focused), education (higher education focus), economic development, human services, conservation, and technology. Includes six strategic portfolios with "Aging Well" initiatives supporting healthy aging, caregiving, aging in place, and leveraging assets of older adults (Pittsburgh and Southwestern PA)
Mary Hillman Jennings Foundation: Healthcare, human services (disabilities focus), and education (Pittsburgh and Southwestern PA)
Audrey Hillman Fisher Foundation: Human services (women and children focus), healthcare, conservation, education, and arts (Pennsylvania, California, New Hampshire)
Elsie H. Hillman Foundation: Community development, health, education, human services, arts, and environment, with priority for women, minorities, and civic leadership programs (Pittsburgh and Southwestern PA)
William Talbott Hillman Foundation
Dylan Todd Simonds Foundation
Henry John Simonds Foundation
Henry Lea Hillman, Jr. Foundation
Juliet Ashby Hillman Foundation
Juliet Lea Hillman Simonds Foundation
Justin Brooks Fisher Foundation
Lilah Hilliard Fisher Foundation
Matthew Hillman Fisher Foundation
Nina Baldwin Fisher Foundation
Polk Foundation
Summer Lea Hillman Foundation
Talbott and Carter Simonds Foundation

Recent Grant Examples (2024-2025)

Highmark Health: $1.75 million for "SUPPORT for Seniors" initiative to help older adults use health technology (Henry L. Hillman Foundation, 2025)
eiNetwork: $150,000 to upgrade network switches in Allegheny County libraries (Henry L. Hillman Foundation, 2025)
eiNetwork: $130,000 for wireless network infrastructure in Allegheny County libraries (Henry L. Hillman Foundation, 2024)
Formica ProtoFab: $75,000 for airport mapping tool commercialization (2025)
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh: $1 million (arts grant)
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: $5 million for streetscape and open space improvements
Mon Valley Initiative: $2.7 million for economic development
August Wilson African American Cultural Center: $125,000
Children's Museum of Pittsburgh: $250,000
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre: $250,000
Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council: $60,000
Pittsburgh Trust for Cultural Resources: $500,000

Priority Focus Areas

The foundations collectively prioritize:

Economic Development: Helping residents escape poverty, regional economic growth
Arts & Culture: Financial health of arts organizations, cultural institutions
Education: Pre-K-12 outcomes improvement, higher education support
Environment & Conservation: Regional trails and parks, conservation initiatives
Healthcare: Medical research, senior health and technology, accessibility improvements
Human Services: Women and children, disabilities support, community services
Technology: Digital infrastructure, innovation in healthcare and public services
Equity: Support for marginalized populations, civic leadership programs

Geographic Focus

Primary focus on Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, extending to the surrounding nine counties of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Individual foundations also fund projects in Oregon (Portland area), New York, California (Santa Barbara), and New Hampshire.

Governance and Leadership

Hillman Family Foundations provides centralized administrative oversight while each of the 18 individual foundations maintains independent boards and decision-making authority. The foundations continue the legacy of the Hillman family, which has been instrumental in Pittsburgh-area philanthropy for decades. In 2017, the Hillman estate allocated $800 million to Pittsburgh-area foundations, significantly expanding the philanthropic capacity of the family foundations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Hillman Foundation and Henry L. Hillman Foundation accept unsolicited grant applications through an online grant portal. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no submission deadlines.

Important: Since Hillman Family Foundations is an umbrella organization for 18 distinct foundations, prospective applicants should:

Review the focus areas and geographic priorities of each foundation
Identify which specific foundation best aligns with their organization's mission
Submit applications through the online portal for that specific foundation
Direct general questions to foundation@hillmanfamilyfoundations.org or (412) 338-3466

Decision Timeline

Application Review: Weekly review of submitted applications
Full Grant Cycle: Typically 2-3 months from submission to decision
Board Approval: Quarterly basis
Notification: Contact from foundation staff after board decisions

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, with 843 awards made in 2023 and over $90 million distributed annually across multiple sectors, the foundations maintain an active and substantial grant-making program. The foundations have awarded over 5,153 grants since 2020, averaging approximately 1,030 grants per year.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly specified. Applicants should contact the specific foundation directly to inquire about reapplication timelines and restrictions.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Foundation Priorities

Given the structure of 18 individual foundations, selecting the right foundation for your application is critical. Carefully review each foundation's specific focus areas:

Geographic alignment (Pittsburgh/Southwestern PA vs. other regions)
Program area match (arts, education, healthcare, etc.)
Population served (women and children, seniors, disabilities, etc.)
Type of support (capital projects, operating support, research, etc.)

Recent Funding Patterns

Recent grants demonstrate the foundations' interest in:

Technology and Innovation: Digital infrastructure for libraries, health technology for seniors, mapping tools
Capacity Building: Infrastructure upgrades, network improvements, organizational sustainability
Regional Impact: Projects that strengthen Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania communities
Evidence-Based Approaches: Research-focused health initiatives, proven programs with potential for scaling
Equity and Access: Programs serving marginalized populations, improving accessibility

Strategic Portfolio Alignment

For the Henry L. Hillman Foundation specifically, demonstrate how your project aligns with one of their six strategic portfolios, particularly the "Aging Well" portfolio if relevant, which focuses on:

Supporting healthy aging
Caregiving support
Aging in place initiatives
Leveraging assets and value of older adults

Grant Size Considerations

Grants range dramatically from $50 to $7,500,000, with an average around $103,000. Recent examples show:

Large capital projects: $1 million - $5 million
Organizational capacity: $250,000 - $500,000
Program support: $60,000 - $150,000
Smaller initiatives: $20,000 - $75,000

Ensure your request is appropriately sized for your organization's capacity and the project scope.

Local Focus

The foundations demonstrate strong commitment to Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania. Applications from this region, particularly those that:

Address regional challenges (poverty, education outcomes, arts sustainability)
Strengthen local infrastructure
Build community capacity
Foster collaboration among regional organizations

appear to have strong alignment with funding priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Identify the right foundation: With 18 distinct foundations under one umbrella, carefully match your organization's mission to the specific foundation with aligned priorities before applying.
Geographic focus matters: Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania organizations receive priority. Clearly demonstrate your regional impact if you're based in this area.
Rolling deadlines with weekly reviews: Applications are reviewed continuously, allowing flexibility in submission timing. Full grant cycles take 2-3 months with quarterly board approvals.
Wide grant range: Be strategic about your ask—grants range from $50 to $7.5 million. Recent examples suggest technology infrastructure, arts organizations, and healthcare innovation receive substantial support.
Demonstrate innovation and impact: Recent grants favor projects incorporating technology, building organizational capacity, and addressing equity. Show how your project advances the field or serves underserved populations.
Use the online portal: The Hillman Foundation and Henry L. Hillman Foundation specifically use online applications exclusively. Other foundations may have different processes—confirm before applying.
Contact foundation staff: With general questions, reach out to foundation@hillmanfamilyfoundations.org or (412) 338-3466. Staff can help direct you to the appropriate foundation and clarify eligibility.

References

Accessed: December 22, 2025