Hilda M Willis Tr Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Varies by program
• Grant Range: $5,000 minimum confirmed (likely higher for capital projects)
• Geographic Focus: Pittsburgh, PA region

Contact Details

• Mailing Address: PO Box 185, Pittsburgh, PA 15230-0185
• Phone: 412-234-1634
• EIN: 25-6371417
• Website: None available
• Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Hilda M Willis Tr Foundation, also known as Willis Hilda M Foundation No 2, is a private foundation established in 1981 in Pennsylvania. The foundation operates with approximately $3.5 million in assets and focuses on supporting higher education and the arts, with special interest in organizations that were supported by Mrs. Hilda M. Willis during her lifetime. The foundation likely operates through PNC Bank as trustee, which administers approximately 200 charitable trusts in the Pittsburgh area. While the foundation maintains a low public profile, it has established notable endowed scholarship programs and supported significant capital projects at major Pittsburgh educational institutions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation has established several endowed programs:

• Hilda M. Willis Arts Scholarship (Winchester Thurston School): $5,000 annually for rising 9th or 10th graders demonstrating excellence in visual or performing arts
• Hilda M. Willis Freshman Legacy Scholarship (University of Pittsburgh): $5,000 renewable for four years for incoming legacy students
• Capital Projects: Support for facilities such as the Hilda M. Willis Academic Center at University of Pittsburgh's Petersen Events Center

Priority Areas

• Higher education institutions
• Arts education and programming
• K-12 independent schools
• Academic support services for student-athletes
• Organizations historically supported by Mrs. Hilda M. Willis

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but based on known grants, appears to focus exclusively on education and arts within the Pittsburgh region.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation operates as a private foundation filing Form 990-PF annually. Leadership and trustee information is not publicly disclosed, though the foundation is likely administered through PNC Bank's charitable trust services, which manages numerous perpetual charitable trusts in the Pittsburgh area. The most recent Form 990-PF was filed on November 1, 2022.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants appear to be made through trustee discretion based on pre-existing relationships with institutions and organizations that align with Mrs. Willis's philanthropic interests during her lifetime. Organizations seeking support typically work through established institutional relationships or through trustee connections.

Decision Timeline

Varies by the nature of the grant. Endowed scholarship programs operate on institutional academic calendars, while capital project support follows individual project timelines.

Success Rates

Not publicly available due to the private, invitation-only nature of the foundation's grant-making.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the foundation's trustee-discretion grant-making approach.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's known grant patterns:

• Strong alignment with higher education or arts education missions
• Established track record of excellence in Pittsburgh-area educational institutions
• Programs that create lasting impact through endowments or named facilities
• Focus on supporting student access to quality education and arts programming
• Historical connection to organizations supported by Mrs. Willis during her lifetime

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation operates without a public application process, making relationship-building with trustees essential
• Focus areas are clearly defined: higher education and arts, particularly in the Pittsburgh region
• Preference for creating endowed programs that provide ongoing support rather than one-time grants
• Strong emphasis on supporting established Pittsburgh educational institutions
• Capital naming opportunities appear to be of interest for significant academic facilities
• Organizations should explore connections through PNC Bank's charitable trust services if seeking to establish relationships

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Hilda M Willis Tr Foundation profile and Form 990-PF filings. Accessed February 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/256371417
• Candid Foundation Directory - Willis Hilda M Foundation No 2 profile. Accessed February 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=WILL169
• Winchester Thurston School - Merit-Based Scholarships, Hilda M. Willis Arts Scholarship. Accessed February 2026. https://www.winchesterthurston.org/admissions/financial-aid/merit-scholarships
• University of Pittsburgh Athletics - Pitt Athletics Announces Willis Academic Center Enhancement Fund. February 21, 2018. https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2018/2/21/panther-club-pitt-athletics-announces-willis-academic-center-enhancement-fund
• Cause IQ - Willis Hilda M Foundation No 2 organizational data. Accessed February 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/willis-hilda-m-foundation-no-2,256371417/
• PNC Bank - Charitable Trusts services information. Accessed February 2026. https://www.pnc.com/en/about-pnc/corporate-responsibility/philanthropy/charitable-trusts.html