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The Irene C Shea Charitable Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.2M
Grant Range
$7K - $0.3M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,159,425 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $7,000 - $270,000
  • Median Grant: $35,000
  • Geographic Focus: Pennsylvania (primarily southwest PA) and Illinois
  • Total Assets: $22,198,634

Contact Details

Address: 500 1st Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-3128
Phone: 412-603-7006
Website: www.pnc.com (foundation managed by PNC Bank)
EIN: 25-6410108

Overview

The Irene C. Shea Charitable Foundation was established in 1993 as a family foundation in Pennsylvania. Named after Irene C. Shea (1914-2012), a Pittsburgh philanthropist and wife of the late C. Bernard Shea, the foundation continues her legacy of charitable giving in the region. With total assets of approximately $22.2 million, the foundation distributed $1,159,425 through 30 grants in 2024. The foundation is managed by PNC Bank NA, which serves as co-trustee alongside family members Thomas J. Hickey and Susan Hickey. As a private family foundation, it focuses its giving on education, human services, and philanthropy/voluntarism, primarily supporting nonprofit organizations in southwest Pennsylvania and, to a lesser extent, Illinois. The foundation has demonstrated consistent grant-making activity, with 27 awards in 2023, 21 awards in 2022, and 22 awards in 2021.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates without distinct grant programs or application cycles. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees throughout the year.

  • Grant Range: $7,000 - $270,000
  • Median Grant: $35,000
  • Recent Grant Recipients: Carlow University ($75,000 total received)
  • Application Method: No public application process

Priority Areas

Based on IRS Form 990-PF classifications, the foundation's grant-making focuses on:

  • Education: Support for educational institutions and programs
  • Human Services: Organizations providing social services and community support
  • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking: Support for charitable infrastructure and giving

Geographic Focus

  • Primary: Southwest Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh region)
  • Secondary: Illinois

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a private family foundation, they likely limit funding to the priority areas listed above within their geographic focus areas.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

  • PNC Bank NA - Co-Trustee (professional trustee services)
  • Thomas J. Hickey - Co-Trustee
  • Susan Hickey - Co-Trustee

Foundation Management

The foundation is professionally managed by PNC Bank, which provides trustee services for approximately 200 perpetual charitable trusts and private foundations in the Pittsburgh region. PNC's Charitable Trusts division oversees grant distribution and fiduciary responsibilities while the family co-trustees maintain involvement in grant-making decisions.

Foundation History

Named after Irene C. Shea, who passed away in 2012 at age 98. Mrs. Shea was known as a generous Pittsburgh philanthropist who, along with her late husband C. Bernard Shea, established this foundation to continue their charitable legacy in the community.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, grants are awarded through trustee discretion rather than through competitive application cycles or open solicitation of proposals.

The foundation appears to identify grant recipients through existing relationships, trustee knowledge of community organizations, and potentially through its connection to PNC Bank's broader charitable activities. Organizations are not able to submit unsolicited applications through a formal process.

Application Success Factors

Understanding This Funder's Approach

Since The Irene C. Shea Charitable Foundation operates without a public application process, the following factors appear relevant based on available information:

  • Geographic alignment: The foundation shows clear preference for southwest Pennsylvania organizations, particularly in the Pittsburgh area, with secondary interest in Illinois
  • Established organizations: Grant recipients appear to be well-established nonprofits with strong community presence, such as Carlow University
  • Focus area alignment: Organizations working in education, human services, or philanthropic infrastructure align with the foundation's documented priorities
  • Relationship-based giving: As a family foundation with co-trustees involved in the Pittsburgh community, grants likely flow to organizations known to the trustees or recommended through trusted networks
  • Professional management: With PNC Bank serving as co-trustee, the foundation benefits from professional oversight and may consider organizations within PNC's broader charitable network

Grant Size Strategy

With grants ranging from $7,000 to $270,000 and a median of $35,000, the foundation demonstrates flexibility in grant sizing. This suggests they may provide:

  • Smaller grants ($7,000-$25,000) for specific projects or programs
  • Mid-range grants ($25,000-$60,000) for general operating support
  • Larger grants ($60,000+) for capital campaigns, major initiatives, or long-standing partnerships

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation awards grants through trustee discretion only; there is no formal application portal or proposal submission process
  • Relationship-driven: Grants appear to be awarded to organizations known to the trustees or within the foundation's existing network
  • Geographic focus matters: Strong preference for southwest Pennsylvania, particularly Pittsburgh-area organizations
  • Consistent giving pattern: The foundation has maintained steady grant-making with 21-30 grants annually over recent years
  • Professional management: PNC Bank's involvement as co-trustee suggests professional oversight and potentially connection to PNC's broader charitable activities
  • Mid-sized grants dominate: With a median grant of $35,000, the foundation appears to focus on meaningful but moderate-sized awards
  • Limited public information: As a private family foundation, minimal information is publicly available beyond IRS Form 990-PF filings

References

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