John H Pelusi Jr And Kathleen J Pelusi Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $302,000
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Trustee discretion
• Grant Range: $150,000 - $151,000
• Geographic Focus: Pittsburgh, PA

Contact Details

• Phone: 412-281-8714
• Address: 501 Grant St Ste 450, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-4427
• Website: None available
• Email: None available

Overview

The John H Pelusi Jr And Kathleen J Pelusi Family Foundation is a Pennsylvania private foundation established in 2014 with total assets of $6.4 million. The foundation serves as the philanthropic vehicle for John and Cathy Pelusi, prominent Pittsburgh philanthropists with deep ties to the University of Pittsburgh and Catholic social services. John Pelusi, a former center on Pitt's 1976 NCAA National Championship football team and former CEO of HFF Inc., brings 38+ years of commercial real estate expertise and extensive board service to the foundation's leadership. The foundation makes annual grants of approximately $302,000, focusing on youth development, education, and student-athlete support in the Pittsburgh area.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes consistent annual grants to pre-selected organizations:

• Holy Family Foundation: $151,000 (scholarships for students in financial need and hardship fund support)
• University of Pittsburgh Athletics: $151,000 (mentorship and life skills programs for student-athletes)

Priority Areas

• Catholic education and youth services
• Student-athlete development and mentorship
• Life skills programs for young people
• Financial aid and scholarships for students in need
• Pittsburgh-area youth development

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and limits funding to organizations where trustees have existing relationships and board involvement.

Governance and Leadership

John H. Pelusi Jr. (Founder/Trustee): University of Pittsburgh alumnus with bachelor's and master's degrees, former CEO and Vice Chairman of HFF Inc., and extensive board service including 25 years on Pitt's Board of Trustees, UPMC Trustee, Holy Family Institute Board, and Manchester Bidwell Corporation Board. Member of Pitt's Cathedral of Learning Society, recognizing lifetime giving of $1 million+.

Kathleen "Cathy" J. Pelusi (Co-Founder/Trustee): Active community volunteer dedicated to educational and charitable organizations, also a member of Pitt's Cathedral of Learning Society.

The Pelusi family has made philanthropy a multi-generational commitment, with at least two of their four children continuing the tradition of giving back to the University of Pittsburgh.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded at trustee discretion to organizations where the family has established relationships, typically through board service or long-standing personal connections.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations seeking support should focus on building relationships with John or Cathy Pelusi through:

• John Pelusi's board affiliations at Holy Family Institute and Manchester Bidwell Corporation, where he actively serves
• University of Pittsburgh alumni networks, particularly those connected to athletics and student development programs
• Pittsburgh business and philanthropic circles, leveraging John's extensive commercial real estate network
• Catholic education and social service organizations in the Pittsburgh area where the Pelusis have demonstrated interest

Decision Timeline

Grants appear to be made annually with consistent support to the same beneficiaries year over year.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable as the foundation does not accept public applications.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's giving patterns, organizations most likely to receive support share these characteristics:

• Direct connection to John Pelusi through board service or professional relationships
• Located in Pittsburgh with focus on local impact
• Alignment with the Pelusis' demonstrated interests in Catholic education, student-athlete development, or youth services
• Track record of effectively using previous grants from the foundation
• Organizations where the Pelusis can see direct impact and maintain ongoing involvement

The foundation's consistent support of Holy Family Institute, where John serves as a board member, and the University of Pittsburgh, his alma mater where he served 25 years as a trustee, demonstrates the importance of personal relationships and board-level involvement.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a relationship-based foundation requiring personal connections to the Pelusi family
• Focus on building relationships through John Pelusi's board positions at Holy Family Institute or Manchester Bidwell Corporation
• The foundation makes predictable annual grants of approximately $150,000 to each of two primary beneficiaries
• Total philanthropic impact extends well beyond the foundation, with the Pelusis making significant direct gifts including $2 million to Pitt Athletics
• Pittsburgh-based organizations with youth development or education focus have the strongest alignment
• Consider approaching through mutual connections in Pittsburgh's philanthropic community rather than direct solicitation
• The foundation operates as a structured vehicle for existing philanthropic commitments rather than seeking new grantees

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - John H Pelusi Jr And Kathleen J Pelusi Family Foundation (accessed March 2024)
• University of Pittsburgh Chronicle: "Pitt Trustee John Pelusi Cares Deeply About Student-Athletes' Lives On and Off the Field" (accessed March 2024)
• Pitt Panthers Athletics: "Pelusi Family Extends Philanthropy at Pitt through Gift to Life Skills" (August 10, 2020)
• Cause IQ Foundation Database (accessed March 2024)
• Holy Family Institute organizational information (accessed March 2024)
• JLL Pittsburgh - John Pelusi professional profile (accessed March 2024)
• GrantExec Foundation Database (accessed March 2024)