The Heinz Endowments joins foundations shifting millions to emergency needs during pandemic

Western Pennsylvania’s largest grant-making foundations are banding together to get money quickly into the hands of those who need it the most to survive the coronavirus pandemic and statewide shutdown.

They’re shifting funding priorities, earmarking new pots of money toward covid-19 emergency relief for things like food, shelter and protective gear. They’re sharing updates on the places and communities with the greatest immediate needs.

The Heinz Endowments announced Wednesday an “initial wave” of emergency grants totaling $2.34 million. Of the first funding round, The Pittsburgh Foundation will get $1 million to form the “Emergency Action Fund,” an effort in collaboration with the Richard King Mellon and Hillman Family foundations.

“We are dealing with a sweeping social and economic catastrophe unlike anything any of us has seen before, and our front-line nonprofits and local government have been overwhelmed by demand for essential human services,” Grant Oliphant, president and CEO of The Heinz Endowments, said in a statement. “As a community, we must respond quickly and effectively to bring help and to mitigate hardship wherever and however we can.”

The Heinz Endowments is expediting its grant approval process for “organizations at the forefront of maintaining critical programs and services, especially those designed to help the most vulnerable, as well as for public health agencies and nonprofits preparing for an anticipated onslaught of demand.”

More funding is in the pipeline.

Among nonprofit recipients of the first wave of emergency grants to address the covid-19 crisis:

• United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania received $350,000 to double staffing for its 2-1-1 helpline and supporting families dealing with layoffs and food needs.

• Global Links, a medical relief and development organization, will get $190,000 for the sourcing, manufacturing and distribution of high-quality emergency face masks and shields to protect safety net workers and vulnerable communities, including low-income, homeless, elderly and at-risk populations.

• 412 Food Rescue, a food recovery and redistribution organization, received $170,000 for food distribution and support service to people in need.

• Community Kitchen Pittsburgh, a workforce development nonprofit that trains individuals in food services, was awarded $100,000 for emergency food distribution programs.

• Bridgeway Capital, which helps finance projects that benefit underserved communities, was awarded $100,000 to support small businesses impacted by the pandemic.

• Casa San Jose, a community resource center for Latinos who have recently arrived in the Pittsburgh region, received $100,000 to respond to emergency needs.

• Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council received $100,000 toward an emergency fund for artists.

• ACTION-Housing, which provides affordable housing and related services, will get $70,000 to support staff, delivery of food and emergency supplies and transportation.

• Farm to Table Buy Local, which connects Western Pennsylvania farms and other food and beverage producers with local consumers, received $40,000 to provide food delivery in affordable housing, including senior and family communities.

• 1Nation Mentoring, a youth mentoring and education nonprofit, was awarded $35,000 to support staff, programs and community engagement.

• Macedonia Family and Community Enrichment Center, a faith-based community outreach nonprofit, will get $30,000 for emergency services and costs associated with staff displacement.

• Bellevue Initiative for Growth and Revitalization, a community development corporation, received $25,000 to deliver food to the elderly and individuals struggling financially.

• For Good Pittsburgh, which promotes diversity, inclusivity and positive experiences for underserved populations, was awarded $20,000 toward getting essential supplies to families in need.

• Fishes and Loaves Cooperative Ministries, which provides fresh, healthy and reasonably priced food to the Greater Hazelwood community, received $13,000 to provide nutritious food to the elderly and food-insecure families and individuals in greater Hazelwood and Greenfield.