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    5. Poise Foundation
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    Poise Foundation

    ActivePhilanthropy & Voluntarism
    PITTSBURGH, PAWebsite4122814967

    About Poise Foundation

    POISE amplifies the power of Black communities to fuel transformative change and uplift pathways to self-determination and shared success.

    Focus Areas

    Racial equityEducation & scholarshipsYouth developmentCommunity developmentLeadership & advocacyFiscal sponsorship

    Who They Fund

    nonprofit organizations (programs)students/scholars (scholarship recipients)

    Funding Style

    program/project support (restricted to specific programs)scholarship funding (individual financial aid)project/operational funding (program implementation)

    About Poise Foundation

    A large share of Poise Foundation’s recent grantmaking centers on Black-led Pittsburgh institutions, with seven-figure support for Program to Aid Citizen Enterprize in both 2024 and 2025 and more than $1 million to the August Wilson African American Cultural Center in 2023. Those awards sit alongside a broader portfolio that includes arts, youth, education, advocacy, and community-building organizations across the Pittsburgh region. The foundation’s stated purpose is to amplify the power of Black communities and support pathways to self-determination and shared success, and its grant record reflects that framing in practical terms: operating support for established local nonprofits, scholarship funding for students, and smaller grants for community-based work. Among the named grantees in the recent record, Alliance for Police Accountability received multiple program-support awards across 2023, 2024, and 2025, showing that the foundation’s support can extend over several years. Other recipients include The Hear Foundation, Manchester Bidwell Corporation, and 1hood Media Academy. The mix of multi-year commitments and smaller local awards suggests a funder that works through long-standing relationships in its regional network rather than one-off transactions alone.

    What Poise Foundation Funds

    Poise Foundation supports a wide range of community priorities, but education remains a clear thread. Its scholarship programs include Opportunity Scholarship (OSTC) & Post-Secondary Scholarships, the Robert Chambers IV & Goals Scholarship Fund, and POISE General Scholarships, all aimed at students from Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. The foundation also backs youth-focused work through Urban Youth Action grants, which are designed for programs serving urban youth in the Pittsburgh region. Racial equity is another core area. Under the Human Equity & Justice Fund, Poise offers Racial Equity Seed Grants of up to $10,000 for Black-led, Black-serving organizations advancing youth leadership, development training, and intergenerational programming. The foundation also supports community-impact work through small grants for nonprofits in the Pittsburgh Region that fit POISE priority areas and support the Black community. That structure shows a blend of scholarship support, youth programming, and racial-justice grantmaking.

    How Poise Foundation Gives

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Poise Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Up to $3K

    Rapid Response Mini-Grants

    Emergency community organizingDirect action and mobilizationHealing justice+1 more

    Who can apply: Black-led, Black-serving organizations and groups; must have current 501(c)(3) or fiscal sponsor with documentation; located in Allegheny County or surrounding Black communities and primarily benefit those residents; project must address social justice issues impacting Black residents in the region.

    Not specified; intended for immediate/urgent requests.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $5.4M

    Total Assets

    $14.4M

    Total Revenue

    $5.7M

    Total Expenses

    $8.9M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $10K and $70K, with a median of $20K.

    25th Percentile

    $10K

    Median

    $20K

    75th Percentile

    $70K

    Geographic Reach

    Local9 states funded
    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    MARK LEWIS

    Accepts unsolicited proposals

    Deep Analysis

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    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceYour privacy choicesEnvironmental footprintSystem Status
    EIN (Tax ID): 25-1393426Latest Form 990: 2025Total assets: $14.4M3 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
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    Topics

    general nonprofit program fundingscholarships/academic financial aidprogram operations and delivery

    Poise Foundation’s typical grant size falls at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $70,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also shows a much wider operating-support range, from small community-impact awards to six- and seven-figure program grants. Several recipients appear more than once across multiple years, including Program to Aid Citizen Enterprize, The Hear Foundation, and Alliance for Police Accountability, which points to recurring support rather than purely one-time giving. Poise is a regular funder and a family-style community foundation profile is not indicated in the data. Some opportunities accept unsolicited applications, including certain scholarship and seed-grant programs.

    Where Poise Foundation Makes Grants

    Poise Foundation gives locally, and the recent grants are overwhelmingly concentrated in Pennsylvania. The data shows 94% of grants going to recipients in PA, with Pittsburgh dominating the recipient list and Alquippa appearing as another named city. The recent-grants table is entirely U.S.-based, with 282 grants in the United States and no non-U.S. recipient countries listed. Named local recipients include Pittsburgh-based organizations such as Program to Aid Citizen Enterprize, August Wilson African American Cultural Center, and Black Tech Nation, plus The Genesis Collective in Alquippa.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Poise Foundation

    What kinds of organizations does Poise Foundation fund?

    Poise funds nonprofit organizations, with recent support covering program support for arts, youth, advocacy, and community organizations in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. The foundation also supports scholarships for students and grant programs for Black-led, Black-serving organizations working in racial equity and community programming.

    Does Poise Foundation support students directly?

    Yes. The foundation administers scholarship programs such as Opportunity Scholarship (OSTC) & Post-Secondary Scholarships, the Robert Chambers IV & Goals Scholarship Fund, and POISE General Scholarships. These programs support students from Pittsburgh and Allegheny County attending post-secondary institutions.

    What is Poise Foundation’s typical grant size?

    The stated typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $70,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants also show smaller awards, such as community-impact grants of $1,000 to $5,000, alongside much larger program-support grants.

    Where does Poise Foundation give most often?

    Poise gives most often in Pennsylvania, where 94% of grants go to recipients in the state. The grantmaking is local, with Pittsburgh as the dominant recipient city and additional awards going to nearby places such as Alquippa.

    Are any Poise Foundation grant opportunities open to unsolicited applications?

    Yes. The data shows unsolicited applications are accepted for some opportunities, including Racial Equity Seed Grants, Post-Secondary Scholarships, Urban Youth Action Grants, POISE General Scholarships, and POISE Community Impact Grants. Other listed opportunities do not accept unsolicited applications.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Deadline:
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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    PROGRAM TO AID CITIZEN ENTERPRIZEPITTSBURGH, PA$1,208,4002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    ALLIANCE FOR POLICE ACCOUNTABILITYPITTSBURGH, PA$384,7252025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    THE GENESIS COLLECTIVEALQUIPPA, PA$142,1802025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    BLACK TECH NATIONPITTSBURGH, PA$140,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    MAYA ORGANIZATIONPITTSBURGH, PA$130,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    POORLAWPITTSBURGH, PA$110,9162025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    BIBLE CENTER CHURCH - THE OASIS PROJECTPITTSBURGH, PA$105,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    FILIPINO AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PITTSBURGHWEST MIFFLIN, PA$90,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    ZA'KIYAH HOUSE HOUSINGPITTSBURGH, PA$80,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    YOUTHPLACESPITTSBURGH, PA$80,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    SQUIRREL HILL HEALTH CENTERPITTSBURGH, PA$75,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    THE UNION PROJECTPITTSBURGH, PA$75,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    PITTSBURGH OPERAPITTSBURGH, PA$75,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    NEW HAZLETT CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTSPITTSBURGH, PA$75,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    AMACHI PITTSBURGHPITTSBURGH, PA$75,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    WOMEN IN TECH PGHPITTSBURGH, PA$75,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    WOMEN'S CENTER & SHELTER OF GREATER PITTSBURGHPITTSBURGH, PA$75,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    CASA SAN JOSEPITTSBURGH, PA$75,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF PITTSBURGHPITTSBURGH, PA$75,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    HOSANNA HOUSE INCPITTSBURGH, PA$75,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    THE BRADLEY CENTERPITTSBURGH, PA$75,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    ACADEMY FOR ARTISTIC EXCELLENCEPITTSBURGH, PA$70,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    TRADE INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGHPITTSBURGH, PA$65,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    PROTOTYPE PGHPITTSBURGH, PA$60,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    TRANSYOUNITING PGHPITTSBURGH, PA$60,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    RRR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMPITTSBURGH, PA$59,7502025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    THE MIDWIFE CENTER FOR BIRTH & WOMEN'S HEALTHPITTSBURGH, PA$55,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    PITTSBURGH GLASS CENTERPITTSBURGH, PA$55,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    BLOOMFIELD GARFIELD CORPORATIONPITTSBURGH, PA$51,6672025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S NETWORKPITTSBURGH, PA$50,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    PITTSBURGH SCHOLAR HOUSE INCPITTSBURGH, PA$50,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    CIVICALLY INCWILKINSBURG, PA$50,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    HOMEWOOD CHILDREN'S VILLAGEPITTSBURGH, PA$50,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    LET'S GET FREEPITTSBURGH, PA$50,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    SAVE A LIFE TODAY PITTSBURGHPITTSBURGH, PA$45,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT ASSOCIATION INCPITTSBURGH, PA$45,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    PITTSBURGH HARDBALL ACADEMYPITTSBURGH, PA$36,1502025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    OZANAM INCPITTSBURGH, PA$35,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    CAFE MOMENTUM PITTSBURGHPITTSBURGH, PA$35,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    FLOURISHING COMMUNITIES INCPITTSBURGH, PA$34,2412025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    ZITA'S HEALTHY BEGINNINGSPITTSBURGH, PA$30,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    25 CARRICK AVE PROJECTPITTSBURGH, PA$30,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    SOUTH PITTSBURGH COALITION FOR PEACEPITTSBURGH, PA$30,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    YMCA OF GREATER PITTSBURGHPITTSBURGH, PA$30,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    1HOOD MEDIA ACADEMYPITTSBURGH, PA$30,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    VOICES AGAINST VIOLENCEPITTSBURGH, PA$30,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    A GIVING HEARTPITTSBURGH, PA$30,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    CORNELL UNIVERSITY - COLLEGE OF VETRINARY MEDICINEITHICA, NY$30,0002025SCHOLARSHIPS
    CENTER OF LIFEPITTSBURGH, PA$25,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT
    THE KINGSLEY ASSOCIATIONPITTSBURGH, PA$25,0002025PROGRAM SUPPORT

    PROGRAM TO AID CITIZEN ENTERPRIZE

    $1,208,400
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    ALLIANCE FOR POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY

    $384,725
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    THE GENESIS COLLECTIVE

    $142,180
    ALQUIPPA, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    BLACK TECH NATION

    $140,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    MAYA ORGANIZATION

    $130,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    POORLAW

    $110,916
    PITTSBURGH, PA
    2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    BIBLE CENTER CHURCH - THE OASIS PROJECT

    $105,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    FILIPINO AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PITTSBURGH

    $90,000
    WEST MIFFLIN, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    ZA'KIYAH HOUSE HOUSING

    $80,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    YOUTHPLACES

    $80,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    SQUIRREL HILL HEALTH CENTER

    $75,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    THE UNION PROJECT

    $75,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    PITTSBURGH OPERA

    $75,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    NEW HAZLETT CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

    $75,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    AMACHI PITTSBURGH

    $75,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    WOMEN IN TECH PGH

    $75,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    WOMEN'S CENTER & SHELTER OF GREATER PITTSBURGH

    $75,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    CASA SAN JOSE

    $75,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF PITTSBURGH

    $75,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    HOSANNA HOUSE INC

    $75,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    THE BRADLEY CENTER

    $75,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    ACADEMY FOR ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE

    $70,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    TRADE INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH

    $65,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    PROTOTYPE PGH

    $60,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    TRANSYOUNITING PGH

    $60,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    RRR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

    $59,750
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    THE MIDWIFE CENTER FOR BIRTH & WOMEN'S HEALTH

    $55,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    PITTSBURGH GLASS CENTER

    $55,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    BLOOMFIELD GARFIELD CORPORATION

    $51,667
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S NETWORK

    $50,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    PITTSBURGH SCHOLAR HOUSE INC

    $50,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    CIVICALLY INC

    $50,000
    WILKINSBURG, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    HOMEWOOD CHILDREN'S VILLAGE

    $50,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    LET'S GET FREE

    $50,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    SAVE A LIFE TODAY PITTSBURGH

    $45,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT ASSOCIATION INC

    $45,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    PITTSBURGH HARDBALL ACADEMY

    $36,150
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    OZANAM INC

    $35,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    CAFE MOMENTUM PITTSBURGH

    $35,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    FLOURISHING COMMUNITIES INC

    $34,241
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    ZITA'S HEALTHY BEGINNINGS

    $30,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    25 CARRICK AVE PROJECT

    $30,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    SOUTH PITTSBURGH COALITION FOR PEACE

    $30,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    YMCA OF GREATER PITTSBURGH

    $30,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    1HOOD MEDIA ACADEMY

    $30,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    VOICES AGAINST VIOLENCE

    $30,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    A GIVING HEART

    $30,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    CORNELL UNIVERSITY - COLLEGE OF VETRINARY MEDICINE

    $30,000
    ITHICA, NY2025

    SCHOLARSHIPS

    CENTER OF LIFE

    $25,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT

    THE KINGSLEY ASSOCIATION

    $25,000
    PITTSBURGH, PA2025

    PROGRAM SUPPORT