The McKamish Family Foundation concentrates its giving in the Pittsburgh area on higher education and health-related programs, with a willingness to make very large gifts to institutional partners and targeted support to community health and faith-based service providers. Most dollars flow to the University of Pittsburgh (two major gifts), while the foundation also funds pediatric psychosocial services and a local faith-based ministry, suggesting interest in both institutional research/education and direct community care. Its pattern reflects strategic, high-dollar investments rather than many small grants.
The Mckamish Family Foundation’s largest recent awards went to the University of Pittsburgh, with two $450,000 general-support grants in 2023. That scale sits at the top of a pattern that combines institutional support with neighborhood-based giving in Pittsburgh. Alongside higher education, the foundation has funded pediatric psychosocial care through Children’s Hospital Child Life Specialist and community ministry through Caring Hearts Ministry, both also receiving repeated support. Its recent grants show a strong preference for general support, with dollars moving to schools, hospitals, faith-based service providers, and local charities rather than narrowly restricted projects. The foundation’s giving is especially visible in Pittsburgh, where many recipients are based, but its portfolio also includes organizations outside the immediate area such as Convoy of Hope in Springfield, Missouri, and JDRF in New York. That mix suggests a funder that balances local commitments with selective support for broader nonprofit partners, while keeping a clear emphasis on education, health, and community care.
In higher education, The Mckamish Family Foundation made two $450,000 general-support grants to the University of Pittsburgh in 2023, making campus-level support a defining part of its recent activity. Health-related giving is another clear thread: Children’s Hospital Child Life Specialist received $150,000 in 2025 and multiple $75,000 grants in 2023 for general support, indicating sustained backing for child-focused hospital services. Community service is also present in the grant list. Caring Hearts Ministry received $120,000 in 2025 after prior grants of $115,000 and $100,000 in 2023, while St Anthony’s received $45,000 in educational support in 2025 after earlier $75,000 gifts. The foundation also supported Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Light of Life Ministries Inc, and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh through general-support grants.
Typical grant sizes are modest relative to the largest awards: the distribution sits at $4,125 at the 25th percentile, $7,000 at the median, and $12,000 at the 75th percentile. The grant list also shows a small number of much larger commitments, including several six-figure gifts. Recipients often appear in more than one year, with repeated support going to organizations such as the University of Pittsburgh, Caring Hearts Ministry, Children’s Hospital Child Life Specialist, St Anthony’s, and JDRF. The foundation is a family foundation, and the grants shown are overwhelmingly general support, with one educational-support award among them.
$471K
$12.6M
$2.9M
$549K
Most grants fall between $4K and $12K, with a median of $7K.
25th Percentile
$4K
Median
$7K
75th Percentile
$12K
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Highly concentrated: a small number of large grants (two very large gifts to a single university account for the majority of dollars), repeat funding to select grantees, and targeted sizable awards to local health and faith-based nonprofits.
Notable grantees: University of Pittsburgh, Caring Hearts Ministry, Children's Hospital Child Life Specialist
Grantmaking is heavily centered in Pennsylvania, which accounts for 79% of grants and is the top state by grant count. Pittsburgh is the clearest hub, with many recipients located there, including the University of Pittsburgh, Children’s Hospital Child Life Specialist, Caring Hearts Ministry, St Anthony’s, Light of Life Ministries Inc, and Family Guidance. The foundation also gives to nearby Duquesne through Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and to Wall, Pennsylvania through Cornerstone TV. Outside Pennsylvania, grants in the recent list went to Springfield, Missouri and New York, New York.
The recent grants point to higher education, pediatric hospital support, and local community services. The University of Pittsburgh received two $450,000 general-support grants in 2023, Children’s Hospital Child Life Specialist received $150,000 in 2025, and Caring Hearts Ministry received $120,000 in 2025 after earlier grants in 2023.
The grant-size distribution is $4,125 at the 25th percentile, $7,000 at the median, and $12,000 at the 75th percentile. The list also includes a smaller number of much larger awards, including six-figure grants.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including the University of Pittsburgh, Caring Hearts Ministry, Children’s Hospital Child Life Specialist, St Anthony’s, and JDRF. That suggests repeat support rather than one-time giving only.
Pennsylvania is the top state by grant count, with 79% of grants going to recipients in the state. Pittsburgh is the main city in the recent list, with additional Pennsylvania recipients in Duquesne and Wall.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST | PITTSBURGH, PA | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CARING HEARTS MINISTRY | PITTSBURGH, PA | $120,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION | PITTSBURGH, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST ANTHONY'S | PITTSBURGH, PA | $45,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT |
| CONVOY OF HOPE | SPRINGFIELD, MO | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FAMILY GUIDANCE | PITTSBURGH, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LIGHT OF LIFE MINISTRIES INC | PITTSBURGH, PA | $12,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CORNERSTONE TV | WALL, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHRISTIAN COUNSELORS COLLABORATIVE | PITTSBURGH, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JDRF | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JONATHANS FOREVER YOUNG RUN | GIBSONIA, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION / COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION |
| COMMISSION TO EVERY NATION | KERRVILLE, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY INC | RYE BROOK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| CHOICES PREGNANCY SERVICES | CORAOPOLIS, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BACKPACK FOR HUNGER | PITTSBURGH, PA | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| PRISM | PITTSBURGH, PA | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE | CHICAGO, IL | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| STEPHEN'S HULKSTERS ANGEL FUND | GIBSONIA, PA | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| FOX FAMILIES CARE | PITTSBURGH, PA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STORY COLLECTIVE CHURCH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| CARING HEARTS MINISTRY | PITTSBURGH, PA | $120,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST | PITTSBURGH, PA | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST ANTHONY'S | PITTSBURGH, PA | $75,000 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT |
| ALLEGHENY HEALTH NETWORK (AHN) | PITTSBURGH, PA | $52,000 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION | PITTSBURGH, PA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LIGHT OF LIFE MINISTRIES INC | PITTSBURGH, PA | $12,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CORNERSTONE TV | WALL, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JDRF | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FAMILY GUIDANCE | PITTSBURGH, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CROSSPOINT CHURCH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $8,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREATER PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY FOOD BANK | DUQUESNE, PA | $7,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE | CHICAGO, IL | $7,300 | 2024 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION OF WESTERN PA | PITTSBURGH, PA | $5,000 | 2024 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| COMMISSION TO EVERY NATION | KERRVILLE, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY | PHOENIX, AZ | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHOICES PREGNANCY SERVICES | CORAOPOLIS, PA | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MERCY CHEFS | PORTSMOUTH, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| THE NETWORK OF HOPE INC | ALLISON PARK, PA | $3,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PRISM | PITTSBURGH, PA | $2,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INDUSTRIAL ARTS WORKSHOP | PITTSBURGH, PA | $1,000 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL CONTRIBUTION |
| STORY COLLECTIVE CHURCH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| FOX FAMILIES CARE | PITTSBURGH, PA | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $450,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $450,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CARING HEARTS MINISTRY | PITTSBURGH, PA | $115,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CARING HEARTS MINISTRY | PITTSBURGH, PA | $100,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST ANTHONY'S | PITTSBURGH, PA | $75,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST | PITTSBURGH, PA | $75,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST ANTHONY'S | PITTSBURGH, PA | $75,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
CARING HEARTS MINISTRY
$120,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST ANTHONY'S
$45,000EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
CONVOY OF HOPE
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FAMILY GUIDANCE
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CORNERSTONE TV
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHRISTIAN COUNSELORS COLLABORATIVE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JDRF
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JONATHANS FOREVER YOUNG RUN
$5,000EDUCATION / COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION
LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY INC
$5,000MEDICAL RESEARCH
CHOICES PREGNANCY SERVICES
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BACKPACK FOR HUNGER
$2,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
PRISM
$2,000GENERAL SUPPORT
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
$2,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
STEPHEN'S HULKSTERS ANGEL FUND
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
FOX FAMILIES CARE
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
STORY COLLECTIVE CHURCH
$1,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
CARING HEARTS MINISTRY
$120,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST ANTHONY'S
$75,000EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
ALLEGHENY HEALTH NETWORK (AHN)
$52,000MEDICAL RESEARCH
CORNERSTONE TV
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CROSSPOINT CHURCH
$8,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHOICES PREGNANCY SERVICES
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE NETWORK OF HOPE INC
$3,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PRISM
$2,000GENERAL SUPPORT
STORY COLLECTIVE CHURCH
$1,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
FOX FAMILIES CARE
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CARING HEARTS MINISTRY
$115,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CARING HEARTS MINISTRY
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST ANTHONY'S
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST ANTHONY'S
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT