The Raymond and Elizabeth Bloch Foundation concentrates its giving on biomedical research and clinical care—particularly migraine and pain research and cancer clinical trials—while also supporting local Pittsburgh health institutions and Jewish communal organizations. It makes a small number of sizable, mission-driven awards (including multi-hundred-thousand and multi-million dollar gifts) and occasionally funds international humanitarian and peace-oriented groups.
A $2,000,000 grant to the University of Pittsburgh Dept of Neurobiology set the tone for The Raymond and Elizabeth Bloch Educational and Charitable Foundation’s recent giving: large, research-centered awards tied to migraine care and pain reduction. That grant was structured to create a series of pilot grants for migraine research projects and to expand infrastructure for multidisciplinary care of people suffering from migraine headaches. The foundation’s other major commitments point in the same direction. It gave $350,000 to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center for a developmental pilot project targeting sensory neurons for radiation-induced pain, and $250,000 to the same center for cancer research and clinical trials. The pattern is not limited to one institution or one year. Awards also went to the University of Pittsburgh’s urology and headache research units, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh departments, and Pittsburgh-based Jewish and civic organizations. The result is a grantmaking profile defined by biomedical research, clinical care, and select community support, with most grants landing in Pittsburgh and a small number directed to organizations outside the city.
Migraine and headache research is a central theme. The foundation awarded $100,000 to the University of Pittsburgh Dept of Neurobiology and Center for Pain Research to mitigate pain caused by migraine headaches and other headaches, and $50,000 to the University of Pittsburgh Headache Center for medical research to reduce pain caused by migraine and other headaches. In pain management beyond migraine, it gave $100,000 to the University of Pittsburgh Dept of Urology to continue research to control and reduce post-surgical pain, plus $25,000 to the University of Pittsburgh Dept of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine to validate new therapies for neuropathic pain relief. Pediatric and autoimmune-related care also appears in the record: Children’s Hospital Dept of Pediatric Rheumatology received $100,000 to control and reduce pain in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The foundation also funded local civic and social organizations, including The Global Switchboard Pittsburgh and Rodef Shalom Congregation.
$662K
$0
$20K
$719K
Most grants fall between $15K and $125K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$125K
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Concentrated portfolio with a few large, repeat grants to flagship local institutions (notably University of Pittsburgh and UPMC), supplemented by mid-sized gifts to community religious and humanitarian organizations; patterns show repeat funding and targeted investments in research infrastructure and clinical programs rather than many small one-off grants.
Notable grantees: University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurobiology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation, The Global Switchboard Pittsburgh, Rodef Shalom Congregation
Typical grants cluster in the middle range, with a p25 of $15,000, a median of $50,000, and a p75 of $125,000. At the same time, the foundation occasionally makes unusually large awards, including a $2,000,000 grant in 2024. The recent record shows repeated support for some recipients across multiple years, including University of Pittsburgh units, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, The Global Switchboard Pittsburgh, Save the Children, American Friends Service Committee, Jewish Association on Aging, and Rodef Shalom Congregation. The foundation is an independent charitable foundation and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. No application process is shown in the data.
The grant record is heavily concentrated in Pennsylvania: 89% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Pennsylvania is also the top state by grant count. Pittsburgh is the main city in the file, with multiple grants to University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation, The Global Switchboard Pittsburgh, Jewish Association on Aging, and Rodef Shalom Congregation. Outside Pennsylvania, the recent grants list includes Fairfield, Connecticut; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; New York, New York; and Oakmont, Pennsylvania. All listed grants in the recent sample go to U.S. recipients.
Its giving centers on biomedical research and clinical care, especially migraine and pain research, cancer research and clinical trials, and pediatric specialty care. The record also includes Pittsburgh-based Jewish communal organizations and some civic or humanitarian groups.
The typical grant sits at $50,000, with a p25 of $15,000 and a p75 of $125,000. The recent file also shows larger mission-specific awards, including a $2,000,000 grant and several awards in the $250,000 to $500,000 range.
Yes. The recent grants list shows multiple years of support to several recipients, including University of Pittsburgh units, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, The Global Switchboard Pittsburgh, Save the Children, American Friends Service Committee, Jewish Association on Aging, and Rodef Shalom Congregation.
Most grants go to Pennsylvania, which accounts for 89% of recipients in the file. Pittsburgh is the dominant city in the recent grants, with additional awards in Philadelphia, Fairfield, New York, and Oakmont.
No. The foundation’s profile indicates that it does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PITTSBURGH FOUNDATION | PITTSBURGH, PA | $500,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $150,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| JEWISH ASSOCIATION ON AGING | PITTSBURGH, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| RODEF SHALOM COGREGATION | PITTSBURGH, PA | $4,700 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PRESBYTERIAN SENIOR CARE FOUNDATION | OAKMONT, PA | $500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SQUIRREL HILL FOOD PANTRY | PITTSBURGH, PA | $500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH HILLMAN CANCER CENTER | PITTSBURGH, PA | $500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| JEWISH FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES | PITTSBURGH, PA | $500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH DEPT OF NEUROBIOLOGY | PITTSBURGH, PA | $2,000,000 | 2024 | TO ESTABLISH A SERIES OF PILOT GRANTS TO SUPPORT MIGRAINE RESEARCH PROJECTS AND TO SUPPORT GREATER INFRASTURUCTURE TO ENHANCE THE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY CARE OF PERSONS SUFFERING FROM MIGRANE HEADACHES. |
| THE GLOBAL SWITCHBOARD PITTSBURGH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $500,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| UPMC HILLMAN CANCER CENTER | PITTSBURGH, PA | $350,000 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE HILLMAN DEVELOPMENTAL PILOT PROJECT TARGETING SENSORY NEURONS FOR RADIATION-INDUCED PAIN IN ORDER TO MITIGATE SEVERE PAIN THAT PERSISTS IN CANCER PATIENTS DURING AND AFTER RADIATION. |
| SAVE THE CHILDREN | FAIRFIELD, CT | $150,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH DEPT OF NEUROBIOLOGY AND CENTER FOR PAIN RESEARCH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $100,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER RESEARCH TO MITIGATE THE PAIN CAUSED BY MIGRAINE HEADACHES AND VARIOUS OTHER HEADACHES THAT RESULT FROM NEDICAL CONDITIONS. |
| UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH DEPT OF UROLOGY | PITTSBURGH, PA | $100,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER CONTINUED RESEARCH TO CONTROL AND REDUCE POST-SURGICAL PAIN. |
| RODEF SHALOM COGREGATION | PITTSBURGH, PA | $50,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT HONORING CREATORS OF ERADICATE HATE GLOBAL SUMMIT. |
| UPMC HILLMAN CANCER CENTER | PITTSBURGH, PA | $250,000 | 2023 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR GROUNDBREAKING CANCER RESEARCH AND CLINICAL TRIALS TO PROVIDE PATIENTS WITH INNOVATIVE TREATMENTS FOR CANCER |
| JEWISH ASSOCIATION ON AGING | PITTSBURGH, PA | $100,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL DEPT OF PEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGY | PITTSBURGH, PA | $100,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER RESEARCH TO CONTROL AND REDUCE PAID IN PATIENTS WITH SUYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS |
| RODEF SHALOM CONGREGATION | PITTSBURGH, PA | $100,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE GLOBAL SWITCHBOARD PITTSBURGH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $100,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH DEPT OF NEUROBIOLOGY AND CENTER FOR PAIN RESEARCH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $50,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER RESEARCH TO MITIGATE THE PAID FROM MIGRAINE HEADACHES |
| UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH HEADACHE CENTER | PITTSBURGH, PA | $50,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT MEDICAL RESEARCH TO REDUCE PAIN CAUSED BY MIGRAINE AND OTHER HEADACHES |
| UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH DEPT OF UROLOGY | PITTSBURGH, PA | $50,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER CONTINUED RESEARCH TO CONTROL AND REDUCE POST-SURGICAL PAIN |
| UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH DEPT OF ANESTHESIOLOGY AND PERIOPERATIVE MEDICINE | PITTSBURGH, PA | $25,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT MEDICAL RESEARCH IN VALIDATING NEW THERAPIES FOR NEUROPATHIC PAIN RELIEF |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $15,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SAVE THE CHILDREN | FAIRFIELD, CT | $15,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2023 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION |
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION
AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE
$150,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION
RODEF SHALOM COGREGATION
$4,700TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION
SQUIRREL HILL FOOD PANTRY
$500TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH HILLMAN CANCER CENTER
$500TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION
JEWISH FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES
$500TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH DEPT OF NEUROBIOLOGY
$2,000,000TO ESTABLISH A SERIES OF PILOT GRANTS TO SUPPORT MIGRAINE RESEARCH PROJECTS AND TO SUPPORT GREATER INFRASTURUCTURE TO ENHANCE THE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY CARE OF PERSONS SUFFERING FROM MIGRANE HEADACHES.
THE GLOBAL SWITCHBOARD PITTSBURGH
$500,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION
UPMC HILLMAN CANCER CENTER
$350,000TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE HILLMAN DEVELOPMENTAL PILOT PROJECT TARGETING SENSORY NEURONS FOR RADIATION-INDUCED PAIN IN ORDER TO MITIGATE SEVERE PAIN THAT PERSISTS IN CANCER PATIENTS DURING AND AFTER RADIATION.
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH DEPT OF NEUROBIOLOGY AND CENTER FOR PAIN RESEARCH
$100,000TO FURTHER RESEARCH TO MITIGATE THE PAIN CAUSED BY MIGRAINE HEADACHES AND VARIOUS OTHER HEADACHES THAT RESULT FROM NEDICAL CONDITIONS.
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH DEPT OF UROLOGY
$100,000TO FURTHER CONTINUED RESEARCH TO CONTROL AND REDUCE POST-SURGICAL PAIN.
RODEF SHALOM COGREGATION
$50,000TO SUPPORT HONORING CREATORS OF ERADICATE HATE GLOBAL SUMMIT.
UPMC HILLMAN CANCER CENTER
$250,000TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR GROUNDBREAKING CANCER RESEARCH AND CLINICAL TRIALS TO PROVIDE PATIENTS WITH INNOVATIVE TREATMENTS FOR CANCER
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL DEPT OF PEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGY
$100,000TO FURTHER RESEARCH TO CONTROL AND REDUCE PAID IN PATIENTS WITH SUYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS
RODEF SHALOM CONGREGATION
$100,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION
THE GLOBAL SWITCHBOARD PITTSBURGH
$100,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER RESEARCH TO MITIGATE THE PAID FROM MIGRAINE HEADACHES
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH HEADACHE CENTER
$50,000TO SUPPORT MEDICAL RESEARCH TO REDUCE PAIN CAUSED BY MIGRAINE AND OTHER HEADACHES
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH DEPT OF UROLOGY
$50,000TO FURTHER CONTINUED RESEARCH TO CONTROL AND REDUCE POST-SURGICAL PAIN
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH DEPT OF ANESTHESIOLOGY AND PERIOPERATIVE MEDICINE
$25,000TO SUPPORT MEDICAL RESEARCH IN VALIDATING NEW THERAPIES FOR NEUROPATHIC PAIN RELIEF
AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE
$15,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
$15,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION