Named in honor of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, McAuley Ministries is the grant-making foundation of Pittsburgh Mercy. Our vision is to be a good neighbor whose support has contributed to neighborhoods that are safe, vibrant, and celebrated, and where residents are healthy and enabled to reach their full potential.
Mcauley Ministries’ recent giving shows a strong preference for place-based, large-scale support in Pittsburgh neighborhoods, with repeated investments in community development, housing stability, early learning, and health services. The single largest recent grant in the record was $2,315,150 to Carlow University for capital funding, literacy, social justice, student support, and leadership. Another sizable pattern appears in neighborhood redevelopment, including $716,667 to Neighborhood Allies in 2024 and $666,667 in 2025 for neighborhood capital tied to underinvestment and local Black developers. The foundation also backs service providers working with families and residents facing immediate needs. Womanspace-east Inc received $287,000 in 2025 to support its Uptown facility and programming for homeless families, while Pittsburgh Mercy Health System received $131,589 in 2024 for a health clinic service expansion project. Across the record, Mcauley Ministries combines capital support, program support, and operating support, often around long-term neighborhood conditions rather than one-time events. Its grant list also includes education, workforce, arts, and senior-serving work, showing a broad but locally anchored portfolio focused on the Mercy Corridor and nearby Pittsburgh communities.
Education is a recurring theme. Mcauley Ministries gave $432,200 to Early Excellence Project in 2025 for the Margaret Washington Early Learning & Inclusion Center, and $250,000 to Citizen Science Lab in 2024 for the MLK Center for STEM Excellence. Out-of-school-time programming also appears in multiple awards, including $177,000 to Schenley Heights Community Development Program for Igniting the Dream: Out-of-School-Time. Housing and anti-displacement work are another clear area: Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh received $150,000 in 2024 for building healthy neighborhood housing in the Hill District and West Oakland. Community economic development shows up through $250,000 to Hill District Federal Credit Union for a capital project to strengthen financial services for low-income residents. The foundation also supports arts and placemaking, such as $130,000 to Food Helpers for the Pittsburgh Community Art Park and Salem's Market Landmark Mural.
Typical grants cluster in the low five figures to low six figures: p25 is $25,500, median is $51,000, and p75 is $102,000. The record includes both smaller emergency awards and very large invitation-only major grants, ranging from $100 to $2,000,000 across active programs. Several grantees appear in multiple years, including Neighborhood Allies, Womanspace-east Inc, Hill District Federal Credit Union, Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, Center That Cares, and Macedonia Family and Community Enrichment Center, which suggests recurring relationships rather than one-off awards. Mcauley Ministries is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it funds organizations rather than individuals. Applications are accepted by email for emergency requests and during grant cycles for outreach and sustainability grants; major grants are by invitation only.
$5.1M
$80.9M
$7.2M
$5.4M
Most grants fall between $26K and $102K, with a median of $51K.
25th Percentile
$26K
Median
$51K
75th Percentile
$102K
About 96% of grants go to recipients in PA.
JAIME DIRCKSEN
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Mcauley Ministries gives overwhelmingly in Pennsylvania: 96% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the top state by grant count is PA. The recipient footprint is highly concentrated in Pittsburgh, with repeated awards to organizations in the Hill District, Uptown, and West Oakland. Named Pittsburgh recipients include Carlow University, Neighborhood Allies, Womanspace-east Inc, Pittsburgh Mercy Health System, and Food Helpers. The recipient country distribution is entirely domestic, with all 166 grants going to US organizations.
Its middle-of-the-road awards sit around the five-figure range: p25 is $25,500, median grant size is $51,000, and p75 is $102,000. Active programs also show a wide spread, from $100 emergency requests up to $2,000,000 for invitation-only major grants.
The foundation funds nonprofit organizations working in education, health and wellness, community services, and programs for vulnerable populations. Recent priorities also include early childhood, after-school and college readiness, housing stability, homelessness prevention, workforce development, financial capability, senior services, peacemaking, and environmental care.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Neighborhood Allies, Womanspace-east Inc, Hill District Federal Credit Union, Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, Center That Cares, and Macedonia Family and Community Enrichment Center. The pattern points to ongoing relationships and renewed support rather than isolated awards.
Time-Sensitive / Emergency Requests are submitted by email, with decisions made within two weeks. Outreach Grants and Program Sustainability Grants are accepted during grant cycle application periods and may be renewed. Major Grants are available only by invitation and are not open to unsolicited requests.
The foundation’s grantmaking is very local. Ninety-six percent of grants go to recipients in Pennsylvania, and the named neighborhood focus includes the Hill District, Uptown, West Oakland, and the Mercy Corridor in Pittsburgh.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIES | PITTSBURGH, PA | $666,667 | 2025 | NEIGHBORHOOD CAPITAL: LACK OF EQUITY FOR LOCAL BLACK DEVELOPERS & COMMUNITIES |
| EARLY EXCELLENCE PROJECT | PITTSBURGH, PA | $432,200 | 2025 | MARGARET WASHINGTON EARLY LEARNING & INCLUSION CENTER |
| THE UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA | PITTSBURGH, PA | $306,000 | 2025 | WELCOME BACK SUMMER PROGRAM |
| WOMANSPACE-EAST INC | PITTSBURGH, PA | $287,000 | 2025 | SUPPORTING UPTOWN FACILITY AND ENHANCED PROGRAMMING FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES |
| MACEDONIA FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT CENTER | PITTSBURGH, PA | $227,700 | 2025 | NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR AID, HILL DISTRICT EARLY LITERACY, JAZZ FOR HOPE |
| CENTER THAT CARES | PITTSBURGH, PA | $173,400 | 2025 | CENTER THAT CARES; IGNITING THE DREAM |
| READING IS FUNDAMENTAL PITTSBURGH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $127,500 | 2025 | CHILDRENS LITERACY PROGRAMMING |
| SHEPHERD'S HEART FELLOWSHIP | PITTSBURGH, PA | $111,750 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPOT |
| FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $110,000 | 2025 | THE CORNER - CAPACITY BUILDING FOR PROGRAM GROWTH |
| THE PITTSBURGH CONTINGENCY INC | PITTSBURGH, PA | $106,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SAFE STORAGE, SENIOR JAZZ CONNECTION, THE ONYX WOMAN'S NETWORK |
| ACH CLEAR PATHWAYS | PITTSBURGH, PA | $104,500 | 2025 | 2ND ANNUAL HILL DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL AND GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SCHENLEY HEIGHTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM | PITTSBURGH, PA | $102,000 | 2025 | IGNITING THE DREAM: OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME SHCDP |
| VISION ENTERPRISES JASON PROJECT | PITTSBURGH, PA | $102,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BLIND AND VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES OF PITTSBURGH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $102,000 | 2025 | ADVANCED SERVICES FOR SENIORS AND BLIND OR VISION IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS |
| EBENEZER OUTREACH MINISTRIES | PITTSBURGH, PA | $102,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICES, WORKFORCE PROGRAMS, BASIC NEEDS CENTER |
| GROUNDED STRATEGIES | PITTSBURGH, PA | $102,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITYCARE HILL DISTRICT |
| PITTSBURGH MERCY HEALTH SYSTEM | PITTSBURGH, PA | $95,000 | 2025 | LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT |
| PROGRAM TO AID CITIZEN ENTERPRISE | PITTSBURGH, PA | $87,150 | 2025 | LEADERSHIP COACHING PROGRAM AND 15TH ANNUAL INCLUSIVE VOICES |
| UPTOWN PARTNERS OF PITTSBURGH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $86,724 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DAY, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT |
| CARLOW UNIVERSITY | PITTSBURGH, PA | $81,000 | 2025 | LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT |
| VENTURE OUTDOORS INC | PITTSBURGH, PA | $76,500 | 2025 | OUTDOORS LEARNING LAB |
| NEIGHBORHOOD RESILIENCE PROJECT | PITTSBURGH, PA | $76,500 | 2025 | NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR AID |
| UJAMAA COLLECTIVE | PITTSBURGH, PA | $76,500 | 2025 | GROWING AND SUSTAINING A HUB OF BLACK COOPERATION |
| REGIONAL HOUSING LEGAL SERVICES | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $76,500 | 2025 | HOUSING AFFORDABILITY, CONDITIONS AND ANTI-DISPLACEMENT LEGAL SUPPORT |
| SMALL SEEDS DEVELOPMENT INC | PITTSBURGH, PA | $76,500 | 2025 | MOTHER TO SON PROGRAM |
| OZANAM INC | PITTSBURGH, PA | $61,200 | 2025 | HILL LEGACY PROJECT |
| A SCHOOLS PITTSBURGHS COMMUNITY ALLIANCE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION | PITTSBURGH, PA | $61,000 | 2025 | COORDINATING COMMUNITY |
| 1HOOD MEDIA | PITTSBURGH, PA | $51,000 | 2025 | 1HOOD MEDIA ACADEMY |
| PITTSBURGH SCHOLAR HOUSE | PITTSBURGH, PA | $51,000 | 2025 | WAYFINDERS PROGRAM PILOT IN THE HILL DISTRICT |
| HILL DISTRICT CONSENSUS GROUP | PITTSBURGH, PA | $51,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| THELMA LOVETTE YMCA | PITTSBURGH, PA | $51,000 | 2025 | MEMBERSHIP ACCESS |
| PITTSBURGH PROMISE FOUNDATION | PITTSBURGH, PA | $51,000 | 2025 | ADVANCING MILLIONES SCHOLARS |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH INC | PITTSBURGH, PA | $51,000 | 2025 | CRITICAL CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT AT ST. JOSEPH HOUSE |
| BIKE PITTSBURGH INC | PITTSBURGH, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | OPEN STREETS PGH |
| M-POWERHOUSE | PITTSBURGH, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | UPREP 4 LIFE STEAM NAVIGATION STATION |
| HUG ME TIGHT CHILDLIFE CENTERS | PITTSBURGH, PA | $45,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| THE SISTERS LIFTING AS WE CLIMB NETWORK | PITTSBURGH, PA | $45,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| POISE FOUNDATION | PITTSBURGH, PA | $42,850 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INTERSECTION INC | MCKEESPORT, PA | $40,700 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION OF PENNSYLVANIA | PITTSBURGH, PA | $40,341 | 2025 | EXPANDING EARLY LITERACY INTERVENTION IN THE HILL DISTRICT |
| SISTERS PLACE INC | PITTSBURGH, PA | $36,050 | 2025 | SISTERS PLACE HOUSING PROGRAMS |
| YOUNG BLACK MOTIVATED KINGS & QUEENS | PITTSBURGH, PA | $30,500 | 2025 | YBMKQ UNIVERSITY |
| JUBILEE ASSOCIATION INC | PITTSBURGH, PA | $30,500 | 2025 | KITCHEN OPERATIONS |
| WIRELESS NEIGHBORHOODS | PITTSBURGH, PA | $25,500 | 2025 | ENERGIZING TOMORROWS FUTURE CAREER LEADERS & WORKFORCE |
| STRONG WOMEN STRONG GIRLS INC | PITTSBURGH, PA | $25,500 | 2025 | INTERGENERATIONAL MENTORSHIP FOR GIRLS IN THE HILL DISTRICT |
| PROJECT LOVE COALITION | PITTSBURGH, PA | $25,500 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT PROJECT |
| BETHEL-TRINITY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | PITTSBURGH, PA | $25,500 | 2025 | INITIATING BETHEL-TRINITY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION |
| BLACK POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT | PITTSBURGH, PA | $25,500 | 2025 | CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, RACIAL EQUITY AND ANTI-VIOLENCE |
| CATAPULT GREATER PITTSBURGH INC | PITTSBURGH, PA | $25,500 | 2025 | HOMEOWNER AND HOMEBUYER SUPPORT IN THE HILL DISTRICT |
| COMMUNITY HUMAN SERVICES CORPORATION | PITTSBURGH, PA | $25,500 | 2025 | FOOD PANTRY SUPPORT |
NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIES
$666,667NEIGHBORHOOD CAPITAL: LACK OF EQUITY FOR LOCAL BLACK DEVELOPERS & COMMUNITIES
EARLY EXCELLENCE PROJECT
$432,200MARGARET WASHINGTON EARLY LEARNING & INCLUSION CENTER
THE UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
$306,000WELCOME BACK SUMMER PROGRAM
WOMANSPACE-EAST INC
$287,000SUPPORTING UPTOWN FACILITY AND ENHANCED PROGRAMMING FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES
MACEDONIA FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT CENTER
$227,700NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR AID, HILL DISTRICT EARLY LITERACY, JAZZ FOR HOPE
CENTER THAT CARES
$173,400CENTER THAT CARES; IGNITING THE DREAM
READING IS FUNDAMENTAL PITTSBURGH
$127,500CHILDRENS LITERACY PROGRAMMING
SHEPHERD'S HEART FELLOWSHIP
$111,750GENERAL SUPPOT
FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$110,000THE CORNER - CAPACITY BUILDING FOR PROGRAM GROWTH
THE PITTSBURGH CONTINGENCY INC
$106,000PROJECT SAFE STORAGE, SENIOR JAZZ CONNECTION, THE ONYX WOMAN'S NETWORK
ACH CLEAR PATHWAYS
$104,5002ND ANNUAL HILL DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL AND GENERAL SUPPORT
SCHENLEY HEIGHTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
$102,000IGNITING THE DREAM: OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME SHCDP
VISION ENTERPRISES JASON PROJECT
$102,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BLIND AND VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES OF PITTSBURGH
$102,000ADVANCED SERVICES FOR SENIORS AND BLIND OR VISION IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS
EBENEZER OUTREACH MINISTRIES
$102,000COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICES, WORKFORCE PROGRAMS, BASIC NEEDS CENTER
GROUNDED STRATEGIES
$102,000COMMUNITYCARE HILL DISTRICT
PITTSBURGH MERCY HEALTH SYSTEM
$95,000LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM TO AID CITIZEN ENTERPRISE
$87,150LEADERSHIP COACHING PROGRAM AND 15TH ANNUAL INCLUSIVE VOICES
UPTOWN PARTNERS OF PITTSBURGH
$86,724COMMUNITY DAY, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
CARLOW UNIVERSITY
$81,000LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
VENTURE OUTDOORS INC
$76,500OUTDOORS LEARNING LAB
NEIGHBORHOOD RESILIENCE PROJECT
$76,500NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR AID
UJAMAA COLLECTIVE
$76,500GROWING AND SUSTAINING A HUB OF BLACK COOPERATION
REGIONAL HOUSING LEGAL SERVICES
$76,500HOUSING AFFORDABILITY, CONDITIONS AND ANTI-DISPLACEMENT LEGAL SUPPORT
SMALL SEEDS DEVELOPMENT INC
$76,500MOTHER TO SON PROGRAM
OZANAM INC
$61,200HILL LEGACY PROJECT
A SCHOOLS PITTSBURGHS COMMUNITY ALLIANCE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION
$61,000COORDINATING COMMUNITY
1HOOD MEDIA
$51,0001HOOD MEDIA ACADEMY
PITTSBURGH SCHOLAR HOUSE
$51,000WAYFINDERS PROGRAM PILOT IN THE HILL DISTRICT
HILL DISTRICT CONSENSUS GROUP
$51,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
THELMA LOVETTE YMCA
$51,000MEMBERSHIP ACCESS
PITTSBURGH PROMISE FOUNDATION
$51,000ADVANCING MILLIONES SCHOLARS
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH INC
$51,000CRITICAL CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT AT ST. JOSEPH HOUSE
BIKE PITTSBURGH INC
$50,000OPEN STREETS PGH
M-POWERHOUSE
$50,000UPREP 4 LIFE STEAM NAVIGATION STATION
HUG ME TIGHT CHILDLIFE CENTERS
$45,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
THE SISTERS LIFTING AS WE CLIMB NETWORK
$45,000CAPACITY BUILDING
POISE FOUNDATION
$42,850GENERAL SUPPORT
INTERSECTION INC
$40,700GENERAL SUPPORT
LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION OF PENNSYLVANIA
$40,341EXPANDING EARLY LITERACY INTERVENTION IN THE HILL DISTRICT
SISTERS PLACE INC
$36,050SISTERS PLACE HOUSING PROGRAMS
YOUNG BLACK MOTIVATED KINGS & QUEENS
$30,500YBMKQ UNIVERSITY
JUBILEE ASSOCIATION INC
$30,500KITCHEN OPERATIONS
WIRELESS NEIGHBORHOODS
$25,500ENERGIZING TOMORROWS FUTURE CAREER LEADERS & WORKFORCE
STRONG WOMEN STRONG GIRLS INC
$25,500INTERGENERATIONAL MENTORSHIP FOR GIRLS IN THE HILL DISTRICT
PROJECT LOVE COALITION
$25,500CAPACITY BUILDING AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT PROJECT
BETHEL-TRINITY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$25,500INITIATING BETHEL-TRINITY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
BLACK POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT
$25,500CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, RACIAL EQUITY AND ANTI-VIOLENCE
CATAPULT GREATER PITTSBURGH INC
$25,500HOMEOWNER AND HOMEBUYER SUPPORT IN THE HILL DISTRICT
COMMUNITY HUMAN SERVICES CORPORATION
$25,500FOOD PANTRY SUPPORT
Current and upcoming funding from Mcauley Ministries that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations should contact McAuley Ministries before submitting an application to clarify eligibility or consistency with grant-making priorities. Intended for time-sensitive or emergency requests.
Deadline: Anytime; decisions are made within two weeks of submission.
Who can apply: Organizations should contact McAuley Ministries before submitting an application to clarify eligibility or consistency with grant-making priorities. Available during grant cycle application periods.
Deadline: 2026 Spring Grant Cycle: January 23, 2026; 2026 Summer Grant Cycle: May 15, 2026; 2027 Spring Grant Cycle: January 25, 2027; 2027 Summer Grant Cycle: May 17, 2027.
Who can apply: Organizations should contact McAuley Ministries before submitting an application to clarify eligibility or consistency with grant-making priorities. Available during grant cycle application periods.
Deadline: 2026 Spring Grant Cycle: January 23, 2026; 2026 Summer Grant Cycle: May 15, 2026; 2027 Spring Grant Cycle: January 25, 2027; 2027 Summer Grant Cycle: May 17, 2027.
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