Since it was founded in 1951, Hillman Foundation has been dedicated to a principal mission to improving and enriching the quality of life in Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania. New grants approved in 2007 focused on initiatives that will strengthen the city’s cultural organizations as well as the region’s competitive positions in healthcare, life sciences and education.
In the year ending December 31, 2007, Hillman Foundation distributed $8,603,500 to 72 organizations, including $3,895,500 in 48 new grants and $4,708,000 as 36 payments made on prior commitments. As of the end of the year, outstanding commitments of $16,164,000 were carried forward for payment in the period 2008 through 2015.
New contributions were approved within seven program areas: community and economic development, cultural advancement and the arts, education, environment and conservation, health and medicine, human and social services, and youth services. Categorically, grants were approved for special programs that address timely community needs, renovation of existing and construction of new facilities, endowments, and purchases of equipment.
Throughout the year, the Foundation staff actively sought to identify and anticipate community and regional needs. In addition, contributions were made in response to unsolicited proposals submitted by organizations conducting capital campaigns, initiating new ventures and expanding existing programs. As has been our practice, the Foundation continued to work cooperatively with other Pittsburgh-based foundations to meet specific community needs.
In September, the renovation and expansion of Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History was completed and the new Wertz Gallery featuring gems and jewelry was opened to the public. The opening was the culmination of three years of planning and construction and featured a special exhibition, “Luxe Life: Masterpieces of American Jewelry.” A new changing exhibition featuring contemporary jewelry designers will open in the summer of 2008 in the Wertz Gallery.
With support from the Foundation, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History was able to make several mineral purchases in 2007 including the acquisition of the extraordinary Pennsylvania Collection of the Philadelphia Academy. This historic collection dates to the 18th century and represents the most exhaustive and complete survey of rare and important mineral specimens found in the Commonwealth. While many specimens are now on display in Hillman Hall, the full collection of over 5,000 items is in the process of being conserved and catalogued to be made available for research and educational purposes. Other minerals acquired for display in various sections of the Hall in 2007 include a suite of colored diamonds, a tourmaline, a Mexican azurite, and an ilolite specimen.
Pittsburgh will mark the 250th anniversary of its founding in 2008 and many special community activities are being planned to mark the occasion. A contribution to the Senator John Heinz Regional History Center was approved in support of a special exhibition celebrating Pittsburgh’s proud legacy of innovation in industry, education, healthcare, and the arts. In another contribution that highlights the region’s history, the Johnstown Area Heritage Association received support for the development of a new theater at the Discovery Center that simulates the sights, sounds and drama of the steelmaking process. Community Connections, a special initiative administered by the Sprout Fund, received support for its program that awarded a total of $1 million to 100 regional and grassroots projects for activities and events occurring during the 250th anniversary celebration.
Other grants to cultural and arts organizations were approved for renovation of the New Hazlett Center for the Performing Arts, renovations at the Little Lake Theatre, and the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts for expenses related to its merger with Pittsburgh Filmmakers. The Foundation also continued its multiyear support for performing arts organizations with region-wide audiences such as the Pittsburgh Public Theatre, City Theatre, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Civic Light Opera, and Pittsburgh Opera.
The Pittsburgh Zoo received one of the Foundation’s largest grants last year for construction of the new Water’s Edge exhibit which opened to rave reviews in 2007. For the first time in its history, the Zoo was visited by over 1 million people last year due in large part to the popularity of this new exhibit.
Assisting efforts to foster business and employment growth and community improvement, grants in the community and economic development program area covered a range of activities. A multiyear commitment to the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse (PLSG) shared with the Henry L. Hillman Foundation has provided a total of $5 million, representing one of the Foundation’s most extensive investments in the region’s future. PLSG was formed in 2001 through the collaboration of Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center as part of a major initiative to promote leading research, new company and employment creation, and to strengthen the emerging life sciences industry in the Pittsburgh region. Funds provided to PLSG as part of this grant has supported recruiting faculty to build upon existing research capacity in local institutions.
The Allegheny Conference on Community Development received continued support for the “Three Rivers: One Future” initiative to promote regional growth. Also assisting local economic development efforts, the Corporation for Owner-Operator Projects received a contribution toward the creation of a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing and technology multitenant facility in Beaver Falls. Pittsburgh Gateways continued to make progress with the development of the National Center for In-Vitro Diagnostics with help from the Foundation.
In the education program area, honoring the legacy of one of Pittsburgh’s most famous citizens and a pioneer in early childhood development, the Foundation approved a grant to Saint Vincent College for the development of the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media. The funds will assist in the creation of learning laboratories to teach future generations of instructors how to inspire children to achieve their best. Other contributions in the education program area included a grant for technology improvements at the Linsly School, support for The Ellis School, support for Gateway to the Arts for expansion of their arts education programs, and a multiyear grant to the University of Pittsburgh in support of the programs of the Institute of Politics.
In the health and medicine area, The Children’s Institute received a grant for the development of the new Center for Autism as part of its Campaign for an Amazing Future. Recognizing the important role of community health centers, grants were approved in support of capital improvements at East Liberty Family Health Care Center and for the renovation of North Side Christian Health Center’s new building.
Continuing its multiyear commitment to cancer research, Hillman Foundation, in collaboration with Henry L. Hillman Foundation, provided funds to the Hillman Fellows in Innovative Cancer Research program. This initiative of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) provides essential funds each year for more than thirty researchers advancing and testing research concepts that will enable them to apply for major grants from the National Institutes of Health and other sources. The program has funded research in cancer stem cell biology, biomarkers for the early detection of cancer, cancer vaccines and cellular therapies, methods for diagnosing and monitoring cancer, and programs in cancer prevention that are based on genetic and environmental risks for disease.
Support also continued for the development of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’s pediatric transplantation clinical care and research activities. Currently in the midst of constructing a new campus in Lawrenceville, the new hospital and research center will permit expansion of clinical care and research related to pediatric transplantation. Grounded in three principles—family-centered care, technological sophistication and environmental sustainability—the new campus is expected to begin operation in 2009.
Representing the largest volume of grants approved in 2007, 19 contributions were directed to human service or youth organizations for activities supporting families, children, seniors, the homeless, single parents, and individuals with special needs. Funds for facility purchases, expansions and building improvements were provided to Angel’s Place, FamilyLinks, Parental Stress Center, Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute, Human Services Center Corporation (Turtle Creek), Sarah Heinz House, and Schenley Heights Community Development Corporation.
Among the larger contributions approved, Hill House Association received a major commitment for its capital campaign for renovations at the Kaufmann Center, one of the most actively used community meeting places in the city. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania were able to make improvements to eight locations with Foundation support in 2007.
Addressing the growing number of youth living with drug and alcohol addiction, Gateway Rehabilitation Center received a grant to expand its Youth Services Center and programs. Also, Outside In School of Experiential Education received support to expand their Ligonier facilities that serve youth with addiction and other difficulties.
Program support in the human and youth services areas was provided to the Allegheny County Center for Victims of Violence and Crime, Homeless Children’s Emergency Fund, Bethlehem Haven, and Career Literacy for African American Youth initiative of Duquesne University. Housing assistance was provided through contributions approved to Greene County Habitat for Humanity’s construction of a new distribution center for prefabricated home components; to Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh’s program to assist senior and low-income homeowners with needed home improvements; and to the Supportive Services Fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation that assists homeless individuals transitioning into permanent housing. In addition, the United Way of Allegheny County received support for the Impact Fund.
Contributions advancing conservation and environmental initiatives were made to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy for the Mill Creek restoration project and the Westmoreland Conservation District for the development of its GreenForge conservation incubator.
During the year, the Foundation retained its membership in two professional organizations, Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania and the Philanthropic Roundtable.
Remaining sections of this Annual Report including the supporting financial statements as audited by Sisterson & Company, LLP, summarize the year’s activities and describe the Foundation’s grantmaking policies and procedures. The purpose of each grant commitment approved and paid during the year is described in a brief statement.
Henry L. Hillman, Chairman Ronald W. Wertz, President
