Community Fund Created to Combat  Effects of Economic Crisis

Neighbor-Aid will benefit families and individuals facing hardship

December 10, 2008

PITTSBURGH — A community-wide campaign was unveiled today by The Pittsburgh Foundation to support nonprofit organizations that are struggling to meet the surge in demand from families and individuals as the result of the economic crisis. A special fund to help strengthen the region’s safety net for families and individuals in hardship has been launched with more than $700,000, which includes a grant of $350,000 from The Pittsburgh Foundation and another of $250,000 awarded anonymously by another local foundation. The fund – Neighbor-Aid – has been established with a specifically designed satellite web site to The Pittsburgh Foundation at Neighbor-Aid.org that underscores the increasingly urgent human services needs in the Pittsburgh regional community and urges individuals, organizations and businesses to contribute. The web site will also provide guidance for those who are seeking help. Donations may be made on-line via credit card or by check payable to The Pittsburgh Foundation – Neighbor-Aid and sent to the Foundation’s offices at Five PPG Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. The Foundation has waived its usual administrative fees, and all money raised will go towards funding relief programs. “The stark reality for us is that tonight some of our neighbors will go to bed hungry and cold, others are being evicted from their homes, and families risk having their children taken into social services care if their utilities are cut off,” said Grant Oliphant, The Pittsburgh Foundation’s President and CEO. “Nonprofit organizations on the front lines are being overwhelmed by escalating demand for essential human services, and as a community we must respond as quickly and as effectively as we can.” The Neighbor-Aid campaign is a collaborative initiative between The Pittsburgh Foundation, civic leader, Elsie Hillman, the United Way of Allegheny County and other local foundations working in liaison with Allegheny County Department of Human Services. more (pdf)


Henry L. Hillman Foundation Gives Carnegie Mellon $10 Million
For Research Building in New Computer Science Complex

Building Creates New “Front Door” for School of Computer Science

February 20, 2008

PITTSBURGH — The Henry L. Hillman Foundation has given Carnegie Mellon University a gift of $10 million for a research building in the university’s new computer science complex.
              The Hillman Center for Future-Generation Technologies, one of two structures in the 200,000-square-foot complex that also includes the Gates Center for Computer Science, will face Forbes Avenue, one of Pittsburgh’s main thoroughfares, and serve as the main entrance to the university’s world-renowned School of Computer Science.
              “This magnificent gift exemplifies Henry Hillman’s personal and lifelong interest in science and technology,” said Carnegie Mellon President Jared L. Cohon. “Some of the most important and forward-looking research at the university — and in the world — is going to take place in this building. I cannot think of a better way for the university to be partnering with Henry at this moment in our history than in enabling critical new breakthroughs in computer science.”
              “We are very fortunate to have an institution like Carnegie Mellon University, with its record of world-changing advancements in computer science, artificial intelligence and robotics and the many talented minds it attracts to Pittsburgh,” said Henry Hillman. “Research and technology developed at Carnegie Mellon that at one time seemed like science fiction have created essential everyday tools for business, medicine and countless other applications that we now almost take for granted. Our hope is that the Center for Future-Generation Technologies will seed new efforts to continue and accelerate this cycle of innovation and progress.” more (pdf)