FISA Foundation funds nonprofit organizations providing services in southwestern Pennsylvania, limited to the following counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland [view map »]. All grants benefit women, girls or people with disabilities. Foundation funds are limited and requests should clearly address one or more of the following strategic priority areas:
Grantmaking Priorities
Priorities for Grants Benefiting Women:
NOTE: All programs and projects must be designed specifically for women.
- Gender-specific issues in healthcare
- Addressing gender disparities in health care
- Prevention of and intervention in sexual abuse and domestic violence
- Safe and affordable housing
- Unique needs of women with disabilities
Priorities for Grants Benefiting Girls:
NOTE: All programs and projects must be designed specifically for girls. Co-ed youth programs generally do not receive support.
- Empowerment
- Mentoring
- Issues related to teen pregnancy
- Health and wellness
- Prevention of and intervention in sexual abuse and domestic violence
Priorities for grants benefiting Adults or Children with Physical, Sensory and/or Developmental Disabilities
NOTE: Priority is given to projects that promote the integration of individuals with disabilities into the community.
- Inclusion
- Full community participation
- Disability awareness
- Advocacy for policy/systemic change
- Access to healthcare and dental care
- Prevention of and intervention in abuse and violence
- Employment
- Youth transition to adulthood
What types of funding are available?
FISA Foundation recognizes the challenges facing nonprofits during this challenging economic period. In light of the fact that funds are limited, FISA will consider grants for:
- Ongoing programs and projects (the Foundation is not encouraging nonprofits to begin new programs that may not be sustainable);
- General operating support for programs that advance our strategic priorities;
- Capacity building initiatives (including strategic planning, board development, training, fundraising);
- Equipment.
The Foundation gives priority to projects and programs that have clearly defined outcomes and an evaluation component.
Restrictions/Requests that will not be funded
The Foundation does not make grants in support of:
- Organizations without an Internal Revenue Code charitable, tax-exempt status under Sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)
- Programs taking place outside the ten-county area of southwestern Pennsylvania
- Individuals
- Political campaigns or lobbying
- Religious organizations for religious purposes
- Travel, study and scholarships
- Issues related to disabilities that result from the aging process
- Renovations to improve the physical accessibility of buildings
- Programs with the primary mission of serving individuals with mental illness
- Programs that happen to serve women and girls but are not designed to be gender specific
- Parenting programs, unless they specifically relate to parents or children with disabilities
- Biomedical research
The Next Steps
Upcoming
Events
Mar 24, 2010
Girls Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania 2nd Annual Conference
Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Apr 01, 2010
Proposal Deadline for Grant Cycle Board meeting in June 2010
Special Note
FISA Foundation's grantmaking budget has been impacted by the downturn in the financial markets. We encourage potential grant applicants to call the office for a preliminary discussion before submitting a letter of inquiry.
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