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
Sep 16, 2010
Ability Pittsburgh 2010
Senator John Heinz History Center
One-day conference to assist young adults with disabilities (age 16-21) in planning for the transition to adulthood.
Sep 20, 2010
ATHENA Award Luncheon
Westin Convention Center Hotel
20th Anniversary ATHENA Award Program Luncheon presented by the Allegheny Conference
Sep 22, 2010
POWER of 32 Community Conversation: Engaging the Disability Community in Regional Visioning
1:30 PM
UCP/CLASS Community Centre, 4638 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (Oakland)
Sep 24, 2010
YWCA Luncheon with Gloria Steinem
11:00 AM
Sep 30, 2010
Three Rivers Center for Independent Living 30th Anniversary and Disability Pride Dinner
5:30 PM
The Omni William Penn Hotel Grand Ballroom
Oct 06, 2010
ACHIEVA forum on Access to Healthcare for Women with Disabilities
9:00 AM
Oct 08, 2010
Girls Coalition Gender Equity Work Group (OPEM MEETING)
11:30 AM
The Children's Institute, 1405 Shady Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15217
If you work with girls and are interested in promoting gender equity, please bring your ideas and a brown bag lunch!
Oct 12, 2010
NCJW Opening Meeting: Improving Economic Self-Sufficiency of Women
5:00 PM
Chatham University
Keynote will be Lisa Maatz, Director of Public Policy and Government Relations for the American Association of University Women.
Oct 14, 2010
Consumer Health Coalition’s AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CONFERENCE
Governor's Conference for Women
7:30 AM
David Lawrence Convention Center
Oct 20, 2010
UCP Community Heroes Awards Dinner
5:00 PM
Nov 06, 2010
Women and Girls Foundation, Women in Media event
5:00 PM
To donate through United Way, use Contributor Choice #1643616
