FISA Foundation Announces Grantmaking Strategy

posted June 26, 2009
In this difficult economic climate, everyone (individuals, families, communities, businesses, nonprofits, foundations, government…) is taking a critical look at financial investments. FISA Foundation, like most funders, has fewer dollars to distribute. After soliciting input from our grantees and nonprofit partners, we have adopted the following general strategies to guide decisions over the coming year.

• We will honor multi-year grant commitments.
• We will keep our focus on improving the lives of women, girls and people with disabilities and will maintain existing grantmaking priorities for each population.
• We will continue to consider general operating support for successful programs within strong organizations that advance our mission.
• We believe it is extremely important to continue investing in under-resourced rural communities.
• We have not established a “cap” on grant size, but we do acknowledge that the application process will be highly competitive.
• We will continue to conduct three grant cycles during the year. Potential applicants are encouraged to call the office to discuss their request or submit a brief letter of inquiry (follow guidelines posted under “grant application”). Unsolicited full proposals will not be accepted.
• We will set aside a small fund to enable us to respond promptly to emergency needs affecting women, girls and people with disabilities.

Watch this great ten minute video about how people with disabilities shaped Pittsburgh's history!

posted June 10, 2009
Voices of Our Region is an oral history project capturing the life, love and passion of area residents living with disabilities. Audio interviews with 57 individuals with disabilities of all types across generations and culture comprise Voices of Our Region. The fifteen hour oral history encourages listeners to learn about both the struggles and triumphs individuals with disabilities have experienced in seeking self-determination and non-discrimination by providing candid, non-scripted stories of the progress made in pursuit of personal goals.
View the ten minute "preview" version at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiywrfcjlHc

To hear all of the oral histories go to www.voicesofourregion.com.