In June, FISA Foundation awarded $605,000 in grants to 14 organizations serving women, girls, and people with disabilities in southwestern Pennsylvania.
The grantees this cycle are meeting the needs of communities through innovative partnerships, wrap-around services, and intersectional advocacy work. Kristy Trautmann, Executive Director of FISA Foundation, stated, “From supporting women in recovery to advocating for the rights of people with disabilities to live in communities of their choice, these organizations are making a profound difference in our region. We are proud to support their dedication to improving lives and fostering inclusion, equity, and justice.” Read the full list of grants awarded below.
Grants supporting people with disabilities include:
- $60,000 over two years to the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Pennsylvania (ACLU PA) to address school policing and disproportionate criminalization of Black girls, students with disabilities, and other marginalized students in southwestern PA.
- $25,000 to DePaul School for Hearing and Speech to train and mentor new teachers of the Deaf through an apprenticeship initiative in partnership with local universities.
- $25,000 to Disability Rights Pennsylvania to prevent abuse of people with disabilities by monitoring nursing facilities and providing rights-based advocacy.
- $25,000 in operating support to East Suburban Citizen Advocacy to advocate for vulnerable individuals with disabilities and create opportunities for community inclusion.
- $40,000 in operating support to Evolve Coaching to implement individualized coaching, programs, and services for autistic and neurodiverse individuals as they plan for and attend college or enter the workforce.
- $35,000 in operating support to The Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh for programs that build social connections and foster communities that include people with disabilities.
- $50,000 to Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy to increase accessibility of the outdoor sensory classroom and nature play trail at Frick Park.
- $25,000 in operating support to Pittsburghers for Public Transit to continue organizing & advocating for intersectional transportation justice.
- $60,000 over two years to United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania to advance and expand the Alliance for Access and Assets: Building Financial Power, an initiative to expand financial resources for people of color with disabilities.
- $40,000 to Voices for Independence to transition people of color with disabilities from nursing homes into the community of their choice.
Grants investing in women and girls include:
- $50,000 to Women and Girls Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania to expand GirlGov, a civic engagement and social justice advocacy program for middle and high school girls.
- $20,000 in operating support to Pennsylvania Organization for Women in Early Recovery (POWER) to provide tailored programs and services designed for women in recovery
- $25,000 to Pennsylvania Women Work to empower female jobseekers with a history of incarceration and substance use disorder.
- $25,000 to Za’Kiyah House to support Donnelle’s Safe Haven, a housing program for women in recovery who are experiencing homelessness or who are returning from incarceration.
FISA Foundation commends these partner organizations for their commitment to serving diverse communities in southwestern Pennsylvania.
FISA Foundation accepts letters of inquiry at any time, and awards grants three times per year. Learn more about FISA’s priorities and how to submit a letter of inquiry.