FISA Foundation is proud to announce nearly $500,000 in grants to 16 nonprofit partners whose work aligns with FISA’s mission to champion equity, justice, safety, and inclusion for women, girls, and people with disabilities, combatting systemic racism that impedes progress for these populations in southwestern Pennsylvania. Among the slate of grantees are organizations that are boldly addressing the needs of women and girls of color who have been disadvantaged by systems of racism and sexism. Kristy Trautmann, FISA’s executive director, noted, “We are proud to support these changemakers who are providing direct support to women and girls of color and advocating for fundamental changes to make systems more fair and inclusive.”
Grants to organizations supporting women and girls of color include:
- $35,000 in operating support to Black Women’s Policy Center for advocacy and systems change work that centers Black women and girls in policy efforts.
- $30,000 to Healthy Start to strengthen advocacy to improve Black maternal and child health.
- $20,000 in operating support to Ruth’s Way for strengths-based services for Black girls.
- $20,000 to Hello Neighbor to support the Smart Start Program, a culturally sensitive and personalized support program for new refugee and immigrant moms and babies.
- $20,000 to Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh for a comprehensive suite of programs that addresses the health, safety, and well-being of Bhutanese women.
Additional grants benefiting women and girls:
- $55,400 to Pittsburgh Action Against Rape to support strategic planning and board development.
- $27,500 to Point Park University for a project to highlight young women’s experiences of street harassment in Pittsburgh.
- $30,000 in general operating support to Sisters Place for services to assist mothers who are homeless to stabilize their families.
- $25,000 to Strong Women Strong Girls Pittsburgh to advance diversity, equity and inclusion efforts across all areas of the organization with a focus on antiracism, gender inclusivity, and accessibility.
- $15,000 to Three Rivers Business Alliance Foundation to create and implement the Transgender Women Workforce Competency Program, an initiative to assist transgender women to better prepare for and succeed in the workplace and to assist local employers in creating policies and workplace cultures that support transgender women.
FISA also awarded grants to 5 organizations to support a range of equity and justice issues for people with disabilities.
- $25,000 to 1Hood Media Academy for accessibility accommodations so its events and programs that address urgent issues in the Black community are accessible to people with disabilities.
- $39,512 to Autism Connection of PA for a multi-faceted, systems-change initiative focused on justice-related issues for people with disabilities.
- $20,000 in general operating support to Autism Employment Network for its suite of programs aimed at increasing employment opportunities for autistic adults.
- $35,000 to 412 Justice (via fiduciary Center for Popular Democracy) for education justice advocacy for students of color with disabilities.
- $60,000 in general operating support to Education Law Center for systemic reform efforts to improve educational outcomes for children with disabilities.
- $40,000 to Transitional Paths to Independent Living (TRPIL) for its efforts to transition people of color with disabilities out of nursing homes to community-based living situations of their choice
We offer our sincere congratulations to these grantees who are undertaking substantive work to address sexism, ableism, and racism.
FISA Foundation accepts letters of inquiry any time, and awards grants three times per year. Learn more about FISA’s priorities and how to submit a letter of inquiry.