For its October 2023 grant cycle, FISA Foundation awarded $795,000 in grants to 9 organizations serving women, girls, and people with disabilities.
Kristy Trautmann, Executive Director of FISA Foundation, stated, “We are proud to invest in local organizations working on-the-ground and meeting the needs of our region’s most vulnerable populations.” She added, “Our grantee partners are integral to igniting community change. We want to uplift and support them with the tools they need to positively impact women, girls, and people with disabilities.”
This cycle, nearly half the grants awarded include an intentional focus on intersectionality between gender, disability, and/or race. Further, the grants this cycle reflect FISA’s commitment to allocate its resources to both direct service work and efforts that support larger systemic change.
FISA is proud to announce a signature initiative and the largest grant the foundation has ever awarded: $375,000 over 3 years to Disability Lead. In partnership with local disability advocates, Disability Lead will work to bring an innovative disability leadership model to Southwestern PA.
Full list of grants for the October 2023 cycle:
- $45,000 in general operating support to Autism Connection of PA to provide information, referral, and advocacy for individuals with autism who are involved in the criminal legal system
- $50,000 over two years to City Mission – Living Stones, Inc. to support the Women’s Emergency Shelter in Fayette County
- $375,000 over three years to Disability Lead for replicating Disability lead in southwestern PA and building a pipeline of leaders with disabilities.
- $120,000 over two years to Education Law Center for advocacy to ensure that children with disabilities and Black girls have access to appropriate educational opportunities.
- $60,000 to East End Cooperative Ministries to support prevention, intervention, and growth programming for at-risk girls.
- $25,000 to HEARTH to support transitional housing and supportive services for women experiencing homelessness as a result of domestic violence.
- $60,000 in operating support to Pennsylvania Health Law Project to provide education and advocacy for people with disabilities in accessing Medicaid-funded services and supports and for advancing and protecting their healthcare rights.
- $30,000 to Sisters Place, Inc. to support women and children experiencing homelessness.
- $30,000 to The Midwife Center to implement a diversity, equity, and inclusion plan to better welcome and serve birthing people of color.
FISA Foundation commends these partner organizations for their dedication to addressing critically important issues.
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.