Grantees

FISA Foundation is proud to support out grantee partners in improving the lives of women, girls, and people with disabilities in southwestern Pennsylvania. See below some of the great work our grantee partners are accomplishing.

Group of 3 smiling black women who are parents with autism urban connection

Grantee Spotlight

Autism Urban Connections

Autism Urban Connections is the first and only African American, minority, family focused Autism nonprofit in Pennsylvania.  The organization was founded by Jamie Upshaw, a Black woman whose Autistic son was misdiagnosed as a young child, thereby missing key opportunities for early intervention. Her experience is not unique; research demonstrates that for African American children, there is an average 3-year delay between first parental developmental concern and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis.

“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.

Kristy Trautmann, Executive DIrector of FISA Foundation
Kathi Elliot, a black woman and founder of gwen's girls, standing outside at an event with people in white t-shirts

Gwen’s Girls

For the last twenty years, Gwen’s Girls has focused on empowering girls and young women to have productive lives through holistic, gender-specific programs, education, and experiences.

A happy interracial couple with a young daughter with down syndrome look and point at a computer screen together.

Pennsylvania Health Law Project

As PHLP uncovers individuals’ barriers to healthcare, it uses this information as it monitors and analyzes proposed policy changes and legislation. PHLP then works with its clients and other advocates to push for policy and program changes to improve access to healthcare for people with disabilities, and other low-income populations.

Person with gray hair writing on white board which is covered in images and writing about ending domestic violence

STANDING FIRM

FISA’s support helped to launch and scale STANDING FIRM’s efforts to engage employers to Recognize the warning signs of abuse, Respond with support, and Refer employees to get free and confidential help through community-based services.

Latest Articles on Grantees

  • FISA Awards June 2024 Grants to Uplift Women, Girls, and People with Disabilities

    FISA Awards June 2024 Grants to Uplift Women, Girls, and People with Disabilities

    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 […]

  • FISA Awards February 2024 Grants to Uplift Women, Girls, and People with Disabilities

    FISA Awards February 2024 Grants to Uplift Women, Girls, and People with Disabilities

    In February, FISA Foundation awarded $429,000 in grants to 14 organizations serving women, girls, and people with disabilities in southwestern Pennsylvania. The grantees represent a variety of direct services and social issues. Kristy Trautmann, Executive Director of FISA Foundation, stated, “We need strong partnerships between philanthropy and nonprofits to create real change. FISA aims to […]

  • FISA Foundation Invests in Bringing Disability Lead to Southwestern PA

    FISA Foundation Invests in Bringing Disability Lead to Southwestern PA

    For many years, disability advocates in southwestern PA have worked to support the visible, diverse  leadership of people with disabilities. While strides have been made, there are still challenges around elevating disabled leaders to positions of power and influence, and to creating a culture where established leaders can openly acknowledge living with chronic conditions and […]

Click Here for More Grantee Articles and Spotlights

a group of black women and two men wearing red shirts smiling

Grantee Spotlight

Black Women’s Policy Center

Pittsburgh is often lauded as among the most livable cities in the country. While this may be true for some, it is certainly not the case for Black women. Rochelle Jackson, a Black woman with decades of public policy experience, is well aware of the racial and gender inequities that Black women experience in Pittsburgh. She launched the Black Women’s Policy Center to change systems and policies to ensure that Black women don’t just survive but thrive.