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.
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
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.
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.
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
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FISA Awards October 2025 Grants to Uplift Women, Girls, and People with Disabilities
FISA Foundation recently awarded $575,000 in grants to 11 organizations serving women, girls, and people with disabilities in southwestern Pennsylvania. FISA is proud to support these impactful organizations that are working tirelessly to provide critical resources, services, and advocacy during a very challenging time for nonprofits. From promoting reproductive justice in an uncertain landscape to improving the financial stability of Black women to […]
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FISA Awards June 2025 Grants to Uplift Women, Girls, and People with Disabilities
In an uncertain landscape, FISA grantee partners remain committed to meeting the needs of communities in southwestern Pennsylvania. Their advocacy and empowerment continue to improve the lives of women, girls, and people with disabilities in the region. “We are so proud of all the ways our grantees and partners have stepped forward to meet […]
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FISA Announces Grants to Improve Accessible Healthcare
“What I want is to trust that if I–or especially the people that I love–engage with a provider, that they’re going to get the best care. That they will be seen and respected and cared for as a human.” – Amanda Neatrour from FISA’s Centering the Voices of People with Disabilities Video Series Despite federal […]