Raymond C. and Martha S. Suckling Fund

The Pittsburgh Foundation's Raymond C. and Martha S. Suckling Fund aims to enhance the lives of low-income residents in Sewickley and surrounding communities, aligning with the Foundation's broader mission to support local needs. This grant initiative offers two types of support: Project/Program Support for specific, time-bound programmatic activities, and General Operating Support, which provides flexible funding for an organization's mission-critical costs, including administrative salaries, rent, office supplies, and program expenses. This flexibility recognizes the adaptive needs of nonprofits in addressing evolving community challenges. The target beneficiaries are low-income residents in specific Allegheny and Beaver County communities, including Sewickley, Aliquippa, Ambridge, Haysville, Leetsdale, McKees Rocks, and Coraopolis. The primary impact goal is to improve the lives of these residents, with a strong focus on advancing racial justice. The Foundation prioritizes organizations that are representative of the communities they serve, intentionally serve Black, Indigenous, Latino, and people of color communities, and address the intersection of race with other marginalized groups such as LGBTQIA individuals, people with disabilities, women, and immigrants. Key priorities for funding include organizations with an established history in their communities and those that primarily serve communities disproportionately impacted by poverty. The grant amounts generally range from $10,000 to $75,000 for one-year grants and up to $150,000 for two-year grants. Larger grants may be considered in limited situations for proposals demonstrating clear need and potential impact, especially those aligning with racial justice and the Foundation's focus areas, though a conversation with a program officer is required for requests exceeding $150,000. Expected outcomes include improved living conditions and opportunities for low-income residents, as well as the advancement of racial justice within these communities. While specific measurable results are not detailed, the emphasis on achieving specific goals and milestones for Project/Program Support, and the focus on organizations with a mission to advance racial justice, suggest an expectation of tangible positive change. The Foundation's strategic priority is to support organizations that are deeply rooted in and reflective of the communities they serve, fostering a theory of change that empowers local efforts to address systemic inequalities and improve social determinants of health and well-being.