Beyond Grantmaking
The Foundation’s More than Money offerings connect and strengthen organizations and individuals“When I first started out writing grants and doing things for my organization, I got a lot of ‘nos,’” says Rev. Paul Waite, president of the Anna Middleton Waite Adult Learning Center, which teaches senior citizens to use technology.
“But through webinars and in-person trainings, and learning more about what funders are looking for, I started to get more ‘yeses.’”
The trainings Rev. Waite is describing are part of what The Pittsburgh Foundation calls More than Money, an ethos and programmatic effort to support smaller nonprofits and individual artists outside of grantmaking through educational opportunities, Foundation time and expertise, trainings, networking and more. Originally, More than Money programming was offered to Small and Mighty and Social Justice Fund grantees. In 2024, programming was opened to a wider audience.
“The Pittsburgh Foundation has always understood the needs of nonprofit leaders and that money alone is not sufficient,” says Khara Timsina, executive director of the Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh (BCAP). “We also need technical education and technical assistance, and the Foundation has come forward to provide that.”
More than Money includes activities such as networking events, grant writing workshops that detail best practices for applying for funding, and financial workshops.
“We are bringing clarity to the grantmaking process,” says Traci Johnson, director of grantmaking for the Foundation. “But it’s more than that, it’s also helping our grantees or prospective grantees adapt in a changing philanthropic world so they can thrive and advance their missions.”
Timsina has attended nearly every More than Money event and says he’ll continue to do so. Initially, BCAP received funding from The Pittsburgh Foundation’s Small and Mighty grant program, which makes grants to nonprofits that have budgets under $600,000 annually. But it has grown during its 16 years in Pittsburgh and is now part of Foundation-directed grantmaking. Timsina, who does not have a background in nonprofit leadership, credits efforts such as More than Money with helping his organization expand and thrive.
Rev. Waite also did not have a background in nonprofit management. He has attended every session. “I learn something new every time I walk in that door,” he explains.
In addition to learning, grantees say that the networking component of each event is crucial for smaller nonprofits, allowing leaders to connect with peers.
“Being visible and more present in the nonprofit community helps us in our work for the greater community,” says Richard Krug, executive director of Shepherd Wellness Community, which provides wellness information and social support for people living with HIV/AIDS. “We don’t provide medical care, but there are organizations that do, and we need organizations that offer other services to let people know about Shepherd Wellness, just as we advocate for other nonprofits.”
More than Money goes beyond educational events. Last year, the Foundation worked with Bakari Kitwana, a cultural critic, journalist, activist and thought leader in the area of hip-hop, youth culture and Black political engagement, to elevate the stories of more than 20 Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh grantees. The result was a series of stories on the Pittsburgh arts scene from NewsOne, a website for and about Black America.
The Pittsburgh Foundation will continue to support nonprofits with More than Money opportunities slated for 2025.
Chatting at the May 2024 grant-writing workshop held at Nova Place are Erin McAuley, left, and April Jackson, both with Open Up Pittsburgh, an organization that develops mindfulness tools through movement practices and interactive arts while centering people living with disabilities.
