Applying for a Grant from the Pittsburgh Child Guidance Foundation

The Pittsburgh Child Guidance Foundation (PCGF) is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children and youth living in Allegheny County by providing grants and collaborating with public and private organizations to implement innovative policies, practices and programs.  PCGF and valued partners collaborative to have a positive impact on the lives of children and youth by changing their behavior, their minds, their experiences, and ultimately, their lives.

For the past nine years, PCGF has focused its efforts on mitigating the circumstances of families with children who are experiencing homelessness often by supporting parents who serve as the children’s primary caregivers. During and immediately following the pandemic, Foundation personnel realized that the magnitude of related issues – skyrocketing housing costs, mental and physical health, the shortage of options for the unhoused – was overwhelming.

In 2023, PCGF’s Executive Director initiated a series of discussions with Trustees and service providers to determine ways the Foundation could have a more direct, positive impact on the lives of disadvantaged children and youth.

Trustees agreed to focus on programs that help children and youth with social and emotional development that will enable them to learn skills that will serve them for many years to come.

PCGF seeks to support programs that focus on these goals:

  • Encourage completion of high school
  • Increase self-confidence
  • Foster interest in exploration of career opportunities
  • Connect children and youth with role models
  • Teach life and work ready skills

By focusing on this area of emphasis, the Foundation will continue to support many programs that aid youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The tangible and intangible skills children develop through social and emotional learning (SEL) programs will help them to thrive in the future. Grant applications will be accepted through October 11, 2024.

If there is a fit between what we fund and your organizations’ mission, we invite you to submit a proposal that includes the following information:

  • Name, street address, email address, phone number, of the key contact(s)
  • Amount being requested
  • State how it would be used; who are the beneficiaries
  • Identify your geographic service areas
  • State how your work aligns with our mission, an overview of your organization;
  • Who your other partners are for this particular program
  • What the goals are for the program we would support
  • Time frame of program
  • State how will you measure the success of the program
  • Copy of the budget for the program
  • Program for which you are requesting funding as a Word document
  • Any previous funding your organization has received from PCGF (a mention – not a detailed report)
  • Copy of your 501(c)3 determination
  • List of current board members
  • Completed Project Overview and Outcomes Planning Form: Download as PDF | Download as DOCX
  • On a separate page, please include a one to two page summary of the program for which you are seeking funding.

Submit your proposal as a Word document addressed to Executive Director, Pittsburgh Child Guidance Foundation, 611 William Penn Place, Suite 303, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Please note: PCGF supports organizations that do not intend to deny services, employment, or volunteer involvement based on age, ancestry or national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, physical or mental disability, or religion. It is not the intent of this policy to deny support for programs that serve specifically defined populations.

For programs that serve a specifically defined population, if your program is unable to fulfill a request for services, your program shall make an appropriate referral and assist the requester in identifying an appropriate agency.</p>

The Foundation is an active investor. Trustees and staff visit funding agencies and review reports. Groups that welcome partnerships with funders are best able to utilize the Foundation’s assistance.

If your organization is approved to receive funding, we will request a final report at the end of your one-year grant.

This invitation does not guarantee funding from the Pittsburgh Child Guidance Foundation. It presents the opportunity to submit an application.

Feel free to call me at (412) 434-1665 if you have any questions. Thanks for your interest.

Pamela Golden
Executive Director

Click here to download these guidelines as a PDF.