Jefferson Regional Foundation is a network of more than 100 organizations located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that focuses on grantmaking in the Pittsburgh area. 12
The foundation’s strategic priorities include the left-of-center concept of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). 31
History and Leadership
In 2013, Jefferson Regional Foundation was launched after Jefferson Hospital became an affiliate of Allegheny Health Network. Terms of the deal stipulated that the Allegheny Health Network set aside $75 million for the foundation to focus on grants for areas near the hospital. 45
Trisha Gadson has been the chief executive officer of Jefferson Regional Foundation since 2022. Gadson has expressed strong support for the far-left concept of racial equity and has worked in the critical race theory-influenced diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) space. She has been recognized as a “diversity and inclusion facilitator” and won an equity and leadership award from the African American Strategic Partnership. 6
Mary Phan-Gruber was the CEO of Jefferson Regional Foundation from 2013 to 2022. 7
In May 2024, Jefferson Regional Foundation community engagement manager Daniel Vereb participated in a Council on Foundations panel regarding civic engagement and democracy that was presented by the Funders Committee for Civic Participation and the left-of-center Philanthropy for Voter Engagement. Other speakers at the event were representatives from the Funders Committee for Civic Participation, Council on Foundations, and Philanthropy for Voter Engagement project Nonprofit VOTE. 8
Activities and Funding
Jefferson Regional Foundation has a network of more than 100 organizations in the area surrounding Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Foundation hosts annual conferences, 9 holds quarterly meetings of its members, and focuses much of its work on community activism and healthcare-related causes and organizations. 12
The foundation’s strategic priorities include the far-left concept of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); health and wellness; capacity building; civic engagement and policy development; early childhood development; and workforce and economic opportunity. 101
In April 2023, Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis (D) spoke at an event celebrating Jefferson Regional Foundation’s tenth anniversary. 4
Jefferson Regional Foundation hosts and fully staffs the Jefferson Collaborative. 11 The collaborative supports the far-left concept of diversity, equity, and racial justice. It champions left-of-center conceptions of racial justice and has operated trainings on “implicit bias” for organizations in Western Pennsylvania. 12
Grantmaking
Since its founding in 2013, Jefferson Regional Foundation has made more than $17 million in grants to 120 different organizations. 1 The foundation’s grantmaking is required to support organizations in the South Hills and Lower Mon Valley region south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 13
In 2022, Jefferson Regional Foundation made $2,630,250 in grants. Recipients included the American National Red Cross, Black Women’s Policy Center, Citizen Science Lab, Latino Community Center, The Mon Valley Initiative, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and When She Thrives. 14
Funding
Jefferson Regional Foundation received $75 million when the organization was founded in 2013 after Jefferson Hospital became an affiliate of Allegheny Health Network. 155 As of 2022, Jefferson Regional Foundation’s revenue comes from investment income. 16
In 2022, the foundation reported revenue of $4,200,971 and expenses of $3,940,147. In 2021, Jefferson Regional Foundation reported revenue of $8,684,501 and expenses of $3,970,339. 17
All-time grants received statistics from Candid dataset:
Total Grant Value:$244,400
Number of Grants:16
Number of Funders:6
Selection of highest value grants received from the last seven years:
Amount
Year
Funder
Subject
$400
2021
Donald & Donna Mosites Family Foundation
PROMOTE ONGOING WORK OF CHARITY
All-time grants given statistics from Candid dataset:
Total Grant Value:$26,331,960
Number of Grants:399
Number of Recipients:178
Selection of highest value grants given from the last seven years:
Amount
Year
Funder
Subject
$350,000
2023
Mon Valley Initiative
PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATIONAL SUPPORT TO STRENGTHEN MVIS ABILITY TO OFFER HEALTHY OPPORTUNITIES AND ADDRESS THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH FOR MON VALLEY RESIDENTS WHICH INCLUDE SERVICES RELATED TO HOUSING, EDUCATION, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. ASSIST UNEMPLOYED AND UNDER-EMPLOYED JEFFERSON RESIDENTS IN ACHIEVING THEIR GOALS OF FINANCIAL SELF- SUFFICIENCY THROUGH OFFERING A COMPREHENSIVE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
$276,000
2022
Highmark Health and Allegheny Health Network
ENHANCE RECOVERY MEDICINE SERVICES FOR JEFFERSON RESIDENTS EXPERIENCING SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER AND OPIOID USE DISORDER THROUGH SUPPORT OF SOCIAL WORK, PEER RECOVERY SPECIALISTS AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE STAFF TO ESTABLISH AN ONSITE PROGRAM AT JEFFERSON HOSPITAL BY 2023.
$250,000
2020
Carnegie Library of Homestead
Support afterschool program expansion and library services to the community of west mifflin and provide capital support to improve the athletic club and music hall facilities to be welcoming and usable for all jefferson residents.
$250,000
2020
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
Provide capital support to renovate and expand the existing facility in duquesne to meet the increased demand for fresh produce, to serve 200 families/month through a new model food pantry and offer a test kitchen and classroom for cooking classes, and to streamline warehouse operations.
$225,000
2021
Primary Care Health Services Inc
EXPAND QUALITY PRIMARY CARE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES THROUGH THE STEEL VALLEY HEALTH CENTER WHILE DEVELOPING A LONGER-TERM STRATEGY FOR FUTURE GROWTH, QUALITY, AND CAPACITY TO SERVE THE MON VALLEY AREA.
$210,000
2022
Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh
STRENGTHEN HEALTHY OPPORTUNITIES AND OPTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL BHUTANESE COMMUNITY BY BUILDING AND RETAINING STAFF CAPACITY AND MOVING FORWARD WITH A STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS.
$200,000
2024
United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania
PROVIDE IN-PERSON SUMMER PROGRAMMING WITH HANDS-ON AND SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL BY MANAGING AND IMPLEMENTING ACOLLABORATIVE FUNDING MODEL.
$200,000
2022
The Blessing Board
INCREASE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND OVERALL HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOR MORE LOW-INCOME JEFFERSON FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS BY SUPPORTING THE OPERATIONS AND SUSTAINABILITY OF A FURNITURE BANK AT A NEW WEST MIFFLIN SITE.
$200,000
2021
Allegheny County Through Its Department of Human Services
ASSIST IN SUPPORTING YOUTH AND FAMILIES IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY WITH THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19 BY PROVIDING COMMUNITY LEARNING HUBS FOR STUDENTS IN THE JEFFERSON REGION.
$200,000
2021
Southwestern Pennsylvania Partnership for Aging
CREATE A MORE INCLUSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD ENVIRONMENT FOR JEFFERSON OLDER ADULTS BY IMPROVING ACCESS TO RESOURCES IN NEIGHBORHOODS AND TO HEALTH SYSTEMS, STRENGTHENING INTERGENERATIONAL CONNECTIONS TO REDUCE ISOLATION AND LONELINESS, AND CHAMPION NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND IDEAS THROUGH A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT.
$200,000
2020
Ccac Educational Foundation
Renovate outdated ccac south labs to meet professional standards for instruction in medical assistant and medical laboratory technician courses and pilot a health careers summer program for jefferson area high school students.
$200,000
2020
South Hills Interfaith Movement
Provide support to shims do more good campaign to build long-term sustainability and a comprehensive service delivery model needed to support the 7,500 south hills individuals facing suburban poverty by meeting basic needs, building community, and achieving self-sufficiency.
$195,000
2023
Black Womens Policy Center
IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF BLACK WOMEN LIVING IN MCKEESPORT, DUQUESNE, CLAIRTON, WEST MIFFLIN AND HOMESTEAD AND SHARE THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCE BY OFFERING SUPPORT AND COACHING THROUGH SYSTEM NAVIGATION, CONNECTION TO RESOURCES, ADVOCACY ON SHAPING PUBLIC POLICY, AND TRAINING AND EDUCATION. SECURE A NEW LOCATION FOR THE BLACK WOMEN'S POLICY CENTER TO CONTINUE ITS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WORK. HOLD A TOTAL OF NINE CONVENINGS WITH BLACK WOMEN FROM CLAIRTON, MCKEESPORT, AND DUQUESNE THROUGH CREATION OF AN 8-10 WOMEN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL.
$195,000
2021
The Latino Community Center Inc
INCREASE THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF LATINX FAMILIES LIVING IN JEFFERSON COMMUNITIES BY EXPANDING THE SUCCESSFUL FAMILY SERVICES AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OFFERED BY THE LATINO COMMUNITY CENTER WHICH INCLUDES CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER SERVICES, PARENTING SUPPORT, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMING.
$185,000
2023
Melting Pot Ministries
SUPPORT POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT FOR YOUTH AND THEIR CAREGIVERS IN SOUTH PARK, BALDWIN-WHITEHALL, AND BETHEL PARK BY PROVIDING AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMMING FOCUSED ON EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL, AND CULTURAL LIFE CHALLENGES. HOLD FOUR CONVENINGS AT LOCAL SITES WITH RESIDENTS FROM BALDWIN, WHITEHALL, BETHEL PARK, AND SOUTH PARK WITH MEALS PROVIDED AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AUDIENCE MEMBERS TO SET THE AGENDA.
$180,000
2020
The Blessing Board
Increase the quality of life and overall health and wellness for low-income mckeesport families and individuals by supporting the expansion and sustainability of a mckeesport facility dedicated to collecting and providing furniture and home goods.
$170,000
2024
Melting Pot Ministries
SUPPORT POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT FOR YOUTH AND THEIR CAREGIVERS IN SOUTH PARK, BALDWIN-WHITEHALL, AND BETHEL PARK BY PROVIDING AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMMING FOCUSED ONEDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL, AND CULTURAL LIFE CHALLENGES. HOLD FOUR CONVENINGS AT LOCAL SITES WITH RESIDENTS FROM BALDWIN, WHITEHALL, BETHEL PARK, AND SOUTH PARK WITH MEALS PROVIDED AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AUDIENCE MEMBERS TO SET THE AGENDA.
$160,000
2024
South Hills Interfaith Movement
SHIM CENTER ACCESSIBILITY UPGRADES, BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS, SUMMER PROGRAM
$160,000
2021
Mon Valley Initiative
HELP UNEMPLOYED AND UNDER-EMPLOYED JEFFERSON RESIDENTS ACHIEVE FINANCIAL SELF- SUFFICIENCY THROUGH OFFERING A COMPREHENSIVE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AND ASSIST THE ORGANIZATION IN EXPANDING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES RELATED TO THE DISSOLUTION OF EDS.
$155,000
2024
Dragons Den
BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE, TRUST, AND SOCIABILITY OF JEFFERSON SCHOOL-AGE YOUTH AND DEVELOP DEEPER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN HOMESTEAD BY OFFERING AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, SUMMER CAMPS,AND INTRODUCING COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS/EVENTS USING THE CHALLENGE COURSE AND ZIP LINE IN THE HISTORIC ST. MARY MAGDALENE CHURCH.
$150,000
2024
Black Womens Policy Center
IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF BLACK WOMEN LIVING IN MCKEESPORT, DUQUESNE, CLAIRTON, WEST MIFFLIN AND HOMESTEAD AND SHARE THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCE BY OFFERING SUPPORT AND COACHING THROUGH SYSTEM NAVIGATION, CONNECTION TO RESOURCES, ADVOCACY ON SHAPING PUBLIC POLICY, AND TRAINING AND EDUCATION. SECURE A NEW LOCATION FOR THE BLACK WOMEN'S POLICY CENTER TO CONTINUE ITS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WORK. HOLD A TOTAL OF NINE CONVENINGS WITH BLACK WOMEN FROM CLAIRTON, MCKEESPORT, AND DUQUESNE THROUGH CREATION OF AN 8-10 WOMEN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL.
$150,000
2022
Literacy Pittsburgh
FOSTER A LIFETIME OF SUCCESS FOR JEFFERSON ADULT LEARNERS BY EXPANDING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH CAREER PATHWAYS IN CONSTRUCTION AND HEALTHCARE, IMPROVING EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR CARETAKERS AND THEIR CHILDREN, AND IMPARTING VITAL DIGITAL SKILLS.
$150,000
2022
Pennsylvania Women Work
PREPARE 100 IMMIGRANTS RESIDING IN JEFFERSON COMMUNITIES FOR LIFE-SUSTAINING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES BY PROVIDING INSTRUCTION, INDIVIDUALIZED COUNSELING, MENTORSHIP, AND SHORT-TERM TRAINING.
$150,000
2021
Dragons Den
BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE, TRUST, AND SOCIABILITY OF JEFFERSON SCHOOL-AGE YOUTH BY OFFERING SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS FOR 174 KIDS, CREATING AN OUTDOOR SIDEWALK CHALLENGE COURSE, AND EXPLORING YEAR-ROUND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMMING THROUGH LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS USING THE CHALLENGE COURSE AND ZIP LINE IN THE HISTORIC ST. MARY MAGDALENE CHURCH IN HOMESTEAD.
$150,000
2021
Neighborhood Resilience Project
ASSIST IN HELPING THE TRAUMA AFFECTED COMMUNITIES OF MCKEESPORT, DUQUESNE, AND CLAIRTON TO BECOME RESILIENT, HEALING, AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES BY TRAINING FIVE COHORTS OF COMMUNITY LEADERS IN THE TRAUMA INFORMED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MODEL AND ENGAGING COMMUNITY HEALTH DEPUTIES TO ASSIST WITH INCREASING THE HEALTH LITERACY (INCLUDING TESTING/VACCINATION FOR COVID-19) FOR RESIDENTS.
5. Tascarella, Patty. “Jefferson Regional Foundation sets new priorities guiding grants, initiatives.” Pittsburgh Business Times. February 10, 2021. Accessed via Web Archive May 15, 2024. https://archive.ph/wbha2#selection-1183.238-1190.0.
