Mcelhattan Foundation
The McElhattan Foundation is a Pittsburgh, PA private foundation focused on program areas including ending death on the job, economic development in Knox & Franklin, out-of-school-time learning, and end-of-life planning and care. The site describes rolling grantmaking, RFPs, recent grants, staff & board information, and contact details.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Nonprofit organizations aligned with the foundation’s program areas (ending death on the job, education and youth development, end-of-life planning and care, and economic development in Knox and Franklin counties), especially Pennsylvania-based groups or nationally recognized organizations working on those themes.
Good Fit
- • Clear alignment with one of the foundation’s stated program areas.
- • Organization is based in Pennsylvania or has a demonstrable impact in Knox/Franklin counties.
- • Request for general operating support or multi-year support rather than a highly experimental pilot.
- • Capacity to manage grants in the $25K–$250K range (typical award sizes observed).
- • Willingness to follow LOI and application steps posted on the foundation website.
Geography
Giving is heavily concentrated in Pennsylvania: in the latest year roughly 84% of dollars and 95% of grants went to PA recipients, with only a handful of out-of-state awards across five states.
Recipient Variety
The foundation supported a large and varied set of independent recipients each year (about 100 distinct grantees in recent years and 105 in 2024), with a substantial number of new entrants observed in the latest year.
New Applicants
Direct evidence supports entry by unfamiliar applicants: the foundation publishes application guidance, provides named program contacts and LOI submission instructions, and about half of 2024 recipients were new to the portfolio, indicating active turnover and openness.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
