Contact:	Mark S. Bibro, Executive Director
Phone:	(412) 481-2777
Fax:	(412) 481-2727
Email:	info@bfpgh.org

SOUTH SIDE, July 8, 2009 – The South Side-based Birmingham Foundation has awarded 33 grants totaling $924,650 in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009 to 29 organizations that improve the quality of life in the neighborhoods of South Pittsburgh. This year's awards also mark a significant milestone in the organization's history: since it began grantmaking in 1997, the Foundation has distributed more than $10 million to nonprofits providing health and human services programs in its South Pittsburgh service area.

"The Foundation is fortunate to have been able to consistently provide support for worthy programs aimed at improving the lives of residents in its service area, even in 2008 and 2009, two very challenging years for area foundations, nonprofit organizations, and residents of South Pittsburgh," said Terry Wirginis, Board Chair.

In 2009, the Foundation's grantmaking focused on youth programs. According to Carey Harris, who chairs the Grant Committee, "We believe that by investing in young people today, we not only enhance life in South Pittsburgh now, but also position our neighborhoods and this next generation of community leaders to thrive in the future."

Among the Foundation's largest youth-oriented grants in 2009 were $89,550 to the Voices Against Violence summer camp in Beltzhoover, one of only two programs held throughout the summer in the Hilltop area, and $50,000 to YouthWorks for youth employment opportunities and career preparation. The Pittsburgh Promise scholarship program, which has benefited more than 200 Carrick and Brashear high school students, received $184,000 in Foundation funding in 2008 and 2009. Grants were also awarded to youth mentoring programs offered by Big Brothers Big Sisters, the CLAAY Program at Duquesne University, and Strong Women, Strong Girls.

The Foundation's recent grantmaking also supported numerous health and human services programs, including a $50,000 grant to the Dollar Energy Fund and a $75,000 grant to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, providing much-needed safety nets for families in South Pittsburgh during the winter. In addition, $20,000 was granted to renovate the Birmingham Clinic, a free clinic in the South Side Flats, and $10,000 was awarded to SIDS of PA for safe-sleep education and outreach in the Hilltop communities, which have had the highest rates of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome-related deaths in Pittsburgh.

A commemoration of the Foundation's $10 million in grantmaking that celebrates the work of its grantees will be published in early 2010. To receive more information or for a copy of this report, please contact the Birmingham Foundation at 412-481-2777. Grant guidelines, a summary of grant awards to date, and a listing of the Foundation's board and committee members can also be found at our recently enhanced website, www.birminghamfoundation.org.