Richard King Mellon Foundation photo: Richard King Mellon and Constance Prosser Mellon

History
The Foundation was created in 1947 by Richard King Mellon (1899-1970), chairman of Mellon Bank, conservationist, and dominant figure in the financial, industrial, and civic life of Pittsburgh for many years. Mr. Mellon served his country in both World Wars and in peacetime, attaining the rank of Lieutenant General, United States Army Reserve, and receiving the Distinguished Service Medal.

General Mellon appointed his wife, Constance Prosser Mellon, as the Foundation's first chairman, and she served from 1947 until her death in 1980. At that time the Mellons' older son, Richard P. Mellon, became chairman, and he continues to serve in this position. Their younger son, Seward Prosser Mellon, serves as president and chairman of the Executive Committee.

Program Interests
With assets in excess of $2 billion as of December 31, 2006, the Richard King Mellon Foundation is among the largest independent foundations in the United States. The Foundation makes grants for such purposes as, in the judgment of the Trustees, will be "in the public interest." Priorities included regional economic development, the quality of life in southwestern Pennsylvania, land preservation, and watershed restoration and protection with an emphasis on western Pennsylvania.

For 60 years the Foundation has maintained a commitment to southwestern Pennsylvania. The Trustees have shown a preference for supporting established organizations with specific objectives, and for partnering with other donors rather than solely underwriting the entire cost of projects. The Trustees believe that this policy allows the Foundation's funds to benefit the largest number of people. In 2006, Trustees approved grants totaling $86,995,705.

In January 2005, the Trustees began working with a new set of priorities (see Funding Policy). The five program areas, each with a southwestern Pennsylvania focus, include Conservation; Regional Economic Development; Children, Youth, and Young Adults; Education; and Human Services and Nonprofit Capacity Building.

The Foundation will not consider requests on behalf of individuals or from outside the United States. It does not encourage requests from outside Pennsylvania. Priority is given to projects and programs that have both clearly defined goals and plans to document progress and results.

Geographic Focus
The Foundation does not fund outside the United States. Its funds are committed almost exclusively to southwestern Pennsylvania.


History, Program Interests, and Geographic Focus | Funding Policy

Grants Approved in 2009 2008 2007

Grant Application Process & Form | Trustees, Officers and Program Staff

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