CONTACT: Jake Goodman, Executive Director, 412-362-1300, jgoodman [at] theopportunityfund.org
PITTSBURGH, PA, December 11, 2019 — The Opportunity Fund announces support totaling $896,200 in its eighth cycle of funding. The Board of Directors funded 68 out of 137 requests that were seeking a total of $2,390,524. A portion of the grants were based on the recommendations of a panel of seven community members. A complete list of awarded grants can be found below.
Including the current grant cycle, the foundation has awarded 421 grants totaling over $5.3 million since its inception in 2015. Grant cycles take place twice a year. Letter of Inquiry deadlines are around January 15 and July 15 each year. Full information about applying for grants is available in the “For Applicants” area of our website.
Abolitionist Law Center ($12,500) to support general operations and an expansion of its focus on Allegheny County through an increased litigation strategy and creation of a courtwatch program to gather and disseminate information on bail, probation, charging decisions, and racial disparities to the public.
Abolitionist Law Center ($10,000) to support the Prisoner Justice & Whistleblower Support Campaign in assisting and supporting prisoners in county jails, state prisons, and immigrant detention facilities. The campaign supports and protects jailhouse lawyers and prisoner whistle-blowers while they expose and litigate human rights violations and other issues as it pertains to mass incarceration.
Alliance for Global Justice ($20,000) to support the Bukit Bail Fund of Pittsburgh in providing financial assistance to people who are being held in the Allegheny County Jail (ACJ) due to an inability to meet cash bail. Services prioritize those held in the ACJ who are Black, Brown, trans, or in need of immediate medical assistance.
AsylumConnect ($7,000) to support general operations and an improved version of the first ever resource app for LGBTQ asylum seekers in the greater Pittsburgh community.
Autism Urban Connections ($10,000) to support African American, minority, and economically disadvantaged families of the autism community by providing resources, education, and various supports throughout their journey of learning and living with autism.
Bach Choir of Pittsburgh ($5,000) to support Mary Shelly: Frankenstein Reimagined, a newly-commissioned work by composer Ben Opie in a jazz, funk, hip-hop style. The Bach Choir will perform the work as soundtrack to the 1931 Frankenstein film.
Balafon West African Dance Ensemble ($10,000) to support general operations and Balafon’s Managing Director to expand programming, increase earned revenue, develop educational materials, and expand Balafon’s community arts education programs and partnerships.
Beverly’s Birthdays ($7,500) to support programming for The Birthday Boutique, a mobile fashion truck that travels to group birthday celebrations held at residential treatment facilities, shelters, and family support centers. Birthday recipients and their families have the ability to board the truck and “shop” for new clothing.
Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation ($5,000) to support programs, projects and activities that assist those living in the Garfield, Bloomfield, and Friendship neighborhoods facing challenging circumstances and that capitalize on opportunities to improve the physical and economic environment of the larger community.
Bunker Projects ($7,500) to support the general operations of Bunker Projects, an artist-run residency and experimental gallery space that serves as a platform for emerging artists to develop their practice and create new works for exhibition.
C-clear Empowerment ($10,000) to support the completion of a community innovation and empowerment center in McKeesport. The center will offer public forums, art based instruction, technology development, and a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs, makers, and product developers to stimulate job creation.
Center for Employment Opportunities ($10,000) to support individuals who were recently incarcerated, at high risk of being re-incarcerated, unemployed, and in need of immediate income. CEO provides comprehensive employment services to help Pittsburgh individuals secure and sustain jobs, offering a pathway to long-term stability and economic opportunity.
Chatham Baroque ($7,500) to support general operations for the 2019/2020 Season of Chatham Baroque + Renaissance & Baroque programs that connect diverse audiences to the passion and depth of the music of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, and Early Classical periods through vivid and compelling performances and educational experiences.
City of Asylum Pittsburgh ($45,000 over 3 years) to support general operations. City of Asylum provides sanctuary to endangered literary writers and a broad range of literary programs in a variety of community settings to encourage cross-cultural exchange.
City Theatre Company ($10,000) to support the Momentum Play Development Series, focused on bringing plays to a finished product and prospecting new works that will find their way to world premiere productions in 1-3 years.
Community Justice Project ($10,000) to support impact litigation and other broad-based legal advocacy across Pennsylvania—especially in Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania—to protect the rights of low-income communities.
Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) ($15,000) to support general operations and programs in two cultural venues. KST is a catalyst for creative expression that brings diverse communities together. Focusing on the performing and media arts of our time, KST takes a multidisciplinary and inclusive approach to presenting contemporary performing arts.
CORNINGWORKS ($15,000) to support the development, creation, and production of The Tipping Point—a multi-disciplinary, immersive dance/theater performance that focuses on the refugee experience. Created in collaboration with Doctors Without Boarders and local refugee organizations, it will be performed at 25 Carrick.
Familylinks ($10,000) to support homeless youth (ages 16-21) to build a strong foundation for successful independent living and transition to safe and stable housing, through Familylinks’s Transitional Living Program.
Fractured Atlas ($5,000) to support folkLAB in the creation and documentation of three performance projects, including development of a first touring work, and to assist in creating additional co-programming and partnerships with aligned local community organizations.
Fractured Atlas ($10,000) to support the Other Border Wall Project, an international exhibition, public engagement art making, and conceptual campaign. The group will present an exhibition titled OBW 2020 at 937 Gallery in Pittsburgh in the Fall of 2020.
Gwen’s Girls ($10,000) to support the Gwendolyn J. Elliott Institute Speakers Bureau to educate the public on the inequities affecting Black girls and better equip organizations, agencies, and service providers to deliver informed quality services to Black girls in the Southwestern PA region.
Handmade Arcade ($10,000) to support Pittsburgh’s maker movement by providing craft-based artists, designers, and makers with opportunities to sell products, build community, network, and share their artistic practice.
Healthy Start Pittsburgh ($10,000) to support the Community Health Advocate program, which engages single black mothers who are living in high poverty, high disparity Pittsburgh neighborhoods. The program supports leadership and advocacy competencies among black women whom are underrepresented in decision-making processes that impact their families.
Hill Dance Academy Theatre ($15,000) to support general operations for HDAT’s 15th anniversary year and costs associated with producing the annual Spring Dance Concert featuring a commissioned piece by internationally-known choreographer, Ronald K. Brown.
Homeless Children’s Education Fund ($10,000) to support general operations toward providing a safety net that works directly with students, educators and housing partners to address critical needs including unstable housing, poverty, and domestic violence.
Human Services Center Corporation ($10,000) to support general operations of programs that work with clients to find a pathway out of poverty, including a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, Emerging Leaders Program, Supports for Success, and food pantry.
Kassia Ensemble ($10,000) to support Commission Music for 7, a new piece of music by composer Judith Shatin for 2 violins, viola, cello, bass, harp and clarinet that explores thematic material by the Ensemble’s namesake, the poet and Abbess, Kassia.
Kassia Ensemble ($10,000) to support a collaboration between Demaskus Theater collective, producer and artist Amanda Neatrour, and Kassia Ensemble to present Song from the Uproar, an all-female chamber opera by composer Missy Mizzoli. This production intends to highlight barriers for women in the performing arts seeking leadership opportunities, equal pay, and equal representation as writers and composers.
Kente Arts Alliance ($30,000 over 2 years) to support general operations and further implementation of Kente’s executive transition strategy. Kente Arts Alliance is an African American arts organization whose mission is to present high-quality art of the African Diaspora and to entertain, inform and uplift the residents of underserved communities.
KidsVoice ($20,000) to support the Data-Driven Magisterial District Judge Advocacy Initiative, a pilot program that leverages Allegheny County-provided data to expand representation of current and former foster youth in summary offense cases before magistrate district judges. The program helps clients avoid fines and criminal records which become barriers to employment and housing.
Latino Community Center ($30,000 over 2 years) to support the Supportive Service program for the Latino community in Allegheny County.
Lawrenceville United ($10,000) to support the Lawrenceville Housing Justice Project, designed to promote affordable and safe housing in Lawrenceville for the community’s most marginalized residents through direct support, advocacy, education, and coalition building.
New Century Careers ($10,000) to support MANUFACTURING 2000 (M2K), a tuition-free, pre-apprenticeship, entry-level machinist training program offered to unemployed job/career seekers and low-wage workers.
New Hazlett Center for the Performing Arts ($15,000) to support general operations to help the New Hazlett serve as a stable, affordable rental and support facility for Pittsburgh’s diverse artists and arts organizations.
New Horizon Theater ($10,000) to support the 2019/2020 Season and the organization’s mission to provide consistent, high-quality stage productions reflecting the African-American points of view, and to provide an ongoing venue for African-American writers and performers to further their professional development.
New Israel Fund (NIF) ($30,000 over 3 years) to support NIF and its partners in Israel working to safeguard democracy, human rights, social/economic justice, religious freedom, shared society, and equality for all of Israel’s citizens.
New Sun Rising ($10,000) to support Global Wordsmith’s Language Access Project, a robust program that provides translation and interpretation in multiple languages for local organizations at no cost, so that the services provided by these organizations can become accessible to English learning immigrants and refugees.
New Sun Rising ($7,500) to support the Pittonkatonk May Day Celebration in 2020. Pittonkatonk provides a platform for local performers and social justice groups from around the region in a performance with national and international performers from the African diaspora and Latin American.
New Sun Rising ($10,000) to support The Brown Mamas Monologue Project, an annual showcase of 10 African-American mothers telling unique stories about the trials and triumphs of motherhood. The event both gives a platform to Black mothers in need of an opportunity to share their motherhood narrative, and provides an opportunity to diversify the American motherhood narrative.
New Sun Rising ($10,700) to support Casey Droege Cultural Productions in providing a first year of programming at CDCP’s new project space with two new exhibitions of artists who work with textiles and found objects.
New Sun Rising ($15,000) to support the creative development of Casop: Requiem for Rice, the first full symphonic work written about slavery, including the commissioning of the completed piece and documentation of its creation in “Making ‘Requiem for Rice.'”
New Sun Rising ($15,000) to support general operations of PearlArts Studios|STAYCEE PEARL dance project & Soy Sos (SPdp&SS). SPdp&SS exists to interpret and mirror culture and community through dance and dance centered multi-media experiences. With diverse casting and programming, Pearl Arts explores innovative conceptual possibilities while participating in meaningful collaboration.
Northside Common Ministries – Program of Goodwill ($10,000) to support Be Well Pittsburgh in updating and expanding low-income healthcare resource information and outreach to underserved communities.
Off the Wall Productions ($7,500) to support the production and performance of six artistic works in the 2019/20 season. Off the Wall Productions presents live theater, dance, music, and comedy while nurturing and empowering women and LGBTQIA theater artists to collaborate as playwrights, directors, technicians, and actors.
The Open Door ($25,000) to support capital renovations and urgent repairs. The Open Door provides affordable, safe, and supportive homes for individuals living with HIV who are not eligible for more traditional housing programs.
Pittsburgh Glass Center (PGC) ($15,000) to support general operations that advance PGC’s mission through artistic activities such as classes, outreach, artist residencies, exhibitions, and studio rental.
Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company ($20,000) to support general operations and the 2019/20 Season of plays. Pittsburgh Playwrights is committed to developing and showcasing the works of local playwrights. The organization seeks to nurture a racially and culturally diverse community of playwrights, directors, actors, and technical specialists to hone their craft and to network creative opportunities.
Prime Stage Theatre ($5,000) to support general operations, including a season of plays at the New Hazlett Theater, expansion of accessibility programs, and a four-year strategic plan. Prime Stage entertains, inspires, and enriches by bringing literature to life through professional theatre.
Program to Aid Citizen Enterprise (PACE) ($10,000) to support operating expenses and current programming. PACE’s mission is to advance a more equitable community by increasing the capacity of individuals, groups and organizations that challenge injustice.
Quantum Theatre ($45,000 over 3 years) to support three seasons of environmentally-made productions, including several world or American premieres. Quantum is a company of progressive, professional artists dedicated to producing intimate and sophisticated theatrical experiences in uncommon settings, exploring universal themes of truth, beauty, and human relationships in unexpected ways.
Radiant Hall ($10,000) to support general operations as Radiant Hall builds a vibrant and sustainable support model for Pittsburgh’s working artists, centered around affordable studio space.
Serenity Living Transitional Home (SLTH) ($15,000) to support general operations for a housing and mentor program for homeless young people identifying as women aging out of foster care or experiencing homelessness due to unfortunate circumstances.
Shared Interest ($20,000 over two years) to support general operations for Shared Interest’s work providing loan guarantees to low-income borrowers of color in Southern Africa.
sisTers PGH ($20,000) to support general operations and SisTers PGH’s newly opened drop-in space that provides the transgender community with shelter, food, clothing, employment resources, housing resources, and a place to rest and commune during homelessness and/or during recreational activities and programs.
Texture Contemporary Ballet ($7,500) to support three main stage dance shows, three interactive children’s performances, two mini dance festivals, one choreography project, and several individual community based performances.
The Mattress Factory ($7,500) to support the development and growth of programming and materials relating to upcoming Mattress Factory exhibitions, including “2019 Factory Installed,” the Greer Lankton Archive, and “2020 Factory Installed.”
Thomas Merton Center ($5,000) to support Book ’Em: Books to Prisoners Project in implementing electrical, shelving, and workspace renovations. Book ‘Em is a volunteer organization that that reading and educational materials to prisoners across Pennsylvania.
Thomas Merton Center ($15,000) to support Pittsburghers for Public Transit’s campaigns detailed in the Riders’ Vision for Public Transit, calling for achievable and effective measures to grow transit ridership and equity in the region.
Touchstone Center for Crafts ($10,000) to support general operations of this three-seasons craft school located in the Laurel Highlands, PA. Touchstone’s programming includes contemporary and experimental techniques—in addition to traditional and historical methods—in disciplines such as blacksmithing, ceramics, metals, jewelry, glass, mosaics, fiber arts, painting, printmaking, and sculpture.
United Somali Bantu of Greater Pittsburgh ($10,000) to support continued development of essential social services for Somali Bantu refugees in Pittsburgh.
University of Pittsburgh / Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences ($15,000) to support the Skilled Employment for Re-entry and Reintegration in Western Pennsylvania program that will provide job training and job apprenticeship opportunities, along with wraparound case management and housing, for parolees discharged from Department of Corrections penitentiaries.
View ($25,000) to support debt reduction and operational expenses for this arts and community center dedicated to enriching, educating and inspiring residents and visitors to the Adirondacks.
Westend POWER ($5,000) to support support space, materials, stipends, and food for 10 community educational Civic Series events across Allegheny County.
Women and Girls Foundation ($10,000) to support WGF’s GirlGov program, which provides a justice-based advocacy, civic engagement, and leadership training to a diverse group of 135 young women representing 60 high schools and 6 counties in Southwest PA.
Women’s Law Project (WLP) ($15,000) to provide general operating support for WLP’s western Pennsylvania office. WLP works to create a more just and equitable society by advancing the rights and status of all women throughout their lives via high-impact litigation, advocacy, and education.
YWCA Greater Pittsburgh ($3,500) to support the Black & White Reunion and the 2020 Pittsburgh Racial Justice Summit, a flagship event for Pittsburgh organizers. The Summit creates opportunities for attendees to learn, connect, and act on behalf of racial justice.
Zellous Hope Project ($15,000) to support rent and general operations for this organization that offers a hands-on, strength-based approach to helping individuals experiencing poverty that have been relying on ‘alternative’ means of surviving and generating income.
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