Buhl Foundation (PA)
Giving Contact
Doreen E. Boyce, President
650 Smithfield St., Suite 2300
Pittsburgh, PA 15222 USA
Phone: (412)566-2711
Fax: (412)566-2714
Donor Information
Founder: The Buhls, a German merchant family for nine generations, immigrated to Zelienople, PA, around 1800. The Buhls established a legacy of concerned citizenship in Pennsylvania, as evidenced by their last heir, Henry Buhl Jr. Trained as a merchant, he and his friend, Russell H. Boggs, established a profitable dry goods store in 1869. As he neared the end of his life, Mr. Buhl considered the future of his fortune. Because he had no children or other direct heirs, he established the Buhl Foundation as a memorial to his wife, Louise C. Buhl, and dedicated it to "charitable, educational, and public uses and purposes," to benefit "the citizens of the City of Pittsburgh and the County of Allegheny, Pennsylvania" first and foremost where he lived and "engaged in business activities and formed friendships." Henry Buhl, Jr., died in 1927.
Giving Philosophy
The foundation's focus is on innovation, with emphasis on funding "opportunities with potential impact beyond the institution which has been funded." The foundation's concerns include "the developing and harnessing of new technologies to address the administration and purposes of organizations or processes of learning and teaching. . .the investigation of problems with a view to generating creative solutions and cooperation among diverse disciplines or organizations..(and) the generation and dissemination of new knowledge where that knowledge has the possibility of direct practical application." The foundation's board of managers designated that proposals with the following characteristics are of particular interest: educational programs; programs for young people; studies to produce practical applications which make a contribution to basic theory; attempts which relate specialists in a common approach to problems or which call for cooperative efforts among separate agencies; institutional, experimental, or demonstrational approaches to resolving problems when they are innovative; and previously supported and promising programs where time extension or new developments afford opportunity for enhancement of values.
Financial Summary
TOTAL GIVING: $2,598,107 (fiscal year ending June 30, 2002); $4,396,118 (fiscal 2001); $2,579,150 (fiscal 1999 approx)
GIVING ANALYSIS: Giving for fiscal 2001 includes: foundation matching gifts ($23,336); fiscal 1999: foundation grants to United Way ($1,000); fiscal 1998: foundation grants to United Way ($221,000)
ASSETS: $72,319,732 (fiscal 2002); $80,664,699 (fiscal 2001); $4,269,428 (fiscal 2000)
Typical Recipients
ARTS & HUMANITIES: Arts Funds, Arts Outreach, Ballet, Film & Video, Arts & Humanities-General, Historic Preservation, History & Archaeology, Libraries, Literary Arts, Museums/Galleries, Music, Opera, Performing Arts, Public Broadcasting, Theater
CIVIC & PUBLIC AFFAIRS: African American Affairs, Business/Free Enterprise, Economic Development, Economic Policy, Employment/Job Training, Civic & Public Affairs-General, Housing, Minority Business, Nonprofit Management, Philanthropic Organizations, Public Policy, Urban & Community Affairs, Women's Affairs
EDUCATION: Arts/Humanities Education, Business Education, Colleges & Universities, Community & Junior Colleges, Education Associations, Education Funds, Education Reform, Elementary Education (Private), Environmental Education, Faculty Development, Education-General, Gifted & Talented Programs, Leadership Training, Literacy, Minority Education, Preschool Education, Private Education (Precollege), Public Education (Precollege), School Volunteerism, Science/Mathematics Education, Secondary Education (Private), Secondary Education (Public), Social Sciences Education, Special Education, Vocational & Technical Education
ENVIRONMENT: Environment-General, Wildlife Protection
HEALTH: Cancer, Children's Health/Hospitals, Emergency/Ambulance Services, Health Organizations, Heart, Hospitals, Mental Health, Nursing Services
RELIGION: Ministries, Religious Organizations, Religious Welfare
SCIENCE: Observatories & Planetariums, Scientific Centers & Institutes
SOCIAL SERVICES: At-Risk Youth, Child Abuse, Child Welfare, Community Service Organizations, Crime Prevention, Day Care, Delinquency & Criminal Rehabilitation, Food/Clothing Distribution, People with Disabilities, Recreation & Athletics, Scouts, Sexual Abuse, Social Services-General, Substance Abuse, YMCA/YWCA/YMHA/YWHA, Youth Organizations
Contributions Analysis
GIVING PRIORITIES: Project support, primarily in the field of education.
ARTS & HUMANITIES: 18%. Funds the arts, theater, music, and libraries.
CIVIC & PUBLIC AFFAIRS: 10%. Funds community education and job training programs, community foundations, and leadership programs.
EDUCATION: 42%. Funds colleges and universities, boards of education, and elementary education programs.
ENVIRONMENT: 5%. Funds conservation.
RELIGION: 10%. Supports religious causes and ministries.
SOCIAL SERVICES: 15%. Funds social services, rehabilitation centers, and the United Way.
NOTE: Total contributions made in fiscal 2001.
Application Procedures
INITIAL CONTACT: Send a letter of inquiry to the president. A formal proposal will be requested if the foundation is interested.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Statement of objectives for the project and the means by which they will be achieved, including staff qualifications and a timetable; proof of need for the project, its uniqueness in comparison to other work being done in a similar area, and the result anticipated; documentation of procedures for evaluation of anticipated results; itemized budget indicating resources required for the project, other possible funding sources, and the amount requested of them; general information about the applying agency including its name, address, telephone number, contact person, executive director, members of the board, brief history, mission, tax-exempt status, and ability to initiate and sustain the project; and a statement that the proposal has been approved for submission to the foundation by the executive director of the applying organization.
DEADLINES: None. Organizations should submit proposals at least two months before consideration may be given by the board.
REVIEW PROCESS: If the foundation is interested in the proposed project, an interview will be scheduled. Grant decisions are made at monthly board meetings.
Restrictions
Grants generally are not made for building funds, overhead costs, accumulated deficits, ordinary operating budgets, fundraising campaigns, loans, scholarships, fellowships, nationally funded organized groups, conferences, seminars (unless grant-related), propaganda, sectarian religious activities, or lobbying. Grants are not made to other foundations or to individuals.
Foundation Officials
Dr. Doreen Elizabeth Boyce: president. BORN: Antofagasta, Chile 1934. EDUCATION: Oxford University BA (1956); Oxford University MA (1960); University of Pittsburgh PhD (1983); Westminster College B Humane Lit (1986); Washington & Jefferson College DHL (1993). NONPROFIT EMPLOYER: president: Buhl Foundation. CORPORATE AFFILIATION: director: Orbeco Analytical Services, Inc.; director: Duquesne Light Co.; director: Microbac Laboratories Inc.; director: Dollar Bank, FSB; director: DQE Inc. NONPROFIT AFFILIATION: director: Research for Better School; member appeals committee: Somerville College (Oxford, England); member: Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania; member: International Womens Forum; director: Council Independent Colleges; trustee: Franklin & Marshall College; member: American Economic Association; trustee: Carnegie Science Center; member: American Association Higher Education. CLUB AFFILIATION: member: Duquesne Club.
Helen S. Faison: trustee, director.
Francis B. Nimick, Jr.: chairman board directors.. EDUCATION: Princeton University (1939); Harvard University (1941). NONPROFIT AFFILIATION: chairman: Allegheny General Hospital; vice president, director: W Pennsylvania School Deaf.
William H. Rea: trustee, director. BORN: Pittsburgh, PA 1912. CORPORATE EMPLOYER: director: Colt Industries Inc.
Jean A. Robinson: vice chairman.
Albert Clarence Van Dusen: trustee, director. BORN: Tampa, FL August 30, 1915. EDUCATION: University of Florida BS (1937); University of Florida AM (1938); Northwestern University PhD (1942). CORPORATE AFFILIATION: director: Dollar Bank, FSB. NONPROFIT AFFILIATION: member: W Pennsylvania Council Economic Education; director: YMCA Pittsburgh; member: Sigma Xi; vice chancellor emeritus: University Pittsburgh; member: Pittsburgh Psychological Association; member: Professional School World Affairs Comm; vice chairman board trustees: Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation; member: Pennsylvania Public Television Network Committee; member: Phi Beta Kappa; vice chancellor emeritus, professor emeritus: Northwestern University; fellow: Pennsylvania Psychological Association; fellow: International Foundation Social Economic Development; member: Midwest Psychological Association; member: International Association School Institute Administration; member: Friends Art Pittsburgh Schools; member: International Association Applied Psychology; member: Beta Theta Pi; member: Eastern Psychological Association; member: Association Deans Dir Summer Sessions; member: Beta Gamma Sigma; fellow: American Psychological Society; member: American Personal Guidance Association; fellow: American Psychological Association; member: American College Public Relations Association; director: American Japan Society Pittsburgh. CLUB AFFILIATION: University Pittsburgh Club; Duquesne Club.
Marsha Zahumensky: secretary, treasurer.
Grants Analysis
Disclosure Period: fiscal year ending June 30, 2001
Total Grants: $4,372,782*
Number Of Grants: 87
Average Grant: $45,032*
Highest Grant: $500,000
Lowest Grant: $1,000
Typical Range: $20,000 to $100,000
Note: Giving excludes matching gifts. Average grant figure excludes highest grant.
Recent Grants
Note: Grants derived from fiscal 2000 Form 990.
Arts & Humanities
250,000: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of customer research component of "Agenda for Change: Planning for the Future"
200,000: Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of Visitor Center and Pedestrian Wayfinder
178,000: WQED Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of "Something About Oakland"
131,050: La Roche College, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of integrated online library system for the college library
50,000: River City Brass Band, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of Music Publishing subsidiary
35,000: Pittsburgh Children's Museum, The, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of planning process for Pittsburgh Children's Center
35,000: Three River Connect, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of information Common 2000, Smart Building
30,000: Pittsburgh Symphony Society, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of in-school Music Education programs, over two years
25,000: WITF, Harrisburg, PA — for support of Stephen Foster film project
20,000: Department of Theatre Arts
10,000: Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Pittsburgh, PA — support of Arts Education and Outreach Activities
8,400: River City Brass Band, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of student solo audition and festival pilot, payable from the McCreery Memorial Fund
Civic & Public Affairs
150,000: Manchester Youth Development, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of expansion of the center
50,000: Innovation Works, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA — for support of the EnterPrize Project
30,000: Education Policy and Issues Center, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of Achievement of the Fifth Grade
30,000: Pennsylvania Economy League, Pittsburgh, PA
26,675: Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of ERISS project
15,000: Greater Pittsburgh Charitable Trust, Pittsburgh, PA
Education
200,000: Carnegie Institute Science Center, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood Planetarium Show
173,375: Mount Aloysius College, Cresson, PA — for support in development of interactive classroom
160,000: Robert Morris College, Coraopolis, PA — for support of computer integrated engineering enterprise
150,000: Board of Education School District of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA — support of PRIME Initiative, over three years - payable from the Frick Educational Fund
150,000: Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of curricular integration through technology
136,000: Waynesburg College, Waynesburg, PA — for support of electronic portfolio project
88,000: Carlow College, Pittsburgh, PA — support of electronic Technology for the new A.J. Palumbo Hall of Science and Technology
60,000: Carnegie Institute Science Center, Pittsburgh, PA — support of "The New Cosmos" 60th Anniversary Planetarium Show
60,000: Chatham College, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of Pittsburgh Teachers Institute, payable from the Frick Educational Fund
50,275: Mount Ararat Community Activity Center, Pittsburgh, PA — for support in development of computer laboratory
50,000: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of Big Signal Project
40,000: Board of Education School District of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of Board of Education training component of the Leadership Transition Initiative
30,000: Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of "Teamwork Through Technology: A Model for Teacher Training"
25,000: I Have a Dream Foundation of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of computer component of Dreamer's Hall, over three years
10,000: Board of Education School District of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of PPS/Pittsburgh Voyager Venture
10,000: Board of Education School District of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of National Board Teacher Certification Project, payable for the Frick Educational Fund
Environment
500,000: National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Washington, DC — support of Phase II Expansion: The Ends of the Earth
Health
149,000: Urban League of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of information technology upgrade and training
79,150: RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA
15,500: Allegheny Intermediate Unit, Pittsburgh, PA — support of dinner program
12,550: Holiday Park Elementary School, Plum, PA — for support of manipulative lab for mathematics, payable from the Frick Educational
12,500: Allegheny Intermediate Unit, Pittsburgh, PA — purchase of scanners in connection with the development of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Educator Clearinghouse
10,000: Saltworks Theater Company, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of "2COOL" drug and alcohol prevention program, payable from the Frick Educational Fund
Social Services
200,000: Pittsburgh Foundation, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of Allegheny County Department of Human Services Data Warehouse
111,670: Young Men's Christian Association of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
90,000: Girl Scouts of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of management information system for Regional Alliance Initiative
85,250: Louise Child Care, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of data communications system
50,000: Northside Leadership Conference, Pittsburgh, PA — for support in development of a Business Improvement District on Western Avenue
20,000: Center for University Outreach — for support of DASH project
10,000: Bethel Community Center, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of after-school program, payable from the Frick Educational Fund
10,000: Goodwill Industries of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA — for continued support of Computer Recycling Center
10,000: Pittsburgh Glass Center, Pittsburgh, PA — for support of start-up of the Center