FISA grants address systemic racism
A major component of FISA Foundation’s mission is to provide funding to help people with disabilities.
So when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the Downtown-based philanthropy became concerned that nonprofits that assist those individuals would be scrambling for money to buy masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment.
Agencies would also need to set up systems to provide remote education and therapy when schools and medical offices shut down.
“We really did worry about the impact of COVID19 on our population,” said Kristy Trautmann, executive director of the philanthropy, which focuses on funding initiatives that improve the lives of women and girls, as well as people with disabilities.
The foundation awarded just over $1.4 million in grants during the fiscal year that ended June 30.
In the fourth quarter, it approved grants totaling more than $250,000 that include $55,000 to agencies that are helping people with disabilities cope with added challenges brought on by the coronavirus crisis.
Among the grants was $10,000 to Global Links to procure and distribute clear face masks for people who are deaf or have other disabilities.
Other grants of $5,000 to $10,000 apiece are for agencies that provide teletherapy, residential care and other supports to people diagnosed with autism and other disorders.
FISA also approved $25,000 to help victims of domestic violence who may have been quarantined with abusive partners during the pandemic.
The Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh will receive $20,000 for outreach and communications for victims of intimate partner violence, and Helping All Victims in Need will receive $5,000 for safe housing and support for victims of domestic violence in Armstrong County.
About half of the recent funding round aims to address systemic racism and was allocated to three nonprofits that focus on programs for Black women and girls.
Those grants include $52,500 to Gwen’s Girls to support professional development workshops for professionals who serve Black girls and for a campaign called See the Best in Me that allows Black girls to address issues such as leadership and inclusiveness.
Other grants that address racism are $45,000 to New Voices for Reproductive Justice, a nonprofit that advocates for Black women and girls, the LGBTQ community and other people of color, and $25,000 to the Black Women’s Policy Agenda, an initiative that is creating a policy to advance equity for Black women and girls in the Pittsburgh region.
Other grants approved in the fourth quarter include $30,000 to Autism Connection for advocacy efforts and for training of police and others to work with people on the autism spectrum; $30,000 to Sisters Place, a Clairton agency that helps homeless parents and children; and $5,000 to the Pittsburgh Foundation’s COVID19 Emergency Action Fund.