Talking with donors who give often and with purpose
Southwestern Pennsylvania has a generous pool of philanthropists who support the Pittsburgh region’s nonprofits from hospitals to the arts to youth programs and more.
Among them are Alba and Thomas Tull, who started the Tull Family Foundation; Nancy and her late husband Milton Washington, who owned Allegheny Rehabilitation Housing Corp.; and Kathe and Jim Patrinos, former owners of the Primanti Bros. restaurants.
These — just a small sampling of the many supporters of nonprofits, cultural organizations and other groups in our community — agreed to offer some insights into why they give and why it is important to them.
Alba Tull
The Tull name has become well known in Pittsburgh in recent years as Mrs. Tull, who is CEO of Tull Investment Group, and her husband, former CEO of Legendary Pictures and a part-owner of the Steelers, have committed to both economic and philanthropic endeavors. Here, in her words, she shares some of their vision:
“Our family is committed to supporting efforts across the education, medical and life science research, sports and conservation service sectors. We primarily focus our giving in order to empower change and advancement with particular attention to technological advancements and
underserved communities. We look to invest in organizations that are groundbreaking and innovative and have the ability to transform the lives of the people they serve.
“The pandemic impacted our philanthropy, not just as a family foundation, but around our culture of giving through the companies we are involved with. We knew we needed to look outside our traditional focus of giving, take a break from long-term strategy and react to the incredible need around us.
“Through Thomas’ work at Legendary and the film ‘42,’ we formed a strong relationship with the Jackie Robinson Foundation. We wanted to honor Jackie and support the communities that the Jackie Robinson Foundation represents.
“OnJackie Robinson Day, April15, we worked with FIGS [a medicalsupply company that is partof Tulco Holdings] to donate $4.2million of PPE and other badly neededsupplies to hospitals aroundthe country serving predominantlyBlack neighborhoods.
“Inaddition, as we saw the longlines at local food banks, wedonated 500 dozen eggs from our farm to support vulnerable Pittsburghers.
“As we look toward 2021, we are prepared to be nimble in our support of those affected by the pandemic, and also support our nonprofit partners who are struggling to raise funds in this environment.
“It is truly an honor to be able to shine a light on the organizations who are putting in hours of work behind the scenes providing opportunities for kids in local communities and the universities providing research to advance the medical and life science communities.
“Each organization we choose is connected to our family either through our love of sports and entertainment or our passion for education. More than anything else, we are committed to giving back and are grateful for the opportunity to do so.”
Nancy Washington
Nancy and Milton Washington met in college and moved to Pittsburgh in the late 1960s. Mr. Washington, who died in 2016, owned a number of businesses, including Allegheny Rehabilitation Housing Corp., based in East Liberty. Here Mrs. Washington discusses their philosophy of giving:
“I come from a long line of preachers and teachers and my values, as well as those of my late husband, Milton, are tied to generations of connecting to the needs of my community.
“My husband and I supported primarily organizations that promoted academic and cultural growth. He and I have scholarship funds in four universities and he joined me in believing that art is a means for instilling understanding of our past and present humanity.
“We were among the founders of the August Wilson Center for African American Culture and contribute to the Cultural Trust and the Carnegie and Frick museums through financial donations and time as board members.
“Recently, I have become enthusiastic about the work being done by the Eye and Ear Foundation of UPMC to reach and provide service to underserved communities.
“I have the good luck and opportunity to, in some small way, clear a path and make it a little easier and more joyful for others.
“My two daughters have very different philanthropic goals, but both are tied to our family mission of caring for the security, health and education of those with whom we share this earth.”
Jim Patrinos
Jim Patrinos may not sell sandwiches with fries tucked inside anymore, but he still operates the Patrinos Painting and Contracting Co., plus serves as board chair at The Andy Warhol Museum, is a trustee of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and is on the boards of the Pittsburgh Glass Center and the Pittsburgh Opera. Here he talks about what drives the couple’s philanthropic choices:
“Kathe and I are private people, but I can say it always feels good to do good.
“I am a first-generation donor. My father immigrated from Greece and my mother was first generation born here. It’s funny. I think at the turn of the century we were one of the most diverse places in the country and now we are one of the least ethnically.
“I think we have an obligation to give back. Every time we give we feel good about it. It gives us great joy and pleasure to be able to do something for somebody.
“We are lucky in Pittsburgh with so many generations of givers. I think when you have someone new to the philanthropy world they usually have some kind of personal story.
“In our case, we got very involved with the museums and it goes back to our childhoods. For me, the days taking field trips to the museum were always a highlight. That once-a-year field trip to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History was the best day. Kathe was a docent at the museum for 20 years, and we just felt it was an important part of our lives and that led us to embrace the museums.
“We have been involved with the Pittsburgh Opera since 1986. Tito Capobianco [former Pittsburgh Opera director] was one of the most charismatic men you will ever know and he had a way of seducing donors. He was pretty special.
“There are different hooks that pull you in. We have always been involved with our church, of course, but I think for the organizations, so much depends on having good development people creating relationships. You want to feel like your donation is making a difference.
“Katheis involved with Cityof Asylum, the Mattress Factoryand so many great organizationsin Pittsburgh. Weare also very involved withPittsburgh Glass Center.That is probably one of the best-kept secrets in the city.That team of workers, notonly are they artists and craftsmen,they put in the hardwork and dedication for such little financial award.
“We are so blessed to have these types of organizations in Pittsburgh. Contemporary Craft, which moved from the Strip District to Lawrenceville, is another one. They offer a platform for so many local artists that the big museums really can’t.
“TheWarhol Museum also does so much for the community. Their outreach in the community is great. They have the LGBTQ prom every year for these young kids who have no safe place to go. They get 600 to 700 kids there for that event every year. So how can you not support that program?”