The Heinz Endowments

A 10-year, $600 million plan to revitalize Downtown Pittsburgh is coming—and will transform public spaces and bring more housing thanks to funding from the state, city, sports teams, companies and foundations, including the Endowments.    Get the details from 90.5 WESA: https://lnkd.in/eEYtQmqn Art renderings courtesy Commonwealth Media Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership; Pittsburgh Cultural Trust; Allegheny Conference on Community Development

On Nov. 1 & 2, Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh will offer free eye exams, eyeglasses, hearing aids & dental services for adults & children ages 2 & older at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Doors open at 6 a.m. “Everybody comes together for one purpose: to help our neighbors & take care of our community.” Learn more from NEXTpittsburgh's Joyce Gannon:

Kudos to The Advanced Leadership Institute’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) 2025 cohort. The 31 individuals represent the largest cohort to date. The ELP is designed to address the unique challenges Black professionals face in the workplace. Learn more about the program & the leaders in the New Pittsburgh Courier: Danai Battle; Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank; The Pittsburgh Foundation

For nearly a decade, Tammy Murphy has been on the front lines of the fight to protect families from adverse environmental & health effects of fossil fuel extraction. From leading demonstrations in the state capitol building with parents whose kids were facing health issues related to fracking to her advocacy work with Make The Road Pennsylvania & Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania, she is a hopeful voice for communities & families. Listen to her conversation with host/Endowments President Chris DeCardy on the new episode of the "We Can Be" podcast. Download/listen/share on all major podcast platforms. Women for a Healthy Environment; Breathe Project; Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP); The Climate Reality Project; ReImagine Appalachia; Center for Coalfield Justice

Today, Oct. 29, is the last day to request a mail-in ballot. With the election only a week away, many experts suggest that if you have not already placed your ballot in the mail it may be better to drop it off. Here are the 10 drop-off locations in Allegheny County, courtesy of Talia Kirkland, MS: https://lnkd.in/e-aG4Kcq #vote

A new first of its kind report by RAND dives into the critical role nonprofits play for the 150K service members exiting the military & entering the civilian workforce each year. Often filling the gaps for services that government programs do not cover, the nonprofits are key in helping veterans find post-military jobs that match their significant skill sets. Read the report – including recommendations for consistent metrics to measure program effectiveness, new funding streams & potential federal/nonprofit partnerships: https://lnkd.in/ehmuk2NF Institute for Veterans and Military Families - IVMF; Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness ; Carrie Farmer; VetJobs; Hire Heroes USA; Hiring Our Heroes; Call of Duty Endowment; Dan Goldenberg

One thousand people packed into the David L. Lawrence Convention Center this week for the 4th annual Eradicate Hate Global Summit, which organizers call the most comprehensive anti-hate conference in the world. Top researchers, global leaders, law enforcement officials, mental health professionals, lawyers & those impacted by hate crimes gathered to discuss the most pressing issues in their fields & figure out how to increase collaboration across career lines. The Endowments is honored to be among the event's funders. Read more about this year's summit:

Acclaimed artist & co-founder of multidisciplinary art collective Rainbow Serpent, Marques Redd is helping create the future of art by reviving ancient – & often erased – traditions. By uplifting Black LGBTQ creativity & culture through exploration of emerging technologies, innovative healing protocols, African cosmologies & multimedia art, he is sparking important dialogue & reconsideration of the Western artistic canon. To launch into Marques’ beautiful, fascinating & moving vision of the world, listen/download/share this episode of “We Can Be,” hosted by Endowments President Chris DeCardy.

Artist Sean Beauford is using an Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh grant to embark on a new project: a feature documentary, "Home of Tomorrow," which will examine the history between Mansfield, Ohio, & Pittsburgh, tracing the rise and fall of industry & its effect on the two cities’ Black communities. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dBQGubtK Photo source: Emmai Alaquiva The Pittsburgh Foundation

Great news for southwestern Pennsylvania – hundreds of clean energy jobs are coming! Mainspring Energy will build a new plant near the airport, thanks to a U.S. Department of Energy $87 million grant. The manufacturing facility will make flexible fuel power generators and create 600 jobs. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eksvAZz6 Photo credit: Mainspring Energy