In early 1981 POISE Foundation began making grants to various minority and majority organizations for worthy projects, which have a direct impact on the Black community in the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Our present focus is working with organizations that strengthen Black families by promoting: positive family interactions, positive family images, and advocacy for the role that strong families play in creating strong communities.

Vision

We envision a Pittsburgh Region in which all members of the Black Community are empowered and self-sufficient.

Mission

To assist the Black community in achieving self-sustaining practices, through strategic leadership, collective giving, grantmaking and advocacy. Created in the format of a Community Foundation, POISE receives funds from a variety of donors. These funds may be unrestricted, and used to support our grantmaking strategy, or donor-directed for specific charitable purposes.