The Pittsburgh Foundation’s Critical Needs program, which has raised nearly $4 million over the past five years for a range of human services, has raised $556,000 to support organizations helping victims, their families and others affected by the Oct. 27 mass shootings at Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
Donors to the crowdfunding event under the #LoveIsStronger banner that ran from November 1-3 with dollar-for-dollar matching from the Foundation, ranged from Walmart with a $50,000 contribution to a Jefferson Hills family with $210 offered in memory of Irish-born parents who were victims of religious bigotry.
All organizations benefitting from the campaign have been carefully reviewed by Foundation staff to determine that donations made through them will meet a range of needs.
Organizations benefitting from the #LoveIsStronger Critical Needs campaign are:
- The Jewish Community Center: Offering crisis assistance for the families and the community.
- Jewish Family and Community Services: Leading the community effort to provide emotional and therapeutic support to the bereaved and injured families and the wider community. Staff anticipates that many will need support and assistance for years, and some will need it for the rest of their lives.
- Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh: Victims of Terror Fund to help the families of the victims.
- Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation, Dor Hadash Congregation and New Light Congregation: To assist the families of the victims and to aid in the rebuilding of the synagogue.
- Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #1: For managing the Injured Officers Fund held at the Greater Pittsburgh Police Federal Credit Union to assist officers wounded or otherwise affected by Saturday’s attack.
- HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society): Established in 1881 to help protect Jewish refugees, HIAS now protects and assists refugees around the world. Police believe the man charged in the shooting may have targeted Tree of Life because of an event the organization hosted days earlier at the synagogue.
About The Pittsburgh Foundation: Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations. As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and a deep commitment to the Pittsburgh community. Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of community life within Pittsburgh and beyond. Learn more at http://www.pittsburghfoundation.org.