History of the Jefferson Regional Foundation

A timeline of Foundation milestones over our first 10 years

JRF was founded in March 2013 as part of the affiliation agreement for Jefferson Hospital to become part of the Allegheny Health Network. Since then, we have awarded over $28 million in grants to 160+ community organizations.

Date	Milestone
2013	Highmark and AHN affiliation agreement for Jefferson Regional Medical Center results in the Foundation’s transition to grantmaking
2014	First grant awarded
2015	First Community Convening – 240 participants from 130 organizations
2016	CCAC South Food Pantry opens with Foundation support Community Snapshot Data Profiles released Created Jefferson Community Directory Launch of the Jefferson Community Collaborative
2018	Around the Table South: 1,026 residents gather for community conversations
2019	The Foundation surpasses $10 million in grants awarded Around the Table South Report published, $28,500 in grants awarded Jefferson Counts: 2020 Census initiative awards $66,200 in mini-grants
2020	$500,000 Jefferson COVID-19 Emergency Fund launched Foundation issues public statement: Racism is a Public Health Issue Foundation-supported ADA renovations completed at Carnegie Library of Homestead
2021	$700,000 Jefferson Covid Impact Fund awarded Asthma clinics open in Clairton, South Allegheny, and Propel Homestead Schools with Foundation support Census & Vaccine Data Brief published Jefferson Community Collaborative website launched
2022	Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank opens Duquesne warehouse expansion with Foundation support Jefferson Votes: Non-partisan voting initiative engages 47 organizations, awards $13,000 in mini-grants Open House for new Whitehall Towers offices Founding CEO Mary Phan-Gruber Retires Updated digital Jefferson Community Directory launched
August 2022	The Jefferson Regional Foundation announced the appointment of Dr. Trisha Gadson’s as its new Chief Executive Officer
December 2022	The Foundation surpasses $20 million in grants awarded for community impact
March 2023	Community Voice Fund: $350,000 awarded to 15 grantees to elevate resident voices
June 2023	With Foundation support, the Western PA Diaper Bank distributes 90,000 diapers to 450 families at McKeesport event
June 2023	Our Changing Communities: Interactive data story maps and community snapshots released
September 2023	The Foundation supports United Way’s Welcome Back Summer 2023 summer youth programming for 800+ children in the JRF footprint
December 2023	The Foundation launches new strategic and communications planning efforts.
March 2024	Legislative Breakfast: An initiative where nonprofit partners and local legislators connected, exchanged insights, and explored collaborative solutions.
July 2024	The Foundation launches the Strategic Plan (2024-2028)
October 2024	“Creating Jobs Description” Training: A training session offered to nonprofit partners to learn and create job descriptions.
Decemeber 2024	The Foundation surpasses $27 million in grants awarded for community impact
March 2025	The Jefferson Regional Foundation Board approves first-time grants totaling $336,000 to nonprofit organizations through the Mon Valley Clean Air Fund