Philanthropists

Andrew Carnegie

Son of a weaver, came to the U.S. in 1848 and settled in Allegheny, PA. At thirteen, went to work as a bobbin boy in a cotton mill. Moved rapidly through a succession of jobs with Western Union and the Pennsylvania Railroad. In 1865, resigned to establish his own business enterprises and organized the Carnegie Steel Company, which launched the steel industry in Pittsburgh. At age sixty-five, sold the company to J. P. Morgan for $480 million and devoted the rest of his life to his philanthropic activities and writing. Was perhaps the first person of wealth to state publicly that the rich have a moral obligation to give away their fortunes.

In 1889 wrote The Gospel of Wealth, asserting that all personal wealth beyond that required to supply the needs of one's family should be regarded as a trust fund to be administered for the benefit of the community. Set about disposing of his fortune through innumerable personal gifts and through the establishment of various trusts. In his thirties, gave his first large gifts to his native town. Later created seven philanthropic and educational organizations in the United States, including Carnegie Corporation of New York. Established network of free public libraries to make available to everyone a means of self-education.

Spent over $56 million to build 2,509 libraries throughout the English-speaking world. Other major programs included adult education and education in the fine arts. Established the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and founded the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchesta in 1895. During his lifetime, Carnegie gave away over $350 million.

The Mellon Family

Andrew W. Mellon expertly invested money into multiple industrial and financial ventures including steel, aluminum, coal, utilities, railroads, banks, and more. Developed his father’s bank into Mellon National Bank which aided in the transformation of Pittsburgh into an industrial giant. Mellon Institute for Industrial Research was created by A.W. and brother Richard in 1909 in an effort to fund research in promotion of better business and scientific practices. A private man who kept his early philanthropy quiet, like canceling small debts for Christmas and purchasing food and clothing for people in Pittsburgh.

Named Secretary of the Treasury in 1921 and served as Secretary for Presidents Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover, cutting the national debt with what was known as the "Mellon Plan" and authored the book Taxation: The People’s Business. Resigned in 1932 and accepted the position of U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain for one year.

After retirement, began his largest philanthropic quest, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. Collected works while Secretary but solidified his plans with the A.W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust in 1930. Following the announcement of the Gallery, personal collection neared 350 pieces from which 121 paintings and twenty-one sculptures were added to the Gallery collection. Also established a trust to fund the Gallery, donating $10 million, as well as giving an estimated $21 million in art and $15 million for the construction of the Gallery building.The grand opening occurred in 1941 after his death.

The legacy of A.W. Mellon remains with the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation philanthropic trust formed in 1969 through the merger of the Avalon Foundation (est. 1940 by Ailsa Mellon Bruce) and the Old Dominion Foundation (est. 1941 by Paul Mellon). Prior to the merger, the Avalon Foundation distributed funds to hospitals and health agencies, educational institutions, and cultural programs including the Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic. The Old Dominion Fund concentrated on the humanities and liberal education. The merged foundation, with assets of $3.4 billion (1998), continues to support the areas of health, education and the humanities and has added programs in conservation, public affairs and population studies.

The Heinz Family

Howard Heinz, son of founder H.J. Heinz, bequeathed his residual estate to the Howard Heinz Endowment for philanthropic purposes. Today thanks to the largesse of both Howard and Vira Heinz Endowments, a variety of arts and culture, social service, healthcare, environmental, economic development and educational services thrive in Pittsburgh and around the world.

Henry Heinz II was an active community leader with intense interest in the arts worked toward citywide revival and the creation of a downtown Pittsburgh cultural district. In 1971, together with funding from the Heinz family, oversaw the creation of Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts, the home of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Founded the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust in 1984. Spearheaded the creation of the Heinz Gallery, located in the Carnegie Museum of Art, in 1988, and the development of the Benedum Center, a two-year restoration of Pittsburgh's historic Stanley Theater.

His son, the late Senator John Heinz, as chairman of the Heinz Charitable and Family Trust and trustee of the Howard and Vira Heinz Endowment, continued the Heinz family tradition of combining entrepreneurial skill with community activism.

Henry + Elsie Hillman

Henry is son of Pittsburgh steel mogul John Hartwell Hillman Jr., who built Pittsburgh Coke & Chemical. Joined the company after earning geology degree from Princeton, took charge in 1959. Changed focus to light industry, real estate, venture capital. Along with wife, Elsie, set a standard of civic involvement in Pittsburgh. Active in the arts, with an emphasis on the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

Supports a wide variety of local organizations with personal money and through the Hillman Foundation, the Hillman Co. and the Henry L. Hillman Foundation. The Hillman Library at the University of Pittsburgh was a result of Hillman largesse, as are the Hillman Cancer Center at Shadyside Hospital and the Hillman Pediatric Transplantation Institute at Children's Hospital. Often cited for his quotes, particularly, "A whale is harpooned only when it spouts."

Elsie Hillman is known for her political influence, helped elect John Heinz to the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, Richard Thornburgh and Tom Ridge as Pennsylvania governors and George H.W. Bush as president. She has been involved in a number of charitable and civic organizations, including WQED Pittsburgh.