Heinz Endowments: STEM and Environment Grants
What This Grant Funds
The Heinz Endowments, based in Pittsburgh, is one of Pennsylvania's most significant private funders of education and environment programs. The Education program funds K-12 STEM initiatives, coding education, and projects that connect science learning to environmental challenges. The Environment program funds climate education and sustainability projects that engage students and communities in understanding and responding to environmental issues. Both programs can fund curriculum, professional development, equipment, and program operations.
Who Is Eligible in Pennsylvania
The Heinz Endowments primarily fund organizations and schools in the Pittsburgh region and southwestern Pennsylvania, though some programs have broader statewide reach. K-12 schools, nonprofits serving youth, universities, and community organizations are eligible. The Foundation favors applicants with strong community ties, clear outcomes, and programs that serve students from underserved backgrounds.
Funding Amounts
Grant awards range from $50,000 to $1,000,000. Multi-year grants are common for established organizations with strong track records. Smaller planning or pilot grants are also available for new programs seeking to build evidence before applying for larger support.
How Forward Education Products Qualify
Forward Education's climate education curriculum and physical computing kits connect directly to Heinz Endowments priorities around environmental literacy. Our micro:bit-based environmental monitoring projects give students hands-on tools to collect real data about air quality, temperature, and other climate indicators. MicroChat's AI literacy curriculum can be connected to environmental data analysis, giving students a direct link between technology skills and real-world sustainability challenges. We provide alignment documentation to help applicants show how our products advance both STEM and environmental education outcomes.
How to Apply and Timeline
The Heinz Endowments uses a letter of inquiry process for first-time applicants. Submit a brief letter of inquiry through the Foundation's online grants portal before preparing a full proposal. Foundation staff review letters of inquiry on a rolling basis and invite select organizations to submit full proposals. Build in time for this two-step process when planning your application timeline.
Visit the Heinz Endowments Education program page to review current priorities and submit a letter of inquiry.
