Two Southwestern Pa. Foundations to Unite

The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County and the Pittsburgh Foundation want to merge to consolidate costs and increase the community engagement of both groups.

Community Foundation President Kirk Utzinger says his institution will retain its staff and board of directors if the merger is approved by the state Attorney General’s office.

Utzinger says its important to note that this is not a takeover: his foundation approached the larger Pittsburgh grantmaker about a year ago in an effort to save money.

Both Utzinger and Pittsburgh Foundation President Grant Oliphant say the more advanced financial services and back offices of the Pittsburgh Foundation will allow its smaller partner more resources for grant recipients.

Oliphant says while that will be an “automatic cost-saving,” income will decrease over the first year, because fees will be lowered for Community Foundation donors.

Oliphant says people in the Southwestern Pennsylvania community move across county lines all the time.

“When it comes to the needs and challenges this region faces, the line between Westmoreland and Allegheny is a false one.”