Grant Oliphant, President and CEO, The Pittsburgh Foundation

Grant Oliphant, President and CEO, The Pittsburgh Foundation

FINALIST / NONPROFIT
When Grant Oliphant joined The Pittsburgh Foundation in March 2008, he was quick to point out that the organization urgently needed to redefine its role in the Pittsburgh community. But few knew the pace and extent of the changes that he had planned as president and CEO of one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the U.S.
In just four years, Oliphant has led the organization through a major transformation, positioning the foundation as a model for innovative developments and strategies in philanthropy. At a time when many other community foundations were at a crossroads during the economic downturn, Oliphant recognized that it was critical that the foundation find new ways to serve the regional community and enhance services for donors.
Under Oliphant’s leadership, The Pittsburgh Foundation has renewed its focus on engaging its key constituents through new community programs and initiatives. This includes launching a $250 million Pittsburgh Promise scholarship program for students of Pittsburgh Public Schools as well as PittsburghGives, an online fundraising and research portal to raise money for local nonprofits. Both programs have become national models for other community foundations and fundraising organizations.
Oliphant’s commitment to continuous improvement has driven The Pittsburgh Foundation to increase its total funds as well as its philanthropic reach.
During his tenure, the organization has achieved many significant milestones. Among these are developing a social media strategy, upgrading its website, realigning its grant-making strategy and creating the Legacy Fund, a vehicle by which it can now invest its own assets to support regional and national nonprofit organizations.
As a result, it has not only managed to grow through economic downturn but has accomplished successive record fundraising years in 2010 and 2011.
HOW TO REACH: The Pittsburgh Foundation, www.pittsburghfoundation.org