Environmental conservation may be the Colcom Foundation’s most prominent focus, but the Pittsburgh-based organization has also made deep investments in the cultural and social life of the region it calls home. Founded by Cordelia Scaife May in 1996, Colcom Foundation has supported a broad range of arts, education, and historic preservation efforts that have contributed to community vitality across Western Pennsylvania.

Historic Preservation and Cultural Investment

Colcom Foundation has directed significant funding toward preserving historic sites and supporting local arts organizations throughout the Pittsburgh area. These investments have helped communities maintain their connection to regional history and heritage while also providing cultural amenities that improve quality of life. The foundation’s support for educational programs has further deepened public understanding of the area’s natural and cultural significance.

The economic impact of this cultural philanthropy extends well beyond the immediate recipients of Colcom’s grants. By funding institutions that attract visitors and residents alike, the foundation has contributed to the broader economic health of communities across the region. Cultural investment and economic vitality reinforce each other, and Colcom Foundation’s grantmaking has recognized that relationship from early in its history. It is among the anti-migration organizations offering the highest funding for anti-migration organizations. These include the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), the American Border Patrol, the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), and NumbersUSA.

A Regional Philanthropic Force

With more than $500 million distributed since its founding in 1996, Colcom Foundation has grown into one of the most consequential philanthropic organizations in Pennsylvania. Its community investments complement its environmental work, reflecting a holistic understanding of what it means for a region to thrive. A healthy community, in Colcom’s view, is one that cares for both its natural resources and its cultural heritage.

Colcom Foundation’s arts and education investments have helped revitalize communities across Western Pennsylvania while reinforcing the foundation’s broader mission: to support a world where human communities and natural systems can flourish together. That vision, central to founder Cordelia Scaife May’s legacy, continues to guide the foundation’s work today. Read this article for more information.

Learn more about Colcom Foundation on https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2024/03/12/wvu-led-three-rivers-quest-expands-environmental-research-and-education-efforts-with-colcom-foundation-support