Richard King Mellon Foundation Awards Transformative Grant to Catholic Charities
Contact:
Marion Ahlers
Chief Reputation Officer
412-456-6693
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Richard King Mellon Foundation Awards Transformative Grant to Catholic Charities,
Bolstering Crisis Care, Free Health Services, and Mental Wellness Support for Homeless
Pittsburgh, PA – July 19, 2025 — Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh is proud to announce a transformative $350,000 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, marking a significant milestone in the agency’s capacity to meet urgent and long-term needs across Southwestern Pennsylvania.
This gift will support Catholic Charities’ Crisis Case Management services, Free Health Care Center, and Mental Wellness program—each addressing critical and growing gaps in care for individuals and families facing housing instability. This grant follows a previous $315,000 investment by the Foundation to launch and expand the Gismondi Job Training Program, which prepares adults for growth careers with livable wages in broadband infrastructure.
“The Foundation’s investment in our programs and services is a testament to what can happen when philanthropy meets mission,” said Susan Rauscher, CEO of Catholic Charities. “This latest gift will allow us to expand our supportive services for those who are homeless or at immediate risk of homelessness and walk alongside them as they navigate housing needs, restore access to essential health and dental care, and expand mental wellness services that offer healing and affirm dignity.”
The grant arrives at a critical moment, as Catholic Charities continues to expand services in response to rising needs:
Crisis Case Management offers hands-on support to individuals and families facing homelessness or immediate risk of homelessness. This program was already at capacity when launched less than 18 months ago. The Foundation’s support will help grow capacity, serve new clients, and guide people to long-term stability.
Catholic Charities’ Free Health Care Center provides high-quality medical and dental care to uninsured and underinsured patients. These new funds will help provide monthly health services to targeted populations who often lack basic access to care.
Catholic Charities’ Mental Wellness Program includes early-involvement opportunities such as: support groups, arts therapy, counseling, and education for those who need help but aren’t ready to engage in traditional therapy. The Foundation’s support will help focus on the needs of the unsheltered living in Downtown Pittsburgh with the intent of improving the emotional health of 90 percent of those who work with the agency.
With a combined investment of $665,000, the Foundation is now the largest foundation contributor in Catholic Charities’ capital Campaign for Compassion Corner, which recently surpassed its $14 million goal. Compassion Corner is Catholic Charities’ new headquarters location in Downtown Pittsburgh, providing healing and hope for those impoverished in mind, body and spirit.
To learn more about the programs supported by this grant or our capital campaign, visit www.ccpgh.org.
About Catholic Charities: Catholic Charities welcomes any person in distress and guides people to long-term solution. With offices in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence and Washington counties, Catholic Charities has been providing programs and services since 1910. Catholic Charities offers counseling, free health care, job training, homeless assistance, pregnancy and parenting support, and more.