Three new Pitt philanthropic funds aimed at COVID-19 crisis

The Division of Philanthropic & Alumni Engagement is collecting money for three funds in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

So far, 203 donors have contributed to these newly established funds:

Student Emergency Assistance Fund: An effort led by the Office of the Provost, Division of Philanthropic & Alumni Engagement, Student Government Board, the Graduate & Professional Student Government and the Division of Student Affairs, this fund will provide financial support to Pitt undergraduate, graduate and professional students who have unanticipated and insurmountable expenses related to emergency situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Expenses covered by the fund include, but are not limited to: Medical necessities, food insecurity, homelessness, overdue utility bills reaching a turn-off notice and loss of child car. Students in need of emergency financial assistance are encouraged to submit an application. Questions may be directed to emergencyfund@pitt.edu.

Health Sciences COVID-19 Response Fund: This fund supports research in the areas of vaccines, epidemiology, treatment, prevention, education and public health. Funds will help Pitt's researchers, educators and public health leaders continue collaborating on projects including but not limited to: Virus tracking, effectiveness of social distancing measures, longevity of virus on surfaces and new projects as needs arise.

COVID-19 Vaccine Research: The federal government chose Pitt’s Center for Vaccine Research as one of a handful of institutions nationwide to receive the virus for study. Pitt has already made progress in collaboration with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations to take a potential vaccine through Phase I clinical trials in humans. COVID-19 Vaccine Research Fund will support continued development of a vaccine. 

Find a link to donate to any of the three funds on the Philanthropic and Alumni Engagement website.

— Susan Jones