A record $220,600 in funding was awarded to teachers, students and schools by the North Allegheny Foundation in 2024 to 2025, more than doubling its efforts from the previous year, according to the nonprofit’s annual report to the school board in December.
The North Allegheny Foundation is a fundraiser and benefactor arm of the North Allegheny School District that awards scholarships to seniors and grants to teachers and schools. A majority of its financial support is obtained through various events throughout the year.
“Our impact was quite significant this year,” said Joe Beierle, chair of the North Allegheny Foundation.
The foundation’s fiscal year is July 1 to June 30.
“Comparing to the year before, it’s substantial. We gave out $120,000 more, roughly. It was a real effort. We want to do even more(in 2026),” he said.
Last school year, the foundation provided more than $175,000 in grants to schools and teachers, more than $41,000 in scholarships to seniors, and more than $5,700 in angel funds for students in need.
This more than doubled the $102,811 total that was raised in 2023-24.
The tax-exempt organization, created in 1989, focuses on building relationships with community members, parents, alumni and businesses to help achieve its goals to support the district, according to the presentation by Beierle.
Teachers and other staff can apply for grants that are reviewed by the foundation and awarded in the fall or the spring.
Some of the grants from this most recent school year included: $22,390 for Instructional Technology Integrators for Innovating with STEAM: Spheros Crayons on the Go and $15,400 to the high school’s “Knowledge Matters: Bringing Simulated Business Experiences to Business” classes.
The foundation also awarded $7,000 to Marshall Middle School for sensory materials for the autistic support and life skills support program, $2,000 to Ingomar Elementary School for “Showcase and Sustain: Building and Program Improvement for Art Excellence” and $36,765 to the intermediate high school’s OMAX ProtoMAX Waterjet machining center.
The NASH TigerDen received $8,995, and Franklin Elementary School received $8,407 for adapted bikes.
A newly formed fund, North Allegheny Foundation Facilities for the Future Grant, supports the district’s goals of investing in the maintenance and development of facilities and grounds that create future-ready learning spaces, according to the presentation.
Under this new grant, $100,000 was awarded for the installation of sand volleyball courts at the senior high school in 2024 to 2025, with the funds to be allocated this school year.
The sand volleyball courts will benefit physical education classes, clubs, community organizations and the school’s athletic department, Beierle said.
Additionally, the foundation awards five scholarships to seniors in the following categories: Extra Effort, Excellence in Service, Excellence in Leadership, Excellence in Arts and Excellence in Academics.
The foundation also handles 13 other scholarships for outside individuals and alumni, but Beierle said they are reviewing the process on these. This includes handling the scholarships fully or helping to select recipients.
However, Beierle said it has been a challenge to get students to apply for these scholarships.
Four major annual events help fund the efforts of the foundation, beginning with the NA Foundation Golf Classic held in September. The 2025 golf classic held at Sewickley Heights Country Club raised more than $100,000.
The 2026 golf classic will take place Sept. 21.
Trick-or-Trot, held every year in October, raised nearly $40,000. From this amount, a combined $2,000 in grants will support programs in the health and physical education departments across the district, according to a summary at northallegheny.org/nafoundation.
The 2026 Trick-or-Trot is scheduled for Oct. 24.
The Distinguished Alumni Gala, to be held on Jan. 22 at the Holy Trinity Center in McCandless, recognizes alumni in nine categories who have made significant contributions to society or professional accomplishments.
The Taste of NA, held every spring, was at Soergel Orchards in Franklin Park in May. Details on this year’s event will be announced soon.
The North Allegheny Foundation also can be supported through the PA Educational Improvement Tax Credit program, allowing donors to receive a tax credit up to 90% of its contribution, or through an employer-matching program.
Gifts can be named in honor of a North Allegheny teacher, administrator, employee or school board member. Each $50 donation provides a lasting record of gifts on the NAF Honor Someone Special Wall at the central administrative office building on Hillvue Lane.
Or supporters can provide a one-time or monthly donation. More information is available at northallegheny.org/nafoundation.
School board director Libby Blackburn suggested the foundation should include a slide in its 2026 annual review noting the net profits over the past 10 years, which also have grown.
“It’s an amazing job that everybody has done. It is truly a great, great thing for our district. The net profits have gone up tremendously in past couple of years,” she said.
