Richard King Mellon Foundation contributing $15M in coronavirus-related grants

The Richard King Mellon Foundation has approved distributing $15 million in grants to combat the covid-19 pandemic.

The foundation said it is taking a three-pronged approach, with money going toward health care innovation and technology initiatives; emergency operations grants to support struggling nonprofits; and economic development grants to support recovery efforts and prevent further job losses.

Grants include $196,000 to the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Vaccine Research and $160,000 to support Global Links, which will partner with Day Owl and Highmark/Allegheny Health Network to produce 50,000 plastic face shields.

Grants and investments to researchers, entrepreneurs, hospital systems and manufacturers also are in the works.

“Our medical research grants will support essential health innovations, including the intensive efforts of Pittsburgh’s renowned researchers to once again find the world a cure, as they have so notably done before,” foundation trustee Chairman Richard A. Mellon said, alluding to the successful polio vaccine that was developed in Pittsburgh by Dr. Jonas Salk and his team.

“Our emergency grants will help our local nonprofit partners to continue their essential work at this most difficult hour,” Mellon added. “And our funding of smart economic-development strategies will bring immediate relief to the people of Southwestern Pennsylvania and position us to be poised to surge again, when the economy starts anew.”

Officials said details of some of the other projects in the package will be announced as partner agreements are executed.

Foundation Director Sam Reiman announced the three-pronged effort March 27, soliciting proposals for immediate consideration.

“We cannot allow this virus to destroy what we have built together over decades, and that begins with halting the spread of this virus,” Reiman said.

All funds are expected to be distributed within six months, and more support may be granted based on health and economic data.

The foundation was created in 1947 by Richard King Mellon, who was president and chairman of Mellon Bank. R.K. Mellon died in June 1970. More information about the foundation is available at rkmf.org.