About THF

The Hear Foundation (THF) is a Pittsburgh-rooted public safety innovation organization that reduces violence, strengthens community trust, and expands pathways to meaningful opportunity. THF brings residents, grassroots leaders, and public safety partners together to build the relational and institutional conditions required for community-centered safety.

Our Mission
THF strengthens public safety by reducing violence, supporting healing, and expanding pathways to meaningful opportunity. Through programs, grantmaking, and collaborative training, we build trust, dignity, and shared responsibility across Pittsburgh and beyond.

Our Vision
A Pittsburgh where healing, trust, and opportunity shape public safety — and where communities and public safety partners work together with dignity and purpose to create safe, thriving neighborhoods.

Guiding Beliefs:

THF’s work is grounded in evidence, lived experience, and practice-based learning:

Trust and legitimacy are measurable drivers of safety.
Economic mobility and purpose reduce violence and instability.
Grassroots leaders are essential safety actors.
Trauma-responsive, relationship-based approaches build legitimacy.
Change must happen across individual, family, community, and system levels.
Data and learning must guide investment and strategy.

Values: Dignity, Purpose, Shared Responsibility, Healing, Collaboration.

Impact Areas:

THF focuses on two interconnected, trauma-informed impact areas:

Violence Reduction
Workforce Development & Purpose Pathways

Our Core Functions

THF advances community-centered public safety through

Direct Programs – youth readiness, leadership development, and trust-building between community and public safety partners.
Strategic Grantmaking – investing in grassroots leaders and place-based organizations across Pittsburgh’s six zones.
Technical Assistance (TA) – supporting institutions through trauma-informed training, trust-building frameworks, and cross-sector convenings.

Light the Candle: Leon’s Birthday Wish for Change