Our Programs
At the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, we believe that being a good citizen is just as important as the work we do on and off the ice. Each season, the Foundation supports local charities in a number of ways. How can we assist your organization and your goals?
Hockey is for Everyone!
Hockey is for Everyone!
The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Penguins Foundation are increasingly focused on using the power of hockey to invest in the Pittsburgh community. PPS All-Stars deepens the team’s existing relationship with the city’s public schools and adds to the Penguins’ free learn to skate and diversity hockey programs at the Highmark Hunt Armory community rink in Shadyside.
MindHacks aims to utilize DBT principles to build mindful practices in middle school students through a curriculum created in partnership with UPMC Western Behavioral Health, Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU3) and the Citrone 33 Foundation. We hope to develop skills and a healthy mindset in students to enhance interpersonal relationships and connectedness, develop positive coping strategies and improve overall wellness.
To foster a love for reading and increase reading scores in our region, the Penguins Foundation in partnership with U. S. Steel developed the program Reading Champions to encourage students to be champions of reading.
Each season, the Pittsburgh Penguins players join the Penguins Foundation to be champions of our local youth through the power of hockey. Here are a few recent initiatives by the Pens that have positively impacted kids in our community.
Each NHL season, the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation hosts various gameday collections - including those listed below. Keep an eye on the @pensfoundation on social media to be a part of these popular collections!
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In October 2019, the Penguins Foundation unveiled a new Care Mobile in partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The 40-foot vehicle features a Penguins-themed distraction therapy treatment room and provides over a dozen different services and tests -- including wellness visits, immunizations, physicals, sick visits and more -- to children in underserved communities in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
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Hockey Talks is a program that was inspired by Rick Rypien, former Vancouver Canucks forward, who tragically lost his battle with mental health issues in 2011. Today, clubs across the NHL participate, sharing resources, stories and breaking the stigma that so often surrounds mental health. The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation proudly became a part of Hockey Talks through our Break the Ice initiative in 2020 with the support of Citrone 33.
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In celebration of our 10th anniversary season, the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation partnered with the Pittsburgh Penguins players to present a new initiative, known as ‘The Pens Give.’
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The Penguins organization has created a vast array of youth hockey initiatives to engage children of all ages. Programs run the gamut of providing instruction to develop basic skills, teaching safety and good nutrition, encouraging teamwork, enhancing the athletes’ knowledge of the game, and acknowledging their accomplishments.
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A new community project by the Penguins Foundation, Operation Restore will focus on the restoration and upkeep of Pittsburgh City and County green parks. Plans also include playground builds, paint revitalization, tree plantings, and more throughout the region. Further, the program is designed to engage employees of the Penguins and corporate partners, as well as the great people of the city, in volunteerism.
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Shaped like an "igloo," the COOL Zone is an early intervention behavioral health evaluation program for kids ages 3 through 12. Since 2015, the COOL Zone has provided mental health services to 650+ children across all area COOL Zone locations.
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Organizations interested in a 2024.25 Penguins Foundation Grant are invited to complete a Letter of Intent (LOI) for further discovery. Please note that LOI submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis, and all submitters will receive communication regardless of the decision. Submissions received between July 1 - September 30, 2024 are currently under review. All submissions received between October 1 - December 31, 2024 will be reviewed in early 2025.
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The 50/50 Raffle is conducted at every Pittsburgh Penguins home game with proceeds funding grants for eligible local 501(c)(3) charities who share our Foundation’s mission.
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Project Power Play takes advantage of the growing popularity of hockey in the tri-state area by affording young players access to newly constructed, outdoor, multi-use athletic facilities in partnership with Highmark.
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PensFIT presented by FedEx Ground, launched during the 2012 school year, provides free floor hockey equipment to over 650 qualifying elementary schools, both public & private, in 10 different counties.
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Heads UP Pittsburgh provides free baseline concussion testing and education to young athletes, parents and coaches. Testing for Heads UP Pittsburgh will begin on June 3, 2024 and end on July 31, 2024.
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To bring technology into the classroom in order to even the playing field for all students, no matter their economic background.
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Our annual scholarship program was created to assist Western Pennsylvania high school seniors in their pursuit of academic achievement.
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Movember is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men's health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men's suicide. Click Here to support the Pittsburgh Penguins Movember efforts.
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The Penguins Foundation proudly supports our active-duty military members and veterans and honors their service to our country through various initiatives in an effort to thank them for their sacrifices for our freedom.
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The Penguins Foundation Auction provides fans with unique Pittsburgh Penguins memorabilia only found on our auction, while generating funds for our Foundation.
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Our holiday programs help the Pittsburgh Penguins spread joy and cheer each November and December.
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Little Penguins Learn to Play shares the excitement of our sport with our youngest fans, while teaching the game of hockey, thanks to the support of Sidney Crosby.
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The wives and girlfriends of the Pittsburgh Penguins, known as the Lady Pens, support the Penguins Foundation in countless ways each season. On gamedays and within the community, you will always find these ladies lending their helping hands to the Pens Foundation and local nonprofit organizations.