Igniting Innovation in Glass Art
Pittsburgh Glass Center’s continued success relies on teamwork. Like glass, our work is shaped by many hands—donors, artists, students, patrons, and neighbors—who come together to keep the fire burning.
Your investment fuels a vibrant, inclusive glass art community that inspires, educates, and connects. Whether you’re making a donation, becoming a member, or sponsoring an event, you’re helping us build something extraordinary together.
Your gift directly sustains:
- Free admission seven days a week so everyone can experience contemporary glass art without barriers.
- One-of-a-kind experiences for visitors of all ages and abilities through hands-on classes, events, and tours.
- A world-class glass art facility that nurtures both emerging and established artists.
- Community programming including artist talks, demonstrations, scholarships, and residencies.
While we’ve expanded our facilities and exceeded revenue goals, rising costs mean we need your support more than ever to keep access equitable and our programs thriving.
Make a Donation
Your contribution supports our operating fund—the heart of everything we do.
- Make your gift online
- Mail a check made payable to Pittsburgh Glass Center:
Pittsburgh Glass Center
ATTN: Development
5472 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Tribute or Memorial Gifts
Celebrate a loved one with a gift in their name and we will send them a personalized commemorative letter of your kind gesture. Contact Olivia Narciso, Donor Relations Manager, at 412-365-2145 x213 or onarciso@
Matching Gifts—Double your gift’s impact!
Your company may have a matching gift program that can double your level of support. Each company’s guidelines for participation are different, so please contact your Human Resources Department for more information.
Smart Giving Tools
We encourage you to consult with your attorney or financial advisor to determine which giving strategy best fits your situation. Olivia Narciso, Donor Relations Manager, is available to work with you or your professional advisor to explore smart ways of giving. Contact her at 412-365-2145 x213 or onarciso@
A donor-advised fund offers a flexible way to manage your philanthropy. Whether through The Pittsburgh Foundation or providers like Vanguard, Schwab, or Fidelity, you can recommend grants to PGC over time while receiving an immediate tax deduction.
If you’re age 70 ½ or older, you can make a tax-free distribution from your IRA directly to PGC. This Qualified Charitable Distribution not only supports our mission but also helps you meet your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) without increasing your taxable income.
If you’ve held highly appreciated securities for more than a year, consider donating them instead of cash. You’ll receive a charitable tax deduction for the full market value, avoid capital gains tax, and amplify your giving.
Including a gift to Pittsburgh Glass Center in your will is a meaningful way to sustain your mission beyond your lifetime—without affecting your current financial situation. You can simply instruct your attorney to prepare a codicil or amendment to your will, ensuring that future generations can discover the wonder of glass art.
Selecting PGC as a beneficiary of your IRA, life insurance policy, or donor-advised fund, avoids taxes and directs the full value of your gift to a cause you care about: transforming lives through the power of art.
This information is not intended as legal or tax advice. PGC strongly advises that you consult your professional advisor(s).
Become a Member
PGC members are the foundation of our mission. From our new and recurring members, PGC can continue to offer classes to people of all ages, open innovative exhibitions that celebrate artists from all over the world, and remain a space for anyone to explore their creative potential.
All members receive:
- 10% off most classes, workshops, and retail items in The Shop
- Invitations to members-only events
- Exclusive updates and behind-the-scenes access
Join or renew membership online today. Or, mail a check made payable to Pittsburgh Glass Center addressed to:
Pittsburgh Glass Center
ATTN: Membership
5472 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
To give the gift of membership please contact Olivia Narciso, Donor Relations Manager, at 412-365-2145 x213 or onarciso@
Institutional Support
From major corporations to local foundations, our institutional partners drive regional innovation and arts access. Your support helps PGC:
- Connect Pittsburgh’s industrial glass legacy to its creative future
- Promote economic development in the East End
- Provide exceptional educational and artist development opportunities
Interested in becoming an institutional partner? Please contact Rachel Niederberger, Development Director, at 412-365-2145 x212 or rachel@pittsburghglasscenter.
Year-round opportunities for partnerships are available to accomplish your business’s philanthropic and marketing goals while supporting PGC’s innovative programming. Each benefits package is customized based on your company’s specific needs.
If you are a Pennsylvania business, the EITC program could lower your state tax liability. Pittsburgh Glass Center has been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to offer Educational Improvement Tax Credits to companies who make a donation in support of PGC’s qualifying education programs.
PGC is pleased to recognize the following businesses that made EITC contributions in 2024:
People love hosting events at Pittsburgh Glass Center because you and your guests can:
- Feel the heat as artists create amazing works of art with hot glass
- Explore contemporary glass art exhibitions in PGC’s Hodge Gallery
- Make your own one-of-a-kind piece of glass art, or receive a custom glass gift made by PGC artists (must be ordered in advance)
Get outside of the office and build camaraderie among your colleagues and team members with a change of scenery and a taste of glassmaking at PGC. Exercise the right side of your brain with an exciting hot glass demonstration and hands-on glass activity, and then round out your retreat with the option to book a private conference room for lunch and a meeting.
For more information, please email scheduling@pittsburghglasscenter.org
Annual Fundraiser
Art on Fire Celebration & Auction
Pittsburgh Glass Center annually hosts the hottest event of the year called Art on Fire, a fun celebration and Pittsburgh’s only glass art auction. Your attendance and support of this fundraiser collectively raises approximately 10% of our overall programming and operational needs. Plus, you’ll leave the event with a unique, hand-made piece of glass art by an emerging or world-renowned artist.
Shattering Expectations
Pittsburgh Glass Center is glowing up and shattering expectations with a $15 million expansion. This is a transformational capital campaign that seeks your support to realize Pittsburgh Glass Center’s full potential as a hub for artistic excellence and a driver of economic opportunity through a major expansion of our facilities.
