Foundation gives Pittsburgh Promise $2.5M

PITTSBURGH—The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation is giving $2.5 million to the Pittsburgh Promise, a $250 million college scholarship fund meant to improve the city's schools and stem student exodus.

The foundation will give the money in $500,000 installments over five years.

Saleem Ghubril, Promise's executive director, says fundraising so far has been a huge achievement given the nation's economic problems.

The Promise has raised about $8.5 million this school year and must raise $15 million by June 30 to begin leveraging part of a $90 million, multiyear challenge match from University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

02/09/2009. Original article can be found here.