Alcoa Foundation Begins Five Year Partnership with Gilda's Club Western Pennsylvania

Alcoa Foundation today announced that it has begun a five-year partnership with Gilda’s Club Western Pennsylvania as lead sponsor of "Conversation with Paul O’Neill Evenings,” the organization’s signature event. Alcoa Foundation awarded a total of $125,000 over five years to the local chapter of Gilda’s Club created in honor of Comedian Gilda Radner who died of ovarian cancer at the age of 43. Gilda’s Club offers social and emotional support, and lectures and workshops to anyone touched by cancer. The "Conversation with Paul O’Neill” program started in 2004 and focuses on issues of current interest that impact the Pittsburgh region and the nation in a conversation led by Paul O’Neill, former secretary of the U.S. Treasury and former Chairman of Alcoa (NYSE:AA). More than 900 guests attended the most recent conversation held at Heinz Hall last month in Pittsburgh between Mr. O’Neill and Cokie Roberts, political correspondent and NPR news analyst. "We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Gilda’s Club Western Pennsylvania to keep this series of ‘O’Neill Discussion Evenings’ an integral part of the community calendar for the Pittsburgh region,” said Meg McDonald, President Alcoa Foundation. "It is a fitting tribute and wonderful way of expressing our thanks for the dedication and generosity of Nancy and Paul O’Neill in establishing this event and giving so much of themselves to ensure the successful growth of this amazing organization.” "The Alcoa Foundation has given a tremendous gift to our community, to Gilda’s Club and to Nancy and Paul O’Neill,” said Betsy Marcu, Chairman Emeritus Gilda’s Club Western Pennsylvania. "Nancy and Paul have been wonderful benefactors of Gilda’s Club Western Pennsylvania since its early stages of development. It is great to be able to honor them in this way through the generosity of the Alcoa Foundation, which has been such an important aspect of their lives.” About Alcoa Foundation in Pittsburgh Alcoa Foundation’s mission is to actively invest in the quality of life in Alcoa communities worldwide. Over the last five years, Alcoa Foundation has invested approximately $11 million in Pittsburgh/Allegheny County, bringing its total investment in Pennsylvania to more than $15 million in grants to not-for-profit organizations. Recently Alcoa Foundation announced a $1.2 million strategic investment in three local cultural and health organizations to continue to build positive community resources in the Pittsburgh region. Throughout its history, the Foundation has been a source of positive community change and enhancement, with over $465 million invested since 1952. To learn more about Alcoa Foundation, visit www.alcoa.com under Community.