Fountain Campaign

Without the Fountain, what's the Point?

“Imagine St. Louis without its arch, San Francisco minus the Golden Gate Bridge, or Seattle without the Space Needle. That’s how Pittsburghers might feel when the fountain at Point State Park shuts down this summer.”

-Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, May 1, 2009

We need YOUR HELP to restore one of the region’s most visible hallmarks – the fountain at Point State Park.

As part of the Pittsburgh 250 celebration last year, our community raised more than $110 million, completed a number of noteworthy initiatives and improved the perception of our spectacular region. The latter is just one of many reasons Pittsburgh was selected to host the G20 summit in September 2009. Yet as the eyes of the world turn to Pittsburgh, we still have unfinished business. After the G-20 summit the fountain has been turned off to address the need for extensive permanent renovations. The pumping systems of the fountain are antiquated and in disrepair. Without a permanent fix, the fountain will no longer be able to operate at full capacity.

We know that Pittsburghers won’t allow this to happen. With you as a Friend of the Fountain, we will raise the money to turn up the fountain - permanently. Every amount you give helps, from $5 to $5,000!

UPDATE: We are pleased to announce that with your help, we raised over $750,000 by the late-November Colcom Foundation matching grant deadline! Thanks to the support of Colcom, that amount will be matched dollar for dollar--a tremendous showing of support for the Friends of the Fountain campaign! Our fundraising continues, however. We still must raise the final $500,000 for the Fountain renovation and repair. If you haven't already, please help by donating now through the Pittsburgh Foundation website .

Or, send a check to:
Riverlife's Friends of the Fountain Fund
707 Grant Street #3500
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Thank you for supporting the future of this Pittsburgh icon!

News

New YouTube video!

December 02, 2009 – Check out our second video for the Friends of the Fountain campaign. Without the Fountain, what's the Point?
No Point State Park Fountain? Sad. Sad. Very sad.

November 12, 2009 – In our popular YouTube video, Riverlife's Stephan Bontrager visits Point State Park to see how people are reacting to the shutoff of the famous Fountain.
Pittsburgh Gives Match Day Set for October 28, 2009!  

October 28, 2009 – Support Riverlife during the Pittsburgh Foundation Match Day and your donation could be doubled.
Point Fountain Slows to Trickle

October 28, 2009 – The iconic 35-year-old fountain in Point State Park, featured in photos and city promotional posters, won't be squirting water high into the air this summer because of electrical problems and will be shut down completely next summer as it undergoes a full makeover.
Foundation Offers $1M Match to Help Renovate Point State Park Fountain 

October 15, 2009 – The fountain at Point State Park doesn't just need a face-lift — it requires a major overhaul to ensure it's around for years to come. That's the message at the center of a $1 million campaign to repair the focal point of the Pittsburgh skyline.
Point State Park Fountain to Get Temporary Fixes for Big Events

August 26, 2009 – Pittsburgh's signature Point State Park fountain hasn't spouted off for almost a year, but it will be part of efforts to make a big splash for next month's Steelers-NFL kickoff concert and the G-20 Summit.

Your donation to Riverlife via the Pittsburgh Foundation website allows us to continue our successful mission of reclaiming Pittsburgh’s riverfronts. Thank you!