Bradford is a town of doers whose abilities and ambitions deserve opportunity and support. Halloran Philanthropies works with local leaders and institutions to provide the key components of a flourishing entrepreneurial ecosystem. A proven, multi-pronged approach has boosted economies across the U.S. by putting in place what is needed for entrepreneurs to put their ideas to work locally. A successful ecosystem must combine entrepreneurship education, community engagement, investment opportunity, local institutional support and access to broader networks.

We sponsor Watson Institute (an incubator for social entrepreneurs) in a partnership with the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford to run an Entrepreneurial Basecamp for students interested in learning how to start their own businesses and organizations. Following the first successful Basecamps during the fall 2021 and 2022 semesters, Watson and Pitt are launching a year-round program. Participating students will step off campus to learn from local leaders, entrepreneurs and established businesses in the credit-bearing fellowship program.

Halloran Philanthropies partnered with the Bradford Area Alliance and Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP) to launch the Bright Bradford Fund (BBF), committing $1,000,000 to invest in businesses being founded in the Bradford region. BFTP's track record of helping launch successful companies across Pennsylvania offers access to a large network of resources. A portion of the Bright Bradford Fund's capital ($200,000) is allocated for investment in non-tech-related businesses.

Halloran Philanthropies has provided a grant to equip the Makerspace and Fluid Dynamics Lab of the newly constructed George B. Duke Engineering and Information Technologies Building at Pitt-Bradford. These state-of-the-art facilities will play a crucial role in the education of next-generation engineers. Enabling prototyping and application of cutting-edge technologies, the facilities teach students how to put ideas into practice.

Halloran Philanthropies and American Refining Group funded the founding of the HRH Energy Institute in 2008. The institute supports the regional energy industry while stimulating thinking about renewable energy. Recent achievements include the acquisition of funding for a rooftop solar installation at the Duke Engineering Building and interactive equipment demonstrating the system's solar-powered operations.

Halloran Philanthropies supports the Bradford Area Alliance's formation of an incubator/accelerator in downtown Bradford, a space for education, resources and community-building among Bradford's entrepreneurs.