A Downtown Pittsburgh charity is donating more than $21 million to over 120 regional nonprofits spanning Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, Fayette and Westmoreland counties.
United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania will split the money across 138 programs. The announcement comes as the organization kicks off its first public giving campaign to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027.
United Way’s grants are given in four categories: meeting basic needs, moving to financial stability, building for success in school and life, and capacity building.
The organization has seen a significant increase in requests for funding from partner agencies.
“The number of funding requests to United Way grew by 30% since our last multi-year grant cycle in 2023. This is a reflection of unprecedented needs our partner agencies are seeing in the community, often from people who have never sought help before,” said Bobbi Watt Geer, president and CEO of United Way, in a news release.
As demand for assistance continues to rise, Watt Geer said increased community support is essential to meeting growing needs.
United Way is working toward raising $40 million by its 100th anniversary in 2027 to help ensure critical services remain available to those who need them most.
“This $21 million investment is vital and needed now more than ever,” Watt Geer said.
Under the multi-year grant, 34 Allegheny County programs and 20 Westmoreland County programs received funding through fiscal year 2029.
Some of the benefiting organizations include 412 Food Rescue’s Food Recovery Operations Support program, Blackburn Center’s Emergency Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence, Just Harvest Education Fund’s Building Economic Justice and Food Justice For All program, Allegheny Just Mediation’s Pittsburgh Housing Stabilization Mediation Program and Westmoreland Community Action’s Housing Counseling and Money Management Center.