a year of powerful change.
2020 Impact Report
Liberation Wall mural by Kyle Holbrook at Community Empowerment Association, Homewood.
expanding opportunity
This report reflects our progress, aspirations and values—as we look to the future of Neighborhood Allies’ efforts to lead reinvestment in Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods—equitably, effectively, and efficiently ensuring that we foster neighborhoods of opportunity and social mobility, in service of our most vulnerable populations, and those most at risk of being systemically isolated and removed from economic opportunities.
Letter from Leadership
Our Work on the Ground
Organizational Growth
Financials
Thank You to Our Funders
Thank You to Our Board of Directors
MARCH 2020 - COVID HITS
Neighborhood Allies closely monitored the ongoing local, regional and national concerns surrounding the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), prioritizing the health and safety of our staff, grantees, partners, and individuals in the communities we serve. We value the incredible work that our partners contribute to Pittsburgh communities every day. During this crisis, we were proud to support even a small portion of their efforts and continue to support our partners today.
APRIL 2020 - COVID RESPONSE
The COVID Accelerated Relief Effort (CARE) Package is a response package our team deployed to catalyze our work helping small businesses apply for the Paycheck Protection Program, participate in our Get Online and Grow Online e-commerce assistance program, or enroll in our CARE Fund emergency grant program to receive food, protective equipment, and other vital materials for residents.
AUGUST 2020 - CREA LAUNCH
Neighborhood Allies launched its blueprint for a bold, new, comprehensive and community-based real estate model aimed at increasing capital flow, economic opportunity, and quality of life for traditionally underserved residents in 2020. The Centralized Real Estate Accelerator was developed to accelerate, scale and sustain a more strategic real estate development system, with a dedicated support platform designed to benefit all residents. Recognizing a common thread of frustration from our community and development partners, this idea was born from a sustained concern that our real estate development system is broken or limiting.
OCTOBER 2020 - LEVEL UP 412
Even before the pandemic, the need for digital skills was on the rise, especially in the workplace. In fact, 82% of middle-income jobs require digital literacy and usage – jobs which make up 38% of all job postings and pay 17% more than their non-digitized counterparts. In response to this trend, in partnership with Verizon, we launched Level Up 412 to offer digital skills training for youth and adults in topics ranging from coding and software development to cybersecurity, IT support, and applied tech like 3D printing.
working on the ground
Our North Star Goal is to expand our resources to Accelerate, Scale, and Sustain the work of our community partners to create healthy neighborhoods of opportunity in Pittsburgh. Specifically, we aim to move 100,000 low-income Pittsburghers up the socio-economic ladder over the next ten years. Here is a glimpse at the progress and impact Neighborhood Allies made in 2020.
Healthy Neighborhoods
Programs + Initiatives
Capacity Building
Celebrating Success
People Connected to Real Estate Resources
Clients Achieving a Positive Financial Outcome
Number of Positive Stories Shared
Number of People participating in grassroots initiatives
Dollars invested in Equitable Development Activities
Digital Inclusion
Real Estate Accelerator
COVID Response
organizational growth
In 2020, against the backdrop of a global pandemic, unprecedented civil unrest, and ongoing economic uncertainty, Neighborhood Allies delivered the strongest revenue and financial results on record. We launched 15 new initiatives, diversified our funding sources and brought on additional talented and passionate staff to help us achieve our organizational goals.
organizational growth
In 2020, against the backdrop of a global pandemic, unprecedented civil unrest, and ongoing economic uncertainty, Neighborhood Allies delivered the strongest revenue and financial results on record. We launched 15 new initiatives, diversified our funding sources and brought on additional talented and passionate staff to help us achieve our organizational goals.
Digital Inclusion
Real Estate Accelerator
COVID Response
Beyond the Laptops
Beyond the Laptops began in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Families and workers were expected to complete school and jobs remotely.
Centralized Real Estate Accelerator
In 2020, Neighborhood Allies created the Centralized Real Estate Accelerator to empower early stage for-profit and nonprofit developers and property owners to achieve their vision by improving technical capacity, increasing financial readiness, and building professional networks.
Fund My Future
The vision of Fund My Future (FMF) is that children and their families take practical steps that transform aspirations into reality and build confidence in the future as part of a local savings movement.
Get Online & Grow Online
At the height of COVID-19, we launched a program in partnership with the Urban Redevelopment Authority to aid our local small businesses in implementing new, creative ways to reach their customers.
The Homewood Experience
The Homewood Experience offers a blended approach to community engagement, business development, sustainability, cultural integrity, all under the guise of an authentic branding narrative that preserves the history and pride of the Homewood Community.
Level Up 412
Created by Neighborhood Allies, funded by Verizon, we work in partnership with respected regional partners committed to bridging the digital divide, providing STEM learning to all ages and populations.
FInancials
Since 2014, our investments have leveraged over $50 million of additional investment towards building Healthy Neighborhoods. In 2020, we grew our organization to over $17 million in assets and awarded $758,201 in grants through our Catalytic, Love My Neighbor!, and CARE Fund grant programs.
thank you to our funders
We are extremely grateful to our dedicated community partners and funders. Together, we will continue to propel our neighborhoods and residents towards a better tomorrow. Thank you to the following organizations for providing the financial resources and partnerships that make our city healthier, safer, and stronger.
Anonymous Donor
Development Block Grant
2020 Neighborhood Allies Staff
Presley L. Gillespie, President
Stephanie Chernay, Chief Operating Officer
Sarah Dieleman Perry, Director of Economic Opportunity
Talia DePasquale, Director of Communications and Storytelling
Shad Henderson, Director of Equity and Inclusion
Vanessa Buffry, Director of Digital Inclusion
Matt Madia, Director of Real Estate Services
Demi Kolke, Senior Program Manager of Corridor Revitalization
Glenn Grayson Jr., Senior Program Manager for Neighborhood Development
Jael Jones, Senior Program Manager for Real Estate Services
Cait Lee, Program Manager for Grants and Investments
Tamara Cartwright, Program Manager for Social Impact Design
DeOndra Parker, Operations and Program Support Manager
Ben Emswiler, Executive Assistant and Office Manager
Chelsea Contino, Communications and Outreach Program Coordinator
Neighborhood Allies
429 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1900
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412.471.3727
www.neighborhoodallies.org info@neighborhoodallies.org