path to equity

2021 Impact Report

Image of Neighborhood Allies team members and partners wth Thomas Boyd, Sr., at the groundbreaking of Big Tom’s Barbershop’s new building in the Hill District.

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.

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Letter from Leadership

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Our Work on the Ground

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Organizational Growth

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Financials

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Thank You

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 2021.

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Revitalize Neighborhoods

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Foster Economic Opportunity

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Build Capacity

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Advance Equity

Small Businesses Supported

Dollars of Debt Reduced

Community Building Events Organized

People participating in resident-led projects

Dollars invested in Equitable Development Activities
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Organization-In-Residence

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Fund My Future PGH

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The Partnership Network

organizational growth

Neighborhood Allies stepped into 2021 with renewed optimism and purpose. This is due, in part, to recent successes that demonstrate not only the efficacy of our work, but the regional receptivity to our mission and vision.

organizational growth

Neighborhood Allies stepped into 2021 with renewed optimism and purpose. This is due, in part, to recent successes that demonstrate not only the efficacy of our work, but the regional receptivity to our mission and vision.

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Organization-In-Residence

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Fund My Future PGH

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The Partnership Network

FInancials

Since 2014, our investments have leveraged over $58 million of additional investment towards building Healthy Neighborhoods. In 2021, we grew our organization to $18 million in assets and awarded $1 million directly into neighborhoods through grants.

thank you to our funders

We are extremely grateful to our dedicated community partners and funders. Together, over the past seven years, we have propelled 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.

2021 Neighborhood Allies Staff

Presley L. Gillespie, President & CEO

Stephanie Chernay, Chief Operating Officer

Violet Graham, Controller

Sarah Dieleman Perry
, Director of Economic Opportunity


Talia DePasquale
, Director of Communications and Storytelling


Shad Henderson
, Director of Equity and Inclusion


Matt Madia
, Director of Real Estate Services

Itha Cao, Director of Digital Inclusion and Innovation

Tamara Emswiler, Senior Program Manager for Social Impact Design

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

Toni Corinealdi, Senior Program Manager of Empowerment and Outreach

DeOndra Parker
, Operations and Program Support Manager


Ben Emswiler
, Executive Assistant and Office Manager


Chelsea Contino
, Communications and Outreach Program Manager

Javier Janik, Program Manager of Economic Opportunity

STEEL SMILING ORGANIZATION-IN-RESIDENCE STAFF

Julius Boatwright, Founder and Managing Director

Cait Lee, Operations Director

Robin M. Sheffey, Program Manager of Wellness Services