Driving Change and Transforming Lives Together

2023 Impact Report

a letter from leadership

2023 was a year of implementation and impact. We strengthened our programs from the inside out and built upon long-term partnerships to make progress towards our north star goal of moving 100,000 low-income Pittsburghers up the socio-economic ladder.

Driving Change and Transforming Lives Together

2023 Impact Report

a letter from leadership

2022 was a challenging year—from continued social and economic inequities to many feeling further isolated and disconnected as a result of the ongoing pandemic. Faced with these prolonged challenges, the question we have asked ourselves is “How did we respond?”

In 2023, we mobilized more than $5.5 million of investments into neighborhoods.

Our work leveraged an additional $11.2 million for community-driven development projects.

Over half of our yearly expenditures were paid to minority-led entities.

2023 proved to be a trying  year with global and domestic geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties, including rising inflation, food insecurity, affordable housing shortages, and volatile economic conditions. The myriad of challenges had a dramatic impact on our neighborhoods; yet despite these extreme concerns, Neighborhood Allies has continued its unwavering commitment as a catalyst for transformative community change. 

Over the past year, we continued to forge strong, trust-based partnerships across nonprofit, civic, government, philanthropic and corporate sectors; make catalytic community-driven investments; and provide critical technical and advisory support to community-based developers, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit organizations. Importantly, we invested over $5.5 million in people and places, and leveraged an additional $11.2 million. Specifically, we:

Launched two state-of-the-art Digital Learning Centers to bring resources for STEAM programming and workforce development to Homewood residents and connected nearly 4,500 residents with digital tools, including free laptops and hotspots, internet access, digital literacy and upskilling courses, and more.

Invested $1.37 million into 122 different Black-and-women-owned vendors, organizations, and individuals across our work, representing 55% of our total expenditures for the year.

Merged and integrated Omicelo Cares, a Black-led nonprofit into Neighborhood Allies’ portfolio of services and preserved critical community real estate development programming.

Facilitated the opening of 294 safe, affordable bank accounts collectively through our youth banking initiatives, the Allegheny County Financial Empowerment Center, and Fund My Future PGH.

Our Social Impact Design Team led or participated in 6 design projects and engaged over 700 residents in community-led design engagement – making architectural and urban design accessible to historically disinvested communities and centering community vision in every way.

Celebrated 10 years of programming and 5,000 families enrolled in Fund My Future PGH, helping residents to save for their children’s future.

Steel Smiling, our Organization-in-Residence, contributed 6,700 hours towards promoting positive change of the Black Mental Health ecosystem, served 1,237 residents, and organized nearly 80 community-building events.

Prepared to expand the Financial Empowerment Center to all of Allegheny County.

Nurtured our staff’s growing talents, knowledge, and passions. Collectively, our staff engaged in over 1,700 hours of training and volunteer service in areas such as mental health, equity, and community support.

Led or participated in 6 networks — the Preservation Working Group, The Asset Building Network, the Pittsburgh Digital Equity Coalition (PDEC), the Greater Pittsburgh Digital Inclusion Alliance’s (GPDIA) Affordable Connectivity Program Working Group, The Partnership Network, and the Alliance for Access and Assets.

As we look ahead and move into our historic 10th year since the relaunch of our organization, we are immensely grateful and optimistic about the opportunities that lie before us. We are transitioning from a successful start-up organization to an enduring enterprise;  with the capabilities to lead transformational and sustainable change in the Pittsburgh region. We will continue to prioritize equitable development to improve the flow of capital to Black neighborhoods; test new, innovative ideas to ensure that, as we lift the markets, we are also expanding economic opportunity; and improve the social and mental well-being of ALL community members by bridging the gap in health, wealth, and opportunity.  

Thank you to our committed and talented staff, Board of Directors, and partners. Without your dedication, passion, and commitment, we could not carry out the challenging work that we do.

To all our supporters, funders, investors, and residents, we are immensely grateful for your generosity and trust. Without you, we could not work towards our vision for all neighborhoods to be thriving, resilient, and equitable for all.

With Gratitude,