While most United Way chapters got fewer charitable donations this year, the United Way of Allegheny County ran its strongest fundraising campaign in eight years.
United Way of Allegheny County President Bob Nelkin says the 2010 campaign raised $31.8 million, up $1 million from 2009. He says most of United Way’s support comes from workplace campaigns, and two dozen new businesses joined the fundraiser this year.
Nelkin says as a result, the United Way’s programs will be able to help more needy children, families, and seniors. He says Pittsburgh has proven its commitment to community at a critical time for human services.
“As the recession has ended, the human need actually has continued. If you look at things like food stamp usage in the county, it’s actually gone up,” says Nelkin. “So, people continue to struggle, and yet at this very time, state and federal government are contracting their services and contracting the safety net.”
Nelkin says his United Way chapter continues its appeal to Harrisburg to prevent budget cuts to programs that are working.
Showing posts with label United Way. Show all posts
Showing posts with label United Way. Show all posts
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Mayor Launches ‘ServePGH’
With an eye on making Pittsburgh and even more livable city, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has launched a new citywide civic volunteerism program. The ‘ServePGH’ program is a multi pronged effort to get more residents involved in their city.
The city has already launched a Civic Leadership Academy where residents are trained to learn how to lead community groups, start block watches and launch other community-building activities. Today Mayor Ravenstahl unveiled four other efforts that will form the basis of ServePGH.
Taking the spotlight today was the “Mayor’s Mentoring Initiative” that gives city workers up to two hours of administrative leave per week to mentor middle-school students. The program piggybacks on a mentoring program launched last year by the United Way of Allegheny County. United Way President Bob Nelkin says many kids in the city need to see adults who hold everyday jobs. “Our kids don’t know what those jobs and careers are, They may have the dream of being an NBA star but they need to know what the real jobs are in health fields and in other fields.”
Toni Kendrick is a principal in a Pittsburgh Public school on the North Side. She says she has seen firsthand the impact of mentoring. “Students who are mentored receive better grades… are less likely to be involved with drugs and street violence… [and] students with mentors are 86% more likely to attend college,” says Kendrick. Her school is home to 55 sixth graders with United Way mentors this year and she says 28 of them are on the Honor Roll.
Other prongs of the ServePGH program will be rolled out in the coming months. The “Love Your Block” program will roll out this spring along with the “Redd Up Zone” effort. Both programs have the goal of cleaning up neighborhoods and instilling more civic pride. A “Snow Angles” program will launch in the fall, calling on residents to volunteer to shovel the sidewalks and driveways of neighbors who can’t do it themselves. “When I grew up, I used to love snow and when I became the mayor I now hate snow,” says Ravenstahl. He says we all have to deal with the snow and many seniors need help.
It is unclear if the mayor plans to adopt a sidewalk but he says he will be taking on a mentee. “I can’t with a straight face ask our directors and city employees to go do something I’m not willing to do myself,” says Ravenstahl.
The city has already launched a Civic Leadership Academy where residents are trained to learn how to lead community groups, start block watches and launch other community-building activities. Today Mayor Ravenstahl unveiled four other efforts that will form the basis of ServePGH.
Taking the spotlight today was the “Mayor’s Mentoring Initiative” that gives city workers up to two hours of administrative leave per week to mentor middle-school students. The program piggybacks on a mentoring program launched last year by the United Way of Allegheny County. United Way President Bob Nelkin says many kids in the city need to see adults who hold everyday jobs. “Our kids don’t know what those jobs and careers are, They may have the dream of being an NBA star but they need to know what the real jobs are in health fields and in other fields.”
Toni Kendrick is a principal in a Pittsburgh Public school on the North Side. She says she has seen firsthand the impact of mentoring. “Students who are mentored receive better grades… are less likely to be involved with drugs and street violence… [and] students with mentors are 86% more likely to attend college,” says Kendrick. Her school is home to 55 sixth graders with United Way mentors this year and she says 28 of them are on the Honor Roll.
Other prongs of the ServePGH program will be rolled out in the coming months. The “Love Your Block” program will roll out this spring along with the “Redd Up Zone” effort. Both programs have the goal of cleaning up neighborhoods and instilling more civic pride. A “Snow Angles” program will launch in the fall, calling on residents to volunteer to shovel the sidewalks and driveways of neighbors who can’t do it themselves. “When I grew up, I used to love snow and when I became the mayor I now hate snow,” says Ravenstahl. He says we all have to deal with the snow and many seniors need help.
It is unclear if the mayor plans to adopt a sidewalk but he says he will be taking on a mentee. “I can’t with a straight face ask our directors and city employees to go do something I’m not willing to do myself,” says Ravenstahl.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Budget Cuts Force Service Reductions As Demand Rises
The stagnant economy has increased demand for the services Pennsylvania’s nonprofit organizations provide. But according to a new report from the United Way of Pennsylvania, two cycles of budget cuts have forced charities to trim services and turn away clients.
The survey of 1,000 Pennsylvania nonprofits revealed a 50 percent increase in the number of people who looked to charities for help for the first time. Tony Ross, the president of the United Way of Pennsylvania, said the number of unemployed and uninsured people asking for help has climbed, as well. “Many of my colleagues from across the commonwealth report that many of our friends and neighbors that were once financial contributors to charities are now actually seeking services from those exact same charities,” he said. “To put it another way, the donor has become the client in many cases.”
Funding cuts hurt charities’ abilities to respond, according to the survey. 7 in 10 nonprofits lost funding over the last two years. 34 percent had to turn away people asking for help, and more than 60 percent had to lay off staffers.
That’s partially because private funding didn’t fill the gap left by a decline in state support, according to Ross. “Nongovernmental sources of funds – private foundation grants, individual donations, things of that nature – have remained flat or decreased since 2008, for most nonprofit organizations. That is the case for 77 percent of the respondents in our survey,” he said.
Governor Corbett’s budget keeps nonprofit funding relatively level. Leslie Osche, the executive director of Butler County’s United Way, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette she was “pleasantly surprised” by that portion of the Republican’s spending plan, though Ross called other budget line items “ugly.”
The survey of 1,000 Pennsylvania nonprofits revealed a 50 percent increase in the number of people who looked to charities for help for the first time. Tony Ross, the president of the United Way of Pennsylvania, said the number of unemployed and uninsured people asking for help has climbed, as well. “Many of my colleagues from across the commonwealth report that many of our friends and neighbors that were once financial contributors to charities are now actually seeking services from those exact same charities,” he said. “To put it another way, the donor has become the client in many cases.”
Funding cuts hurt charities’ abilities to respond, according to the survey. 7 in 10 nonprofits lost funding over the last two years. 34 percent had to turn away people asking for help, and more than 60 percent had to lay off staffers.
That’s partially because private funding didn’t fill the gap left by a decline in state support, according to Ross. “Nongovernmental sources of funds – private foundation grants, individual donations, things of that nature – have remained flat or decreased since 2008, for most nonprofit organizations. That is the case for 77 percent of the respondents in our survey,” he said.
Governor Corbett’s budget keeps nonprofit funding relatively level. Leslie Osche, the executive director of Butler County’s United Way, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette she was “pleasantly surprised” by that portion of the Republican’s spending plan, though Ross called other budget line items “ugly.”
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Nonprofit Workers Paid More Despite Recession
A survey conducted by Robert Morris University and the United Way of Allegheny County reveals employees of local nonprofits recently received the smallest two-year increase in salaries since the survey began in 2002.
However, analysts say the 2008-2010 average salary increase of 2.5% is positive because the economic recession could have kept wages from increasing at all.
Executive Director Peggy Outon of Robert Morris' Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management says the study also shows more women than men in local nonprofit leadership roles. But Outon says these women are getting paid almost 25% less than their male counterparts, who average more than $118,000 per year.
"We are going to be doing three years of detailed research on the lives of women in nonprofits, to try to see that they can become more adept at asking for raises, become more adept at showing their leadership and demonstrating the value of their leadership," says Outon.
The 25 % gender wage gap is slimmer than in the past, though; in 2002, women in local nonprofits earned just 62% of men's wages. However, Outon says more progress must be made: the national rate for women is 80%.
Outon does not anticipate the raise rate increasing over the next couple of years, and neither does United Way President Bob Nelkin.
"I think the greatest challenges are ahead," Nelkin says. "The word out of Harrisburg, although early in the administration, is fiscal discipline and less spending on human services and the safety net."
However, analysts say the 2008-2010 average salary increase of 2.5% is positive because the economic recession could have kept wages from increasing at all.
Executive Director Peggy Outon of Robert Morris' Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management says the study also shows more women than men in local nonprofit leadership roles. But Outon says these women are getting paid almost 25% less than their male counterparts, who average more than $118,000 per year.
"We are going to be doing three years of detailed research on the lives of women in nonprofits, to try to see that they can become more adept at asking for raises, become more adept at showing their leadership and demonstrating the value of their leadership," says Outon.
The 25 % gender wage gap is slimmer than in the past, though; in 2002, women in local nonprofits earned just 62% of men's wages. However, Outon says more progress must be made: the national rate for women is 80%.
Outon does not anticipate the raise rate increasing over the next couple of years, and neither does United Way President Bob Nelkin.
"I think the greatest challenges are ahead," Nelkin says. "The word out of Harrisburg, although early in the administration, is fiscal discipline and less spending on human services and the safety net."
Monday, January 31, 2011
United Way Offers Tax Preparation
Families earning up to $40,000 and individuals making up to $20,000 are entitled to free tax preparation. United Way and The Money In Your Pocket Coalition have launched their third Free Tax Preparation Campaign to help workers claim maximum tax refunds.
Julie DeSeyn, a Program Manager for the United Way, says that volunteers come from various backgrounds. "We do get a number from major corporations in the area, people are students majoring in accounting, or people who are involved in finance some way but not directly in tax preparation. Or people that just, and I was amazed at the number of people out there that just really enjoy doing taxes."
She says that United Way held three weekend sessions for volunteers, each going through 18 hours of training in tax law and software.
The United Way and Money In Your Pocket Coalition have opened six locations in Pittsburgh. Taxpayers looking for help can call the United Way Helpline at 412-225-1155 to get information on the nearest tax location to them and appointment times.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Grants for Programs That Support Independent Living
Ten agencies will receive grants from the United Way of Allegheny County totalling $2.16 million to enhance services that help frail seniors and persons with disabilities be healthy and safe in their homes. United Way President Bob Nelkin says 26 organizations submitted proposals for the grants and more than 80 business volunteers reviewed the applications and determined which would help the seniors and the disabled the most.
Nelkin says these grants are part of the United Way's new Impact Model which is designed to support programs that have the greatest impact on the community's critical needs and respond to donors who are seeking the best use of charitable donations. He says the focus of these grants is helping the elderly and disabled remain in their homes safely...
"They need someone looking in on them. They need transportation to health care appointments. Often they need help with getting groceries and with chores so they can stay in their homes. The alternative is one they often don't want...being placed in a nursing home or institution."
One of the grant recipients is the attendant care training program provided by United Cerebral Palsy. The workers provide direct in-home personal care including bathing, dressing, preparing food and transportation.
"Our grant is intended professionalize the attendant care, to help create the training so they can help the individual but in a very respectful way."
Other grant recipients include:
--Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services and Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh
--Catholic Youth Association
--Centers for Healthy Hearts and Souls
--Community Human Services
--Family Service of Western PA and North Hills Community Outreach
--Jewish Community Center with Jewish Association on Aging and Jewish Family and Children's Service
--Lutheran Service Society
--Northern Area Multi Service Center
--Vintage and the Department of Human Services/Area Agency on Aging
Nelkin says these grants are part of the United Way's new Impact Model which is designed to support programs that have the greatest impact on the community's critical needs and respond to donors who are seeking the best use of charitable donations. He says the focus of these grants is helping the elderly and disabled remain in their homes safely...
"They need someone looking in on them. They need transportation to health care appointments. Often they need help with getting groceries and with chores so they can stay in their homes. The alternative is one they often don't want...being placed in a nursing home or institution."
One of the grant recipients is the attendant care training program provided by United Cerebral Palsy. The workers provide direct in-home personal care including bathing, dressing, preparing food and transportation.
"Our grant is intended professionalize the attendant care, to help create the training so they can help the individual but in a very respectful way."
Other grant recipients include:
--Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services and Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh
--Catholic Youth Association
--Centers for Healthy Hearts and Souls
--Community Human Services
--Family Service of Western PA and North Hills Community Outreach
--Jewish Community Center with Jewish Association on Aging and Jewish Family and Children's Service
--Lutheran Service Society
--Northern Area Multi Service Center
--Vintage and the Department of Human Services/Area Agency on Aging
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
United Way: Despite Economic Challenges...Pleased With Results
Contributions to the United Way of Allegheny County 2009 Campaign were down 2.4% compared to the previous year. Bob Nelkin, president of the organization, says contributions between September and April 30th totaled $30,486,335....about $750,000 less than a year ago..."I'm still very pleased because this was despite challenges local employees had. There were layoffs, there were cutbacks, there was anxiety about whether compensation would be renewed. Despite they were very generous."
Nelkin said significantly 87% of people who contributed in 2008 and again in 2009 gave as much or more in this recent campaign. He says a nationwide survey indicated that 67% of donors to non-profits were contributing the same amount or less this year...."there's something special about Pittsburgh and its generosity."
Despite the overall decline, Nelkin says they added 27 companies, up to 725, who ran employee contribution plans and they will continue to reach out to smaller and medium size companies to join them.
Still, he says the bottom line is the impact on services..."You can raise a lot of money but still not have a great impact on the community. The United Way has been working hard with partner agencies to reshape their efforts so they get the biggest bang for the buck."
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