In partnership with POISE Foundation, YWCA Greater Pittsburgh is awarding $700,000 to support organizations working to eliminate racism and empower women in the region through its Mission in Action grant program.
“We know that true systemic change requires collaboration and innovation,” said Angela Reynolds, YWCA Greater Pittsburgh CEO. “Investing in these efforts helps build a future filled with possibilities where racial and gender opportunity gaps no longer exist.”
Now in its second year, the Mission in Action grants prioritize organizations and fiscally sponsored projects that predominantly serve women of color with an annual operating budget of less than $5 million. Funded by a one-time donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the Mission in Action program seeks to fund projects that advance equitable policies, practices, and attitudes in the Pittsburgh region. In all, over three years, the fund will award $2 million.
“This partnership perfectly aligns with our mission to assist the community in achieving self-sustaining practices through strategic leadership, collective giving, grantmaking, and advocacy,” said Mark Lewis, POISE Foundation CEO. “We are excited to support these critical investments, which can help Pittsburgh become a better place to live and thrive.”
“This work matters because women are the glue and the backbone of society. We envision a world without poverty,” said Tanya Vokes, Dress for Success Pittsburgh CEO and 2022 Mission in Action Grant Recipient. “One in which all women are treated with dignity and respect, each free to define success on her terms.”
In support of the advancement of mission-aligned nonprofits and fiscally-sponsored projects in the region, a subset of awardees will also receive capacity-building support.
The 2023 Mission in Action grantees include the following organizations:
● Aaron Donald 99 Solutions Foundation
● AFRIKA YETU
● Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh (BCAP)
● Casa San Jose
● Charles Street Area Council/Corporation
● Demaskus Theater Collective
● Dress for Success Pittsburgh
● Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh
● Let’s Get Free
● Melanin Mommies PGH
● RE Visions
● Bloom
● Royally Fit
● Ruth’s Way, Inc.
● SisTersPGH
● THE GENESIS COLLECTIVE
● TransYouniting PGH
● Youth Enrichment Services, Inc.
Interested individuals may apply by visiting bit.ly/MissionInActionGrant today through October 2, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. They can also attend a Grant Preparedness Session on September 6, 2023, at noon (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89356762983, Meeting ID: 893 5676 2983) or September 7, 2023, at 6:30 PM via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82916502929, Meeting ID: 829 1650 2929). Please direct questions to Sarah Byrne-Houser, POISE Foundation Program Officer for External Partnerships, at [email protected].