Neighborhood Allies is proud to announce that we have received a $25,000 grant from Comcast to support Digital Literacy Training for Small Business Owners. This funding will allow us to provide essential skills and resources that help local entrepreneurs leverage technology, expand their reach, and strengthen their businesses in an increasingly digital economy. The grant is part of Project UP, Comcast’s comprehensive $1 billion initiative to connect people to the Internet, provide digital opportunity and build a future of Unlimited Possibilities. 

This grant builds on previous Comcast-supported workshops and reflects Neighborhood Allies’ commitment to providing equitable resources that equip local business owners with practical skills in social media marketing, business growth, and grant writing.  

Comcast and Neighborhood Allies have grown our partnership over the last three years.  The company’s ongoing and increasing investment allows us to do more than provide one-off opportunities and instead, focus on long-term investment in our small businesses. In 2024, Comcast awarded a grant that enabled us to host  a series of three workshops that were well attended from businesses in our network and some new to us as well! 

“At Comcast, we know real community progress happens when we work together,” said Ricky Frazier Jr., Regional Senior Vice President, Comcast. “Neighborhood Allies understands what it takes to unlock opportunity through digital skills, and we’re proud to support their work that drives meaningful change for Pittsburgh’s small business community.” 

“At Neighborhood Allies, we recognize the brilliance and resilience of our neighborhood entrepreneurs,” said Presley Gillespie, President, Neighborhood Allies. “This generous investment from Comcast bolsters our mission to create neighborhoods of opportunity by equipping small business owners with the digital tools and training they need to succeed. We are excited to deepen our partnership with Comcast as we work together to foster economic mobility, enhance family stability, and drive community transformation across Pittsburgh.” 

Participant feedback underscores the impact of these sessions. 

Impact Highlights from the 2024 Workshops.   

• High satisfaction: The majority of surveyed participants rated the workshops and facilitators as excellent, praising their knowledge, enthusiasm, and hands-on guidance through relevant material and topics. All participants rated the instructors as good or excellent. 

• Actionable takeaways: Attendees gained skills in social media marketing, expanding into new markets, and grant writing—tools they could immediately apply to grow their businesses. 

• Strong outcomes: 100% of surveyed participants reported walking away with new ideas or strategies and 100% would recommend the series to others. 

• Manageable participation: 100% of surveyed participants found the logistics of the workshops (location, venue accommodations, etc.) to be good or excellent. 

• Community-centric: Participants appreciated that instructors were “from the community” and that the workshops were held in “a community that needs and deserves these resources.” 

• Participant feedback shapes the future: Requests for more sessions, additional topics, and networking opportunities will inform this next series of digital literacy trainings. 

These workshop results clearly show how our programs help move Pittsburghers up the socio-economic ladder. By gaining practical skills in digital marketing, business growth, and grant writing, and putting those strategies into practice, participants are strengthening their businesses, increasing business revenue potential and the financial resources of their households / families, and building long-term economic stability. These outcomes aren’t just takeaways: they reflect tangible steps that help local entrepreneurs expand their reach, operate more sustainably, and create greater economic opportunity for themselves and their communities. 

Neighborhood Allies is deeply grateful to Comcast NBCUniversal for its continued partnership and investment in a thriving local economy. Together, we are helping entrepreneurs build stronger, more resilient businesses—and advancing equitable opportunities for all community members. Stay tuned for information on the workshops and exciting new opportunities that we will be implementing through this year’s grant!