Three Rivers Business Alliance Foundation is the largest advocacy organization dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBTQ people efforts in recruiting, supporting and certifying LGBTQ+ communities of color owned businesses as minority businesses (LGBTBE). This grant will allow them to conduct targeted outreach to local LGBTQ businesses, provide mentorship throughout the certification process, and provide opportunities for newly certified businesses to learn how they can maximize their certification.

The Promise Center of Homewood aims to achieve comprehensive outcomes in sexual health education, life skills development, and conflict resolution, fostering empowered and well-rounded individuals within their community through their “Find Beauty Within” program. This grant will support their programming and administration costs, including materials to conduct engaging workshops that empower students.

The Early Excellent Project (EEP) at the Margaret Washington Literacy Center strives to narrow the opportunity gap and support early childcare centers in receiving resources and accreditations to enrich the learning of Black and Brown children. Located in the Hill District, EEP aims to support the strengthening of early childcare sites that serve low-income families in Allegheny County to ensure equity in inclusivity in education. RISE HIGH grant funds will be used to implement a high-impact tutoring program at Miller Elementary for one quarter. This initiative is aimed at enhancing the academic achievements of students through personalized and focused tutoring sessions.

The Senior Jazz Connection and Resource Fair is a comprehensive initiative designed to enrich the cultural landscape of our community while offering valuable opportunities for artistic expression, skill development, and social interaction. Through a combination of workshops, performances, and outreach programs, they aspire to cultivate a deep appreciation for jazz music and its role in promoting understanding and unity. RISE HIGH funds will be used for planning, facility, and administration costs, fees for jazz bands, catered lunch for 40 seniors, and cost for health resources to seniors for distribution.

The Oakland Business Improvement District’s (OBID), through its Equitable Oakland program, will establish an inclusive small business support effort to open the doors to emerging entrepreneurs – especially BIPOC founders – ensuring that everyone benefits from exposure to the economic might of Pittsburgh’s most dynamic neighborhood. RISE HIGH funds will be used to retain and expand Argyle Studio 2.0, providing space and support for 3-6 entrepreneur residents on 6-month rotations, with technical assistance for up to 20 businesses. The target audience will be BIPOC, Latinx and immigrant residents.

The OJ Macklin Foundation is a newly founded nonprofit organization centering the importance of fitness and holistic wellness for Black boys in Pittsburgh. Their mission is “to support, improve, and empower physical and mental wellness for youth and their families through education and mentorship.” The RISE HIGH grant will cover programming, administration, and facilities costs for their EmpowerFit program – an eight-week afterschool initiative offering fitness training, supplementary wellness-centered activities and education, and one-on-one mentorship for Black boys.

The Homeless Children’s Educational Fund (HCEF) is dedicated to tackling the urgent economic disparity affecting young people of color by addressing their quality of life. Recognizing the financial challenges children and youth experiencing homelessness face, especially when intersecting with another marginalized identity, HCEF aims to provide equity through education. RISE HIGH funds will be used to cover workforce development and financial literacy training for students experiencing homelessness, personnel, supplies and administration costs, as well as transportation for students to and from the program.