Local Organizations Receive Major Support in Fight to Eliminate Racism & Empower Women
Brenden Rogers
3/7/2023
Pittsburgh, PA–YWCA Greater Pittsburgh, in partnership with POISE Foundation, recently
awarded grants to 17 local nonprofits working to eliminate racism and empower women. The
three-year Mission in Action initiative is funded by a one-time donation from philanthropist
MacKenzie Scott. YWCA is leveraging this unique donation to advance their mission through
collaborations designed to build a future filled with equitable opportunities; where racial and
gender achievement gaps no longer exist. The celebratory announcement gives much deserved
recognition to those working to make the Pittsburgh region a better place to live, work, and
thrive.
“YWCA Greater Pittsburgh is very proud to partner with all of our Mission in Action grantees. We
know that true systemic change requires collaboration and innovation,” said Angela Reynolds,
YWCA Greater Pittsburgh CEO. “There are many community members and small nonprofits
that are doing tremendous work to eliminate racism and empower women. Investing in these
efforts is a strategic move to collectively move the needle on equity in our region.”
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 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
● RE Visions
● re:Bloom
● Royally Fit
● Ruth's Way, Inc.
● SisTersPGH
● THE GENESIS COLLECTIVE
● TransYouniting PGH
● Youth Enrichment Services, Inc.
"The POISE Foundation is proud to support the Mission in Action program in partnership with
the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh and their visionary CEO, Angela Reynolds. This work advances
their vision to support organizations working to eliminate racism and empower women in the
Greater Pittsburgh region," stated Mark Lewis, CEO of POISE Foundation. "Based on the
documented historical disinvestment in Black and Brown women-led families, grants from this
program ensure a greater understanding, commitment, and connection to the organizations,
communities, and individuals who continue to push forward in the advancement of equity and
racial justice."
Throughout the year, YWCA will shine the spotlight on the award recipients and share stories
about the projects on their social media channels. In all, the Mission in Action grant program will
award more than $2.1 million over the next three years. Applications will open again in fall 2023.
For more information about the Mission in Action program, visit ywcapgh.org/about-
us/missioninaction.