During this season of revelry and gift-giving, it’s important to turn our thoughts once in a while toward the gifts we give ourselves: a sense of belonging, and the knowledge that we’re doing our part to make our community a place were all are welcome, and all have what they need. The most rewarding thing you do all year may be volunteering and giving to help your neighbors meet their basic needs. These regional not-for-profit organizations are devoted to helping our neighbors, and to helping Western Pennsylvania be all that it can be. Please consider including them in your year-end charitable giving guide.
Giving Guide 2024: Traditions of Generosity
Sponsored by GBU Life
For many of us, year-end is a time to gather with friends and family and celebrate. It’s also a moment when many of us want to help others. Far too many people — no matter how hard they work — struggle to meet their family’s basic needs. How do we know? Calls and texts to United Way’s PA 211 Southwest help line more than doubled from 190,000 in 2019, pre-pandemic, to nearly 523,000 in 2022. The greatest needs are affordable housing, jobs and employment, and utility assistance—things that many of us take for granted.
As you consider holiday gift exchanges, I urge you to also consider charitable giving and volunteering. Each year, United Way and our partner agencies organize meaningful, hands-on volunteer opportunities that, for many, have become holiday traditions. To learn more and create your own holiday giving traditions, visit https://uwswpa.org/volunteer to learn how you can help meet basic needs, move people to financial stability and build for success in school and life. It just might be the most rewarding thing you do all year.
Bobbi Watt Geer, PH.D.
President and CEO, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania
Achieva
Achieva provides lifelong support to people with disabilities and their families throughout western Pennsylvania. Services include early intervention therapies, diverse community living options, employment support, and special needs trusts. These services are in addition to no cost advocacy and family support/foundational services on which Achieva was built in 1951.
Benedictine Sisters
As a faith-based community, we commit ourselves to the support of those who are most oppressed. The Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh continuing 150 years of seeking God in community, ministry, and prayer.
Brave Women Project
This Giving Tuesday, support the Brave Women Project (BWP) in empowering women to take bold steps in their personal and professional lives. Through impactful programs like the Pillar Awards, Come As You Are (CAYA) confidential virtual lunches, and the upcoming 2025 Bravery in Business Learning Cohort, BWP creates opportunities for women to connect, grow, and lead with courage.
The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh
The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center, where holistic care meets family empowerment. Our Pediatric Specialty Hospital transitions medically fragile children home safely. Child’s Way Daycare promotes clinicians and educators who support children with health complexities. Our adoption staff works with infants, children in foster care, birthparents, and adoptive families. World-renowned Pediatric VIEW focuses on pediatric cortical visual impairment. Our counseling services address growing mental health needs. Plus, specialized therapy prioritizes cohesive, comprehensive treatment.
City Theatre
City Theatre is Pittsburgh’s artistic home for bold, contemporary plays that challenge, engage, and inspire diverse audiences. Celebrating 50 years of storytelling, the company is rooted in the historic South Side, where its four-building cultural campus serves as a hub for creativity and community connection.
Easterseals
For over 100 years, Easterseals has been leading the way to 100% equity, inclusion and access for children and adults with disabilities. Easterseals Western and Central PA provides over 15 programs and services across 47 counties in Pennsylvania, supporting over 12,000 individuals and their families in their local communities.
Family House
Family House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing safe, affordable housing and support for families facing medical crises away from home. Donations to Family House enable the provision of essential services for guests, including private lodging, nutritious meals, free transportation to local hospitals, and supportive programs for recovery and wellbeing.
Familylinks
Familylinks serves individuals and families across Western Pennsylvania through more than 20 integrated community, behavioral, and social programs. The organization is committed to creating thriving communities of healthy and strong people.
Foster Love Project
Foster Love Project’s mission is to show love in action to children impacted by foster and kinship care through the provision of goods, services, and support. There are several ways to support our mission. To learn more about how we serve children and families click below.
Greater Pittsburgh Commuity Food Bank
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank’s mission is to leverage the power of community to achieve lasting solutions to hunger and its root causes. Ending hunger takes us all working together—food pantries and meals programs, schools, volunteers, donors, grocery stores and regional distribution partners. Eliminating hunger is a community initiative. Last year, the Food Bank distributed enough food for 42 million meals, including 12.5 million pounds of fresh produce, through a network of more than 1,000 agencies, partners and programs across an 11-county service area known as the Three Rivers Region.
Humane Action Pittsburgh
This Giving Tuesday, help Humane Action Pittsburgh create a kinder world for animals, people, and the environment. Through groundbreaking advocacy, education, and sustainable programs, we fight against cruelty, promote humane policies, and empower communities to protect vulnerable lives. Your generous donation will support life-saving initiatives that combat animal abuse, encourage compassion, and preserve our planet for future generations. Together, we can make an enduring impact—please give today and be a force for lasting change.
JCC of Greater Pittsburgh
At the JCC, we shine a light on Community, Wellness and Connection. The JCC, among the largest social service, recreational and educational organizations in the region, is open and accessible to everyone. The JCC strives to meet the needs of the community, providing child care, preschool, after-school, and camping programs, senior adult activities, fitness and wellness, special needs and neurodiverse services, cultural activities, social justice and civic engagement, and scores of programs for the community.
Little Sisters of the Poor
It has been the mission of the Little Sisters to serve the needs of the elderly poor, since 1872. Two primary requirements for admission at any level of care are for the applicant to be over the age of 65 and financially needy. Our love and care of the elderly poor is the heart of our mission, as is our spirit of hospitality. Learn more about our mission and how you can help below.
Living in Liberty
Living in Liberty wants to ensure that every woman has access to a nurturing community with access to healing resources. Your support makes this happen. Please help Living in Liberty raise over $3 million to fund the Tiny Homes Project, building and maintaining 10 tiny homes to accommodate individual survivors. A balance between independence and a supportive community is key to facilitating healing, transformation and growth.
Metro Community Health Center
Metro Community Health Center is an integrated medical, mental health, and dental clinic, located in Swissvale. They serve the neighborhoods of Swissvale, Wilkinsburg, Braddock, the greater Pittsburgh area, and all people who come to them. At Metro, their providers collaborate with each other to treat every aspect of a patient’s health, all under one roof. They offer all of our services to everyone, regardless of identity, income, insurance status, or the ability to pay.
National Aviary
The National Aviary provides daily high-quality, individualized care for more than 500 birds and animals, while also working as leaders of many worldwide conservation efforts. Crucial to the survival of many species, like the endangered African penguin and the extinct in the wild Guam kingfisher, this work cannot be done without your support. By donating to the National Aviary on Giving Tuesday, you are directly supporting their mission to save species and protect their habitats.
The Nurture Program
The Nurture Program empowers women and mothers of young children through innovative virtual mentorship. Trained, empathetic mentors provide flexible support via text, helping mothers navigate challenges while prioritizing maternal mental health and early literacy. This free and confidential program welcomes all families, fostering resilience and nurturing the next generation. Join the Nurture Program in building a supportive community where mothers can thrive, and together, we can create lasting impact.
Pennsylvania Women Work
Pennsylvania Women Work empowers women to advance in their careers and achieve self-sufficiency through life-changing career development programs and mentorship. Through no-cost group workshops and one-on-one coaching, participants address the barriers they might be experiencing in their career or employment search with a helping hand to guide them along the way. When someone joins PA Women Work’s community, they are surrounded by caring people available to help them start, grow, or transition in their career.
Persad Center
Founded in 1972, Persad Center is the second oldest behavioral outpatient agency in the United States. Our mission is to improve the well-being of the LGBTQ+ community and those living with AIDS/HIV through counseling, psychiatry, and support services. We provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all, especially for those who face significant barriers to mental health care. By prioritizing services for underserved populations, including Medicaid recipients, we aim to ensure that everyone has access to the mental health support they need.
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden offers 65 acres of gardens and woodlands for all to explore. Start your adventure in the Garden of the Five Senses and continue through the Allegheny Plateau Woodlands and Hillside Pollinator Garden.
Located west of Downtown Pittsburgh, a winter visit includes lunch at Canopy Café and shopping for nature inspired home decor at Forage & Finds.
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is proud to be your orchestra, one of the best in the world. Our sound reflects our Pittsburgh community – strong, energetic, and humble. The music you know and love is made possible by our donors. Every gift supports our performances, programs, and the people who make them happen. Support your PSO this Giving Tuesday and play your part to support great music in every life.
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
Your support keeps Pittsburgh’s parks thriving. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy has revitalized neglected spaces, restored trails, planted thousands of trees, and revived historic sites for nearly three decades. With community-driven plans, we’re advancing park equity and climate resilience, ensuring vibrant, accessible green spaces for all. On Giving Tuesday, your contribution will help shape a greener, healthier Pittsburgh—one where future generations can explore, learn, and grow. Together, let’s keep Pittsburgh’s green heart beating.
Providence Connections
Providence Connections, Inc. was founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1994 with the goal of providing comprehensive support services to develop economic and family self-sufficiency. Since then, Providence Connections has grown to host the Northside Family Center, a Keystone STARS 4 child care facility, extended care hours, and summer camp. Providence Connections works to strengthen families and enrich lives through our daily mission-driven work and provides a helping hand to those in need.
Rivers of Steel
Founded on the principles of heritage development, community partnership, and a reverence for the region’s shared resources, Rivers of Steel strengthens the economic and cultural fabric of Western Pennsylvania by fostering dynamic initiatives and transformative experiences.
Rivers of Steel showcases the region’s industrial and cultural heritage — offering unique experiences via tours, workshops, exhibitions, festivals, and more — while working with communities at the grassroots level to enhance economic revitalization.
Sarah Heinz House
Since 1901, Sarah Heinz House has shaped the future leaders of Pittsburgh, and we’re not slowing down. Our programs are about helping young people excel in school, grow personally, and become leaders in their community. Our supportive environment is where individuals can discover their potential, develop crucial skills, and make a positive impact on society. With a long history of fostering resilience, creativity, and civic responsibility, we’re dedicated to motivating and empowering the leaders of tomorrow.
So Many Angels
So Many Angels empowers children battling cancer and serious diagnoses to embrace their inner joy, capturing moments of pure childhood magic. Through personalized photo sessions, we help families treasure these beautiful works of art, preserving precious memories. Help us celebrate these amazing children by donating.
Special Olympics Pennsylvania
Your donations on Giving Tuesday will enable SOPA to provide sports training, competitions, year-round educational programs, and health services, all at no cost to the athletes.
Whether a monthly pledge donor, a volunteer at a local competition, a teacher promoting tolerance and acceptance in the classroom, or a campus volunteer recruiting fellow students to end the derogatory use of the “R-word,” our individual supporters are vital members of the global movement.
Trying Together
Trying Together supports high-quality care and education for young children by providing advocacy, community resources, and professional growth opportunities for the needs and rights of children, their families, and the individuals who interact with them. This organization works regionally in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and takes its expertise and models to statewide and national audiences.
UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation
UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation is the sole fundraising arm of UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Join us in supporting UPMC Children’s physicians, nurses, and staff who work tirelessly to provide expert care to children and their families in their times of greatest need.
Wesley Family Services
Through Aging, Autism, Foster Care and Adoption, Specialized Education, and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities programs, Wesley Family Services is changing lives every day. Wesley Family Services has a proven commitment to creating and sustaining a culture that provides Quality Whole Person Care® that focuses on empowering lives and transforming futures – both those we are privileged to serve, and our dedicated team.
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
Do you watch birds in your backyard, take hikes or fish on a local stream? No matter how you enjoy it, nature is there for you. Please protect wild places and green spaces for future generations! When you support the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, you help to plant trees and gardens, protect and study wildlife, habitats and streams, maintain trails, conserve land and care for Fallingwater.
Donate or become a member of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy today!
Westmoreland Food Bank
The Westmoreland Food Bank works to ensure that no one go without the healthy and nutritious food needed to thrive. Our network of partners and programs keep our neighbors in need at the center of our work. Through your generous donations of time, food, and funds, the Westmoreland Food Bank can continue to provide ready access to food to neighbors in Westmoreland County.
WORK
WORK’s mission is to accompany families in Haiti out of poverty through good, dignified jobs. Nearly one in 10 people live in extreme poverty worldwide. We’re here to change that. We stand alongside the families we serve and accompany them with essential needs, training and placement into dignified work. They graduate with a living income, and with opportunities to build generational wealth to end generational poverty.
Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf
The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf is a non-profit, tuition-free school that provides high quality academic, athletic, and extracurricular programs and clubs to deaf and hard-of-hearing children across Pennsylvania. In addition, the school offers the Residential Program which is available to students throughout the school week and provides a warm, yet structured family-like environment in the beautiful student residence. At WPSD, kids come first!
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