United Way invests $124,300 in 14 nonprofit capital improvement projects

PITTSBURGH (Jan. 16, 2026) – United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania has distributed $124,300 to 14 local organizations through the Falk Facilities and Technology Improvement Fund, which each year awards funds to eligible nonprofits to complete capital or technology purchases or improvements that help build capacity.

Since 2014, United Way has made a total of $1,069,915 in investments through the Falk Fund. Recipients must be 501(c)(3) status nonprofits primarily delivering health and human services in Allegheny County. Eligible organizations are also either United Way partner agencies or recent recipients of unrestricted funds from The Pittsburgh Foundation.

The Falk Fund is one method that United Way uses to achieve its Capacity Building investment priority, through which donor and foundation funds are leveraged to help nonprofits expand their services and meet evolving needs. Applications for the 2025 Falk Fund opened in October and closed in November 2025. With recommendations from the Falk Fund Review Committee and United Way board, funds were distributed to successful applicants in December 2025.

This year’s funded projects include security upgrades for Jeremiah’s Place, a 24-hour crisis nursery providing emergency child care to families in the Pittsburgh area. Jeremiah’s Place plans to use its $14,600 Falk Fund investment to implement a comprehensive security system with cameras, key fob access and a video intercom at its new Wilkinsburg facility.

Other Falk Fund investments include $5,960 to Literacy Pittsburgh to support the purchase of additional translation devices to serve its growing student population. A $4,245 Falk Fund investment for ARYSE will allow the Pittsburgh-based nonprofit to create a dedicated library and maker space with furniture, creative tools and equipment to support literacy and artistic programs for youth.