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The Alliance for Access and Assets*

Building Financial Power Together

*formerly known as the Pittsburgh Coalition on the Intersection of Disability, Race, Ethnicity and Poverty

Mission statement: 

To work toward economic stability and security for people of color with disabilities by connecting people, organizations and resources. 

About the Alliance

The Alliance for Access and Assets: Building Financial Power Together hosts quarterly meetings where we bring people together to learn and connect with a goal of increasing the financial security of people of color with disabilities. 

This work began in 2022 when the National Disability Institute (NDI) convened organizations in the Pittsburgh region for a Financial Inclusion Roundtable to identify and begin addressing barriers to financial stability and security that contribute to the significant wealth gap faced by people of color with disabilities. Building on the momentum of the Roundtable, United Way, in partnership with Neighborhood Allies and NDI and financial support from JP Morgan Chase, lead the effort to establish the Pittsburgh Coalition on the Intersection of Disability, Race, Ethnicity and Poverty. The group convened virtual, monthly meetings with participation from over 100 local leaders working in disability justice, racial justice, and financial empowerment. 

In 2024, United Way assumed leadership of the Coalition. Based on feedback from members, the group was renamed the Alliance for Access and Assets: Building Financial Power Together, the steering committee was expanded and the meeting structure was changed from monthly, virtual meetings to quarterly, in-person meetings. Meetings include panel discussions and/or speakers, small group discussions and networking with a goal of identifying and eliminating barriers to financial security faced by individuals of color with a disability. Anyone is welcome to join these meetings. 

Join the Alliance

The Alliance hosts quarterly meetings and shares resources and updates via email between meetings. To be added to our mailing list and receive meeting invitations and email communication, sign up below. If you have questions or would like additional information, please email allian[email protected]. 

Join Now

Download the Pittsburgh Equity Ally Badge

ndi Pittsburgh Equity Ally logo

Alliance members can use this badge on their organizational materials, including social media graphics, newsletters, blog posts, PowerPoint presentations and website pages (or site footers).For additional guidance, read these instructions.

Download White Badge Download Color Badge

Listening Session Research Report

FINANCIAL HEALTH: Living at the Intersection of Disability, Race and Poverty

On March 1, 2023, National Disability Institute (NDI) conducted listening sessions with Pittsburgh residents with disabilities and local providers serving persons with disabilities. The listening sessions discussed the financial inclusion needs and associated challenges faced by individuals living with disabilities and those at the intersection of race/ethnicity, poverty and disability. The sessions were convened by the Pittsburgh Coalition on the Intersection of Disability Race, Ethnicity and Poverty, in partnership with JPMorgan Chase. This report details qualitative insights and findings for the research exercises conducted.

Read Full Report Read Report Highlights

Pittsburgh Regional Roundtable

Addressing Financial Stability Challenges at the Intersection of Race, Ethnicity, Poverty and Disability – Feb. 23-24, 2022

The goal of the Roundtable held on Feb. 23-24, 2022 was twofold: (1) to bring together community nonprofits and other organizations working on economic and racial equity, with disability and financial inclusion partners in the Pittsburgh area and (2) to identify and begin work on action plans and concrete steps those organizations could jointly take to address some of the barriers to financial stability and financial resilience that contribute to the significant wealth gap faced by people of color with disabilities. 

Read Summary Brief

The Alliance for Access and Assets was originally established with the generous support of National Disability Institute and JPMorgan Chase. Work continues with support of FISA Foundation.