Industry
Workforce and Economic Development
Our Role
- Strategic Planning
- Focus Groups
- Survey Design & Administration
- Data Analysis
Situation
Fallout from the 2009 economic recession and local, state, and federal spending cuts to health and human service programs exacerbated the needs of financially struggling individuals and families in the greater Pittsburgh community and placed new populations at risk. The United Way of Allegheny County wanted to take bold steps to ensure continued efficient and effective investment in programs that addressed Allegheny County’s most critical community needs. The United Way engaged The Hill Group to assess changes in community needs brought about by the economic downturn and to develop a strategy to maximize the impact of United Way resources on financially struggling adults and families in Allegheny County.
Solution
The Hill Group identified four areas where investment of limited United Way resources would have the greatest potential impact on the community over both the short-and-long-term, while remaining consistent with the traditional values and strengths of the organization. The research also provided the basis for the United Way of Allegheny County’s new strategy for addressing the needs of financially struggling adults and families.
Programs that addressed one or more of the following core impact areas would be given funding priority:
• Assisting households to access resources and benefits
• Preventing housing-induced crises and homelessness
• Supporting individuals in securing and maintaining employment
• Promoting collaborations across the service landscape
In order to further define these impact areas and to fill critical service gaps, The Hill Group also identified three target populations for future United Way investments:
• Newly Struggling
• One-Event Away from Crisis
• Struggling Single Female Householders
Many state and federal assistance programs only become available to individuals and families once they have fallen into a state of crisis. The Hill Group study indicated that the most efficient and effective use of scarce resources was through investments in programs that avert crises all together. As a result, the primary focus of United Way funding shifted to preventing and averting crises for financially struggling adults and families in Allegheny County.
Results
- A community needs assessment which defined the needs of financially struggling adults and families and existing service gaps
- Identified four core areas where investment of limited United Way resources would have the greatest short-and-long-term community impact
- Provided analysis of various data sources, discussions with community agency leadership, and outreach to service recipients and donors
Behind the Scenes
The Hill Group utilized a comprehensive approach to understand the needs of financially struggling adults and families, define the gaps in fulfilling those needs, and identify areas in which the United Way could have the greatest impact. Our team analyzed various data sources, interviewed community agency leadership, and engaged service recipients and donors. Findings at each stage of the strategy development were vetted by an Advisory Committee of agency, donor, and United Way leadership to help ensure maximum impact of the strategy, once implemented.