Relocating an Office…and Supplies to Those in Need
With every move comes the discussion of what to pack. When the Foundation began the process of moving to a new office, staff decided to pack for the organization and for the community.
“We work closely with so many nonprofits in our area to offer them more than money,” said Foundation Vice President for Philanthropic Resources Kelly Uranker. “Often in these organizations, hard assets such as chairs, desks and office supplies are low on priority lists compared to their direct services. Going through an office relocation, we had many assets in great condition that a variety of nonprofits that we work with directly and in the field were interested in receiving.”
As the Foundation began the move from 5 PPG Place to 912 Fort Duquesne Boulevard, so too did the donation process. The result: Forty nonprofit organizations received 1,000 items ranging from appliances and art to office furniture like desks and chairs along with more than $7,000 worth of office supplies.
For example, agencies like Blessing Board received furniture they could pass on to those in need and The Education Partnership restocked their supplies to support area teachers, while Global Links and several county libraries received replacement chairs for their staffs and community members.
JLL, the real estate services firm that advised the Foundation on its move, sometimes witnesses organizations discard high quality materials instead of repurposing them.
“I think everything was repurposed in the Foundation’s move from PPG Plaza to the new office,” said Senior Vice President, Projects and Market Lead and the new office project manager Nick Anthony. “I believe that is both due to the relationships and grassroots connections that [The Pittsburgh Foundation] has with their community and the favorable amount of time that the project allowed the team to identify those in need.
“We always suggest opportunities for donating items to local nonprofits or schools as the primary focus. This has been the historical best practice of our project management team to avoid waste and support those in need or with better use. I will say that I've never seen the success of the donation on the level of The Pittsburgh Foundation's recent relocation.”
Making a difference in the quality of life for so many has had an impact on many Foundation staff members, including one of the project leads, Administrative Support Assistant to the Executive Office Whitney Falba, who managed outreach and logistics throughout the process.
“As I worked with the multitude of organizations we reached out to, I was happy to see that we could further our mission in such a unique way,” she said. “Not only did we make an environmentally friendly decision by keeping these items out of landfills, we also helped nonprofits around the area in furthering their own missions. A lot of organizations in our greater Pittsburgh community operate on very slim margins. One office chair might make enough of a difference that a library can start holding regular story times, since now the reader can sit up high enough that everyone can see. One filing cabinet means a small nonprofit can securely organize their important documents. To me, that's very in line with our vision: to make Pittsburgh a region where everyone can thrive.”
Here's what we heard from nonprofits:
Allegheny County Library Association:
“You have no idea how much these supplies mean to us. Everyone remembers Carnegie Library, but they forget that Carnegie Library is part of the ACLA. We don’t tend to get money, and donors don’t get excited at the prospect of their money buying office supplies. I haven’t told the libraries [the office supplies] are coming yet, because I want it to be a surprise. This is a windfall, you have no idea.”
“Thank you SO much, these items will fill the homes of so many neighbors in need! We really appreciate you all.”
“We have to open a new location because of regulations – we have no furniture to put there. This is truly a blessing.”
“These are going to help so many people. We drivers go all over where we can drive – used to do Europe, too, but it got too pricey. Every single piece goes somewhere. To [a clinic] who doesn’t have anything, and it helps them help other people. Some of these are going to South America, some of them are going to more local places. But all of them go to people who can use them.”
“We’re opening a new space, and we have no furniture for it. This helps us focus on other things.”
Carnegie Library of Homestead:
“We had just put in an order for a chair, as someone gave us a donation. (I’m trying to cancel it now.) That money can go onto other pressing needs now, thanks to you. We really appreciate it.”
Cooper-Siegel Community Library and Sharpsburg Community Library:
“As one nonprofit to another, you can understand the struggle to earmark money for certain things and five of our office chairs have been in sad shape for some time. We spend a lot of time sitting and getting up and down as we help patrons at our public services desks and having a good chair means happier backs and happier staff! We really appreciate your generosity!”
“We love supporting students and teachers in the classroom and thank you for partnering with us for that mission. Your gift directly helps local students and teachers!”
“You have no idea how much in demand furniture or appliances are right now. We had a Day of Blessing – we have one tomorrow, too – they completely cleaned out our warehouse last week. We’re one of the only organizations locally that will offer appliances, and I can guarantee you that as soon as these are catalogued, they’ll be claimed. Last year, we furnished over 1,400 homes. Organizations like yours who give us a lot at once – it’s such a relief to have stuff on hand and ready. You’ve made a huge difference in your neighbors’ lives.”
St. Vincent de Paul Council of Pittsburgh:
“There’s so much demand right now. We try to serve as many requests as we get, but sometimes we just don’t have enough or the capacity to fix up what we’re given. What you’re giving us is so nice. Sometimes people donate but they forget that what they give is going to other people just like them. You’ve sent your best, and we’re thankful for it.”
“Our little STEM program has outgrown the one cabinet we have, and we want to keep little hands from getting into things they shouldn’t, like batteries. This will help us expand our education program and reach more kids.”
Catholic Charities Diocese of Pittsburgh:
“These ottomans will allow us to keep training materials onsite at our different locations. No more having volunteers and employees cart them around themselves. It really makes a difference in our lives and for our mission.”
“Our volunteers have been having to use the patron chairs to help patrons. Patrons don’t have anywhere to sit then, when volunteers are helping them. We really haven’t had the money to get a new chair since last year. This is going to be a huge help. Thank you!”
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