Year in Review: 2019-2020

Dollar Energy Fund kicked off a new program year on October 1, 2020. Let’s take a moment to remember the accomplishments we shared together this past year. Our success would not be possible without the constant support from all of our partners, agencies, donors, staff, board members, community leaders, businesses and more. By sharing Dollar Energy Fund’s dedication and passion for helping your neighbors in need, you have allowed us to continue our essential work for more than 37 years. Here are some highlights from the 2019-2020 program year (October 2019 – September 2020):

October

• Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania and Dollar Energy Fund teamed up to host our second Topgolf Fundraiser. The event raised $14,770, including a dollar-for-dollar match by Columbia, to benefit customers in need. This amount provided much-needed heating assistance to approximately 50 households.
• Our director of programs, Mary Sally, discussed the Hardship Program and our partnership with Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority at the Pittsburgh #BeUtilityWise conference in October.

November

• Dollar Energy Fund hosted its 3rd annual Winter Warm Up Request-A-Thon at iHeartMedia studios and broadcasted on 3WS Pittsburgh. The event raised $109,869 to provide utility assistance to approximately 915 Pittsburgh neighbors who were struggling to stay warm.
• Dollar Energy Fund was the presenting sponsor and benefiting charity of Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland for the third year in a row. Shadrack’s made a generous donation of $20,000 to Dollar Energy Fund. Through a partnership with Chick-fil-A, coupons were distributed to customers to receive $2 off admission. Dollar Energy Fund received $1 donation for every coupon redeemed.
• Dollar Energy Fund participated in #GiveBigPittsburgh, an online giving day hosted by the Pittsburgh Magazine on Giving Tuesday. With your generosity and a match from our utility partners, we raised $3,400 for Pittsburgh families in need.

January

• In January, Dollar Energy Fund raised more than $315,000 during its 6th annual Cool Down for Warmth event in Market Square. The amount raised gave assistance to approximately 877 Pittsburgh families and individuals who were struggling to afford safe utility service.
• During Cool Down for Warmth, we hosted our 4th annual Bowls for Warmth Soup Tasting, presented by BNY Mellon. Twenty local restaurants showed up to support Dollar Energy Fund and serve cups of soup to the lunchtime crowd. Bowls for Warmth raised an additional $25,000 in two days, including a match from our utility partners.

February

• In February, Dollar Energy Fund’s 12th annual Warmathon on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA raised $170,000, which provided utility assistance grants to 475 Pittsburgh-area households.

March

• At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dollar Energy Fund took steps to ensure our Hardship Program continues. We adjusted quickly to limited staff resources and remote workforce arrangements. We also initiated measures to ensure the continuity of the other services we provide, including enrollments in Customer Assistance Programs.

May

• In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, utility companies are committed to working with consumers who are struggling to afford basic utility service. Dollar Energy Fund started contracts with two new utility partners – Omaha Public Power District and Metropolitan Utilities District in Nebraska. These new partnerships expanded our service territory to 14 states.
• Dollar Energy Fund participated in The Pittsburgh Foundation’s #GiveBigPittsburgh COVID-19 Response online giving campaign on May 5, 2020. With a match from our generous utility partners, we raised $4,600 for local families.
• Peoples Natural Gas teamed up with Dollar Energy Fund for a Facebook #HelpYourNeighbor Livathon to raise funds to provide critical utility assistance for our neighbors struggling during the pandemic. With a match from Peoples, the virtual event raised $2,170 for customers in need.
• Dollar Energy Fund participated in the Omaha Gives campaign to provide critical relief to Nebraska families in need through Omaha Public Power District’s Energy Assistance Program and Metropolitan Utilities District’s Home Fund.

August

• Dollar Energy Fund earned its fourth consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charitable organizations. This is the highest possible rating and shows our commitment to financial accountability and transparency.
• Dollar Energy Fund participated in the #ONEDAY Critical Needs Alert on August 19, 2020.
• Through its Coronavirus Aid Relief Fund allocation under the CARES Act, the State of Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and Douglas County have allocated a portion of those funds to provide utility assistance to customers of Metropolitan Utilities District and Omaha Public Power District who are struggling to afford their bills as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dollar Energy Fund is currently administering these funds.

September

• In September, we welcomed 14 foursomes at Quicksilver Golf Club for our 12th annual Golf Classic. This event is a fan favorite, featuring 18-holes of golf, our famous Bloody Mary Bar, a delicious lunch and more. The online silent auction raised over $1,400 in donations.
• Most importantly, Dollar Energy Fund distributed 27,215 grants, totaling more than $8.78 million across the country during the 2019-2020 program year.
• Since 1983, we have assisted more than 593,000 households by distributing $165 million in utility assistance nationwide.

With your help, we can continue to provide immediate and direct assistance during our 2020-2021 program year. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, can make an extraordinary impact by ensuring local, limited-income families maintain or restore safe utility service and get on a path to self-sufficiency. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation before the end of the calendar year. If you would like to get involved during this program year, follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on our winter fundraising campaigns. On behalf of the many individuals, seniors and families we help, thank you for your continued support!