Year in Review: 2015-2016

As we kick off Dollar Energy Fund’s new program year this week, we would also like to share some highlights of the 2015-2016 program year. Our success would not be possible without the constant support from all of our partners, agencies, donors, employees, 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 work for more than 33 years. Let’s take a look back at all we’ve accomplished together this year:

• The 2nd Annual Cool Down for Warmth was held in January in downtown Pittsburgh. Dollar Energy Fund was able to raise awareness as well as more than $73,000, which was matched by our partnering utility companies for a total of $146,000.
• The 2016 NewsRadio 1020 KDKA Warmathon was held in February to benefit Dollar Energy Fund. The two-day event raised $391,408, which helped 1,135 Pittsburgh-area families maintain basic utility service.
• We hosted our 2nd Annual Dollar Energy Fund Sporting Clay Challenge in May at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort Shooting Academy.

• In June, we welcomed more than 26 foursomes and 120 total guests to the 8th Annual Dollar Energy Fund Golf Classic at Quicksilver Golf Club.
• The day after our Golf Classic, Dollar Energy Fund attended Hearth & Home Furnishing’s EggFest at Moraine State Park. We received $1,165 in proceeds from a Big Green Egg raffle, which was matched by Peoples and Peoples TWP for a total of $2,330.
• A construction project for the expansion of the Customer Contact Center was completed in September. The project included the addition of 40 new workstations in the call center and new jobs.
• In August, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announced that Dollar Energy Fund received a third consecutive honor as one of its Top Workplaces. In addition, the organization received a special award for it’s top rank in the Benefits category.
• We also expanded our services to Connecticut in August, making it the twelfth state where Dollar Energy Fund administers hardship programs. We welcomed a partnership with South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority to administer their Assistance Program.

• In September, Dollar Energy Fund hosted our 33rd Annual Luncheon at The Meadows Casino. We recognized the success of our utility partners, agencies, board members, employees, community leaders and supporters.
• This year, Dollar Energy Fund celebrated milestone years of partnership with the following utility companies:
  • West Penn Power, a FirstEnergy Company – 30 years of partnership
  • AEP Southwestern Electric Power Company (AR, LA, TX) – 5 years of partnership
  • Pennsylvania American Water – 25 years of partnership
  • Pennsylvania American Water, Wastewater Services – 5 years of partnership
• We participated in The Pittsburgh Foundation’s Recovery Day of Giving on September 21, 2016. Dollar Energy Fund raised approximately $1,100 from individual donations. We also came in 2nd place and won $1,000 for most Twitter mentions. With a match from our partnering utilities, Dollar Energy Fund raised a total of approximately $4,200 to assist families in need.
• Once again this year, Dollar Energy Fund had the opportunity to attend and present at the 2016 Pittsburgh Be Utility Wise Conference, organized by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
• During the 2015-2016 program year, Dollar Energy Fund has distributed over $9.1 million in grants to 37,286 limited-income households.
• Since 1983, Dollar Energy Fund has had the opportunity to distribute more than $134 million in grants to 484,436 households nationwide.

With your help, we can continue to provide immediate and direct assistance during our 2016-2017 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. If you would like to get involved during this program year, subscribe to our email newsletters and get the latest updates.

On behalf of the many individuals, seniors and families we’ve helped, we thank you for your support!