Posted on: March 23, 2023
The Jerseys for Warmth Charitable Action raised $61,500 to support Dollar Energy Fund and benefit local families in need of utility assistance. Our utility partners generously matched all donations dollar-for-dollar, enabling us to provide utility assistance to an estimated 170 families in our community.
Over two dozen Pittsburgh Penguins game-worn jerseys from the February 23 game, versus the Edmonton Oilers, were auctioned off online. Each jersey was a special piece of memorabilia, autographed and authenticated with a commemorative patch.
Thank you to everyone who supported the Jerseys for Warmth auction. Stay tuned for more opportunities to help your neighbors in need this year. Don’t miss out on the chance to participate in our Pittsburgh Penguins Fan Appreciation Night Raffle – happening right now! Click here to learn more and get your raffle tickets today.
Posted on: March 8, 2023
Metropolitan Utilities District and Omaha Public Power District hosted their annual Heat the Streets Run & Walk for Warmth on Saturday, March 4, in Aksarben Village. The event raised more than $138,000 and all proceeds will be used to support local utility assistance programs and help those in the greater Omaha communities with their utility bills. Each year, Heat the Streets is hosted in the cold winter months to bring attention to those who struggle to keep the lights on and heat their homes. However, utility assistance is a year-round need.
The success of this event would not have been possible without the generous support from sponsors and the community participation. This year’s event was attended by more than 900 runners and walkers–the highest turnout in Heat the Streets’ 16-year history.
Donations are still being accepted to support this cause! Visit the Heat the Streets donation page to make a contribution today. Funds are administered by Dollar Energy Fund. All money stays local and supports Metropolitan Utilities District’s Home Fund and Omaha Public Power District’s Energy Assistance Program.
Posted on: February 22, 2023
(L-R) Dollar Energy Fund CEO Chad Quinn, RMU Vice-President & Director of Athletics, First Commonwealth Bank Sr. Vice-President T.J. Reisdorf, and his son, Evan.
The Robert Morris University Department of Athletics has once again partnered with Dollar Energy Fund to host its “Points For Power” promotion, presented by First Commonwealth Bank, to assist families in the Pittsburgh region struggling to make ends meet and keep their homes warm this winter. Through the “Points For Power” program, First Commonwealth Bank donates $1.00 for every point scored by the RMU men’s and women’s basketball teams during the 2022-23 season. Each dollar donated will be matched dollar for dollar by Dollar Energy Fund’s utility partners, with 100 percent of all donations used to help local families. .
On Tuesday, February 21, 2023, Dollar Energy Fund CEO Chad Quinn was presented with a gameball and check during the men’s basketball team’s matchup with Youngstown State University. Joining Chad were Chris King, Robert Morris University Vice-President & Director of Athletics, and T.J. Reisdorf, Sr. Vice-President, First Commonwealth Bank (and his son, Evan).
So far this season, more than $7,000 has been generated through the “Points for Power” promotion. With at least a combined six more games remaining in the 2022-2023 season for the men’s and women’s teams, this promotion will continue raise funds for Dollar Energy Fund’s Hardship Program.
Posted on: February 21, 2023
Dollar Energy’s Fund’s 15th annual Warmathon on February 16, raised $162,416 during the radio-based fundraiser hosted on KDKA Radio (100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA). The effort will provide heat-related utility assistance to 450 additional households (approximately 1,362 neighbors) through Dollar Energy Fund’s Hardship Program.
All donations were matched dollar for dollar by Dollar Energy Fund’s utility partners, which includes Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Duquesne Light Company, FirstEnergy and Peoples. Marty Griffin, KDKA Radio host, led the on-air efforts and appealed to listeners, asking them to make a donation in support of the cause. The Warmathon was sponsored by First National Bank (Presenting sponsor), Bill Few Associates and Aetna Medicare Solutions (Brought to You By sponsors), TriState Office Furniture (Call Center Sponsor), Levin Furniture (Tote Board Sponsor), Aquaguard, Cedarbrook Golf Club, CentiMark, Citizens, COIT Cleaning and Restoration, LeMont Restaurant, Nest Expressions, Seneca Resources, and True Value.
Those donating $180 or more became Neighborhood Heroes and were entered into a drawing to win free utilities for a year and other prize packages. A donation at this level, when combined with the utility matching funds, provides utility assistance for a household in need.
Warmathon donors at various support levels were also eligible to receive a variety of incentives throughout the day, including gift certificates and services from event sponsors and entrance into raffles for prizes. Dozens of incentives were offered from Candelore’s Barking Beauties, Cuccaro Plumbing, Cucina Bella, Carmi Express, COIT Cleaning and Restoration, Greater Pittsburgh Tree Service, IronRock Taphouse, Levin Furniture, Matt Mertz Plumbing, Napa Prime Chophouse, Nasco Roofing Oakmont Bakery, Off the Hook, Prime Gourmet, Sarris Candies, Smallman Street Deli, Swimming Pool Discounters, Tambellini Restaurant, Treats & Beans, Tudi Mechanical, and more!
The Warmathon has raised more than $3.7 million for local, limited-income families since 2009.
Donations to support the Warmathon are still be accepted. Those wishing to contribute can do so by mailing a check to Dollar Energy Fund at Box 42329, Pittsburgh, PA 15203; or by visiting www.warmathon.com.
KDKA Radio’s Marty Griffin speaks with Dollar Energy Fund CEO Chad Quinn during the live broadcast of the 2023 Warmathon to benefit Dollar Energy Fund.
Posted on: January 27, 2023
Dollar Energy Fund raised more than $147,000 during its 9th annual Cool Down for Warmth campaign on January 26, all with the help of local business leaders, sponsors, utility partners and many generous community individuals. The amount raised will provide assistance for approximately 410 families in Western Pennsylvania who are struggling to stay warm in their homes this winter. Though the event is over, donations are still coming in! Those who wish to help local families in need may continue to donate online at www.dollarenergy.org/donate.
Dollar Energy Fund’s Cool Down for Warmth, powered by Dynegy, took place in partnership with KDKA-TV’s Pittsburgh Today Live (PTL), and provided an opportunity for the community to make a donation in support of local families. This year, Mastro Gourmet Quality Ice built an ice news desk in Gateway Center that were showcased during PTL’s live broadcast and during KDKA-TV weather segments.
Donors made contributions through Dollar Energy Fund’s website or on Givebutter, where groups like Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Public Utility Law Section utilized the crowd funding platform to raise funds towards the cause.
All donations from this event were matched dollar-for-dollar by our local utility partners and 100% will go directly to support local Western Pennsylvania families who are struggling to restore or maintain basic utility service.
Dollar Energy Fund is grateful for the overwhelming support of our generous utility partners and sponsors, including Dynegy, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Duquesne Light Company, FirstEnergy, Peoples, Citizens Bank, EQT, First Commonwealth Bank, and UPMC.
On behalf of the limited-income households we will continue to assist this year, thank you to everyone who supported our event! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more updates on future fundraisers, like our Warmathon taking place on February 16.
Posted on: November 17, 2022
After Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it’s time to kick off the charitable season by making a donation on Giving Tuesday. A donation to Dollar Energy Fund is a great way to maximize your charitable dollars. There are many ways to support your neighbors in need on Giving Tuesday, including supporting a local campaign or making a general donation. Here are some suggestions on how you can help local families maintain or restore basic utility service this holiday season:
Give Big Pittsburgh (PA)
Dollar Energy Fund will be participating in #GiveBigPittsburgh on November 29, 2022. #GiveBigPittsburgh is an online fundraising effort, hosted by Pittsburgh Magazine, and offers nonprofits the chance to raise funds to support their critical missions. Please visit our Give Big Pittsburgh profile page and make your contribution. Every donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar by our partnering Pennsylvania utility companies and 100% of all funds will be used to provide utility assistance grants to local neighbors in need.
SHARE Omaha (NE)
Be a part of hearts and hands giving to hundreds of local nonprofits across Nebraska. In partnership with Metropolitan Utilities District and Omaha Public Power District, Dollar Energy Fund is participating in SHARE Omaha for Giving Tuesday. Visit our SHARE Omaha profile page and make a contribution to help Nebraska neighbors in need. 100% of funds raised will be used to provide utility assistance to MUD and OPPD customers in need.
Make a General Giving Tuesday Donation Online
Make your contribution to Dollar Energy Fund through our secure, web-based donation portal via credit card.
Check the Box
Check the Box on your monthly utility bill. Simply check the box on your utility bill to add a donation of $1 or more. The donation is automatically added and allows you to continue to make a difference throughout the year as you make your payments. As more and more people are opting out of paper bills, we’ve made it easy for you to sign up online via our virtual Check the Box website below.
Posted on: November 14, 2022
The Winter Warm Up Request-A-Thon raised $161,580 to benefit Dollar Energy Fund and our neighbors in need, thanks to the combined effort of 3WS Pittsburgh and our supporters across the region. The amount raised will provide utility assistance to more than 449 Pittsburgh families (approx. 1,347 neighbors) during this winter.
Our sixth Winter Warm Up Request-A-Thon took place on November 9 and 10, 2022. 94.5 3WS and Dollar Energy Fund teamed up to bring the community a fun way to help families in our region stay warm. Over the course of the two-day event, 3WS listeners took over the station with their song requests. In exchange for a donation, listeners could request any song with the on-air talent Jonny Hartwell, Bonny Diver, Tall Cathy, and Mike Frazer. A variety of donation incentives were also available during the event, such as concert and game tickets, a spa package, and a new furnace!
The success of our Winter Warm Up Request-A-Thon event would not have been possible without our generous sponsors, including Citizens Bank, Ganley Toyota, 84 Lumber, North Shore Tavern, First National Bank, Metropolitan Window Company, EZ Home Exteriors, Flynn’s Tire & Auto Service, GBU Life, GetGo, and Michelob Ultra. All donations were generously matched dollar-for-dollar by our utility partners: Peoples, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Duquesne Light Company, and West Penn Power, a FirstEnergy Company. In addition, our Neighborhood Hero donation incentives were provided by Air Pro Heating & Cooling, Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland, and Re-Mixxd by Steel City Galleries. Lunch and refreshments were provided to staff and phone bank volunteers by North Shore Tavern and Walnut Grill. All of these businesses share Dollar Energy Fund’s mission for assisting the limited-income community. Many of them return to support this campaign year after year, and we thank them so much for their unwavering support.
Dollar Energy Fund also wants to extend a big THANK YOU to the staff at 3WS and iHeart Pittsburgh for rallying their listeners to support our cause.
If you missed our Winter Warm Up Request-A-Thon, you can always help a neighbor in need by visiting our website. All donations are matched dollar-for-dollar and 100% of funds go directly to assist families in need.
Posted on: November 7, 2022
According to a recent report, Pittsburgh is in the top 10 of U.S. cities with the highest average monthly utility bills. Thousands of families across our region are experiencing a financial crisis. As temperatures continue to drop, our neighbors need assistance staying warm and safe in their homes. iHeartMedia is teaming up with Dollar Energy Fund to help our local neighbors restore or maintain their utility service this winter. Our 6th annual Winter Warm Up Request-A-Thon will take place on November 9 & 10, 2022.
The concept is simple: make a donation to Dollar Energy Fund during the event, request a song, and listen to 94.5 3WS. Every effort will be made to play your song, but higher donation amounts will increase your chance of hearing your song in its entirety and enter you to win incentives.
All donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar by our utility partners, and 100% of all funds will go directly to provide utility assistance grants to our most vulnerable neighbors.
Ways to Donate
- Call 1-800-823-WARM at any time during the hours of the event (7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on November 9 & 10) and a volunteer will assist you with your donation and submitting a song request.
- Visit www.dollarenergy.org/requestathon to submit a donation and song request via our secure, online donation portal.
Become a Neighborhood Hero
A donation of $180, or $15/month for a year, will make you a Neighborhood Hero! A $180 donation becomes $360 in assistance once matched by our utility partners. This amount is equal to Dollar Energy Fund’s average winter heating season grant amount and is enough to keep the utility service on for a household in need during the winter. Your support at this level makes you eligible for specific donation incentives.
All Neighborhood Heroes will receive the following incentives: (while supplies last)
- 3WS winter hat
- Car pass to Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland at Cooper’s Lake in Butler, PA
- Two tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters at PPG Paints Arena on December 26
- “A Very Yinzer Christmas” album download card
- Entry for a chance to win one of the following packages:
- FURNACE PACKAGE: Bryant 95% High-Efficiency Furnace with installation, courtesy of Air Pro Heating & Cooling ($3,500 value with regular installation)
- CONCERT PACKAGE: Two tickets to see Blake Shelton at PPG Paints Arena on March 24, two tickets to see Ed Sheeran at Acrisure Stadium on July 8, and two tickets to see Rod Stewart with Cheap Trick at PPG Paints Arena on August 26, plus a $50 gift card for dinner at North Shore Tavern for each concert
- SPA PACKAGE: Overnight stay and spa treatment for two at Avalon’s Grant Resort in Warren, OH
- SPORTS PACKAGE: Two tickets to a Pittsburgh Penguins game, two tickets to the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns game, plus an autographed Evgeni Malkin jersey and an autographed Najee Harris jersey, courtesy of Remixxd by Steel City Galleries
Limited quantities of the Neighborhood Hero incentive packages are available, so guarantee your incentive by submitting your song request and donation now!
Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook before the Request-A-Thon begins so that you can stay up to date with rapid-fire incentives, guests and promotions throughout the two days. Listen to 94.5 3WS on November 9 & 10 for more details.
Posted on: October 3, 2022
Dollar Energy Fund’s 2022-2023 Hardship Program opens today and is now accepting applications from limited-income customers who need assistance with their gas, electric, water and wastewater utility bills. The program provides grants to households facing an immediate utility crisis and funding is applied directly to their utility account to prevent a termination or to restore their service.
Those seeking help should first contact their utility company for an eligibility screening and a referral to one of the Dollar Energy Fund’s Community-Based Organization partners to complete an application for the program. This approach connects households with additional services provided by a local nonprofit agency that may also be available to limited-income households, such as food, childcare and career assistance. A contact-less application option may be available upon request.
Eligibility is largely based on an applicant’s total household income and the amount varies by utility. In addition to meeting income guidelines, households may have needed to make a sincere effort of payment on their utility bill in the last three months and have a balance on their account. Households must first apply for available federal and state assistance if they are income eligible. Specific requirements, account balances and sincere payment amounts vary by utility company and guidelines are subject to change. Some utility companies require a customer’s service to be off or in threat of termination to receive assistance.
Full eligibility guidelines and application instructions can be found at www.dollarenergy.org/need-help.
Applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis through September 30, 2023, or until funds are depleted.
Last year, the Pittsburgh-based nonprofit helped 36,197 limited-income households across the country meet their basic utility needs through distributing hardship grants. The organization currently operates Pennsylvania’s largest hardship fund and is a national leader in utility assistance. Since 1983, Dollar Energy Fund’s hardship grants have helped more than 794,500 families across its 14-state service territory maintain or restore safe utility services.
Dollar Energy Fund is funded by public contributions that are matched dollar for dollar by partnering utility companies. Utility customers are also able to contribute a dollar or more to Dollar Energy Fund through their monthly utility bill. Direct donations can be made online at www.dollarenergy.org/donate or by sending a check to Box 42329, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. Every donation to Dollar Energy Fund’s Hardship Program is tax deductible and all funds collected from Pennsylvania donors are used to assist limited-income families residing in the Commonwealth.
Additional support from the utility companies allows for 100 percent of all donations and matching funds to be used as assistance grants to help households in need.
For more information about Dollar Energy Fund and how to apply for a grant from the Hardship Program, or to make a donation to the organization, visit www.dollarenergy.org.
Posted on: October 3, 2022
Dollar Energy Fund kicked off a new program year on October 3, 2022. Let us 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 39 years. Here are some highlights from the 2021-2022 program year (October 2021 – September 2022):
October
- Dollar Energy Fund earned its fifth consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for our commitment to financial accountability and transparency.
- Dollar Energy Fund celebrated our 30-year partnership anniversary with Pennsylvania American Water and the H2O Help to Others Program.
November
- Dollar Energy Fund hosted its annual Winter Warm Up Request-A-Thon in partnership with iHeartMedia and 3WS Pittsburgh. The event raised $150,492 to provide utility assistance to approximately 425 Pittsburgh households who were struggling to stay warm.
- Dollar Energy Fund was a sponsor and benefiting charity of Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland in Butler, PA and Johnson City, TN. Coupons were distributed to customers to receive $2 off admission and Dollar Energy Fund received a $1 donation for every coupon redeemed. In total, the Shadrack’s campaign raised $28,000 to help families across Pennsylvania and Tennessee.
- Dollar Energy Fund participated in #GiveBigPittsburgh and #ShareOmaha on Giving Tuesday.
December
- Dollar Energy Fund signed contracts with National Fuel Gas Company and Omaha Public Power District for their LIRA and CAP programs.
- The EQT Foundation connected with Dollar Energy Fund again this year to make a $10,000 donation to benefit Pennsylvanians in need.
- The Jack Buncher Foundation supported Dollar Energy Fund with a $60,000 donation to help Pennsylvanians in need.
- The Citizen’s Bank Foundation awarded Dollar Energy Fund with a $53,000 donation towards the Hardship Program and Cool Down for Warmth campaign.
January
- In January, Dollar Energy Fund raised more than $140,000 during its 8th annual Cool Down for Warmth event on Pittsburgh Today Live (KDKA-TV). The amount raised gave assistance to approximately 390 Pittsburgh families who were struggling to afford safe utility service.
February
- In February, Dollar Energy Fund’s 14th annual Warmathon on KDKA Radio raised $203,328, which provided utility assistance grants to 564 additional Pittsburgh-area households.
March
- The Robert Morris University Department of Athletics partnered with Dollar Energy Fund this season to assist families in the Pittsburgh region struggling to afford heat. The “Points for Power” program donated $1 for every point scored by the RMU men’s and women’s basketball teams. The total amount raised was $7,482.
- This year’s virtual Heat the Streets Run & Walk for Warmth in Nebraska raised $151,352 to provide utility assistance to Omaha Public Power and Metropolitan Utilities District customers in need.
April
- Dollar Energy Fund celebrated National Pet Day with a slideshow of our employees’ favorite pets.
- On April 19, 2022, Dollar Energy Fund marked its 39th anniversary of helping our neighbors in need with utility assistance. What began as a small community effort, has grown to become one of the largest hardship funds for limited-income families across the country.
- Dollar Energy Fund partnered with the Pittsburgh Penguins to host two fundraising campaigns in April – the Fan Appreciation Night Raffle and Jerseys for Warmth Charitable Auction. With your help and a generous match from our utility partners, these campaigns raised a total of $85,552 to benefit 238 local households in need of utility service.
May
- During the first week of May, Dollar Energy Fund’s management team attended CS Week in Phoenix, to connect with more utility partners outside our service territory and expand our mission of helping customers in need.
- Dollar Energy Fund participated in SHARE Omaha’s #DoGoodDays 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.
June
- Dollar Energy Fund joined a panel of fuel fund reps for a session on “Adaptations During the Pandemic” at the National Energy and Utility Assistance Coalition Annual Conference in New Orleans.
August
- In August, Dollar Energy Fund participated in the Pittsburgh Foundation’s #ONEDAY Critical Needs Alert. With a match from our utility partners, the campaign raised nearly $3,000 for local customers in need.
- Dynegy donated $20,000 in bill payment assistance to Dollar Energy Fund’s Hardship Program in Beaver and Westmoreland counties. This contribution is the largest Dollar Energy Fund has ever received from a supplier and will have a significant impact for families in our region.
September
- Dollar Energy Fund continues its partnership with Pitt Athletics by sponsoring the Pat Narduzzi Show on KDKA Radio.
- In September, we welcomed 30 foursomes at Quicksilver Golf Club for our 14th 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 $2,700 in donations.
- Dollar Energy Fund was named a Top Workplace in Pittsburgh by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for the second year in a row!
Most importantly, Dollar Energy Fund distributed 36,197 grants across the country during the 2021-2022 program year. Since 1983, we have assisted more than 794,000 households by distributing $240 million in utility assistance nationwide.
With your help, we can continue to provide immediate and direct assistance during our 2022-2023 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!
