Recipients:

Allegheny County ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) - $15,500

ACORN will be using their grant money to support their work in organizing voters in low-income communities, by doing voter education and registration (a goal of 31,000 by October).  They will also develop community leadership in the low-income areas, who will then conduct campaigns to educate and inform the general public of the community issues faced by low-income and elderly people in their neighborhoods.  The community leaders will also meet with their state and city officials to discuss issues.

Black Political Empowerment Project - $10,000

B-PEP will utilize funds to supplement and enhance their operational plan, allowing them to expand their voter registration, education, advocacy, and election protection work, both independently and as a participant in coalitions.  Their goal this year is to register 2,500 new voters, and they intend to track their voter registration through the county voter database.  They will survey these voters to find out what their experience was like, and their attitudes toward voting.  They will also sponsor or co-sponsor 3-5 candidate forums in time for the general election in November.

Just Harvest Education Fund - $15,500

Just Harvest will use the funds to support their “Just Vote!” Campaign, which is a non-partisan organizing campaign aimed at informing low-income people throughout Allegheny County about their stake in the electoral system, enabling them to make informed personal voting decisions, and registering and mobilizing them to vote.  Their goal is to make elected officials accountable to low-income people for the impact on their decisions on poverty-related public issues.  They will partner with at least 50 organizations, and plan to register 1,000 new voters by October.  In addition, they will contact at least 4,000 new and infrequent voters to remind them to vote.  They will compile statements and records of candidates on poverty-related issues, and publish 10,000 copies of this voters guide before the November election.

Greater Pittsburgh Student Voices - $15,500

GPSV aims to use their funds to enhance their voter outreach and education drives through more emphasis on high school registration events and a voter education-focused Civics Fair, where students will compete with peer education, service-learning, and media production projects relating to voting issues.  They intend the Civics Fair to become an annual event.  They have a network of over 100 teachers and 43 high schools, and have existing collaborations with 10 organizations and offices.

League of Young Voters Education Fund - $15,500

The League of Young Voters will utilize its funding to enhance their all-encompassing voter engagement strategy, including registration, education, mobilization, and election protection.  They will use several nationally recognized models, including “guerilla style” outreach and arts-based education models.  Their goal is to register 2,000 new voters by the general election, specifically targeting ex-offenders and current inmates.  They will also distribute 10,000 pieces of educational material and 10,000 voter guides.

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