A Message from Vibrant Board Chair, Cat McLaughlin
Recently, Vibrant has shared a bit about this year’s impact – the 400+ employees trained, the 260+ professionals welcomed to Jobsburgh, the organizations we’ve helped become more inclusive.
I’m Cat McLaughline and, as Vibrant Pittsburgh’s Board Chair. I’ve watched this organization do remarkable work for years. I’ve also watched the funding landscape change dramatically. I wanted to share why this funding campaign matters so much to me personally.
Here’s what keeps me up at night: Organizations that rely on a handful of large funders are vulnerable. When one funder doesn’t renew or shifts priorities, the impact can be devastating.
Here’s what gives me hope: Organizations supported by many people – even with modest gifts – are more resilient, more responsive, and more sustainable.
For the first time in 15 years, we’re asking employees of member organizations to give. Because we’re building a more sustainable funding model – one where we’re supported by many people who know our work, not just a few large funders.
Here’s why this matters:
Vibrant Pittsburgh has reached more people, trained more teams, and built more partnerships this year than ever before.
But we didn’t do it alone.
It’s the combined energy of dozens of organizations, hundreds of participants, and the support of people who believe this work matters – people like you – that multiply small acts into meaningful regional change.
- Leaders feel more empowered to build inclusive teams.
- Teams feel more supported to do their best work.
- Communities feel more connected across difference.
Your $25, $50, or $100 helps sustain this. Not in some vague way. In a very real way! It gives us financial flexibility to say yes when organizations need help, to pilot new approaches, to respond to our region’s needs.
Not funding one specific program. Supporting the whole ecosystem that makes these stories possible; the training, the connections, the consultations, the community-building work that helps Pittsburgh’s employers and employees thrive.
The next wave of impact is waiting – more training, more connections, more support for organizations trying to build genuinely inclusive workplaces and vibrant communities.
Will you add your hand?
Thanks for being part of this,
Cat McLaughlin
Board Chair, Vibrant Pittsburgh
P.S. If your employer matches gifts, check your HR portal or use Charity Navigator’s employee match search tool powered by Double the Donation to find out! Many of our member organizations do, which doubles your impact.