Program to Aid Citizen Enterprise has, for nearly 50 years, worked to help bolster agencies that help struggling African-Americans and other groups in need throughout Allegheny County. Those who spearheaded the organization in 1968 saw its mission as supporting small nonprofits that could be agents of social change in disadvantaged neighborhoods. But rather than just provide money to small nonprofits that focus on improving conditions for disadvantaged individuals and communities, PACE developed its Intensive Services program to help those organizations sustain themselves by providing them with tools for business expertise. PACE awards grants to the nonprofits and then it requires staff and board members of the grantees to participate in educational cohorts where they get hands-on consulting and training in skills ranging from digital technology and marketing to leadership development.
The major philanthropic funders behind PACE include the United Way, BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania, PNC Charitable Trust and McAuley Ministries.