PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Since 1988, PCRG has worked with Pittsburgh’s major lending institutions and public agencies to develop innovative reinvestment programs targeted to Pittsburgh’s low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. PCRG’s programs focus on eradicating predatory lending in Allegheny County, revitalizing its communities, advocating for reinvestment in its neighborhoods, and researching and analyzing its banks’ practices.

National Community Stabilization Trust (NCST) Property Acquisition Program

The National Community Stabilization Trust (NCST) is a non-profit organization that works to restore vacant and abandoned properties to productive use and protect neighborhoods from blight. Participation in NCST programs facilitates the rehabilitation of vacant but structurally sound homes.

AmeriCorps VISTA

PCRG's AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) program emphasizes nonprofit organizations and local agencies at the forefront of community development practice and impact. As defined by law, the program's purpose is to strengthen efforts to eliminate poverty by encouraging people from all walks of life to engage in meaningful volunteer service.

Reimagining Communities Initiative (RCI)

The Reimagining Communities Initiative (RCI) was established in 2011 with the goal of building capacity within distressed neighborhoods. Reimagining Communities employs a catalytic and holistic community development strategy that ensures neighborhood stabilization's success and long-term sustainability.

Vacant Property Working Group (VPWG)

The Vacant Property Working Group was formed in 1995 as the convener of all community stakeholders – public and private – around blight, abandonment, and land reclamation. VPWG's goal is to enable the revitalization of all land in the Greater Pittsburgh Area. VPWG meets monthly to analyze issues and identify policy and resource opportunities for the repurposing of derelict land. VPWG approaches the issue with a systems-level view and continually improves the systems, policies, programs, and resources needed to achieve comprehensive land revitalization.

Shared Services: Financial Reporting and Bookkeeping

PCRG Shared Services Bookkeeping program provides a full suite of bookkeeping services and financial auditing for member groups, allowing them to save money and ensure compliance, and free their time and effort to focus on their community and mission. PCRG’s services can be tailored to fit individual member’s needs, some of the services we can supply are:

Provide onsite services to each client as needed to exchange financial information, review key account balances, and address outstanding issues or questions. The following services provided:

·       Accounts Payable: Enter vendor bills, print checks, and track outstanding balances.
·       Accounts Receivable: Create and/or enter invoices, post customer payments, and track outstanding balances.
·       Payroll Reconciliation: Post the entries from a payroll service.
·       Journal Entries: Post entries to the general ledger.
·       Bank Reconciliation: Reconcile bank, investment, and merchant account statements.
·       Allocation: Calculate and distribute revenues and/or expenses across reporting segments, programs, jobs or general ledger accounts.
·       Package to identified Financial Manager(s): Complete and deliver reconciled information for tax filing and/or audit.

 PCRG provides the following services to meet the needs of its clients that go beyond basic bookkeeping use:

·       Non-Profit Accounting: Accurate tracking by fund (or program) is crucial to the management of nonprofit organizations.  PCRG service can be enhanced for complex reporting requirements.
·       Job Costing: PCRG's job-costing capabilities help project-oriented businesses control costs and provide reference for bidding new work.
·       Time & Expense Tracking: Businesses that bill on a time and materials basis can turn to PCRG to automate the tracking of hours and expenses and make customer billing easy and accurate.
·       Systems integration: PCRG can integrate banking, payroll, and customer service systems, often eliminating redundant or unproductive activities.
·       Board & Management Reporting:  PCRG can design and maintain customized reports in QuickBooks or Excel to meet a client’s specific information need.

 Other features of PCRG's service include:

·       Access & Security: Secure access to accounting information via secure online portal which is backed up and stored off site.
·       Advanced Tracking: Report design expertise for clients with complex requirements
·       Design: Support provided to address new or changing requirements
·       Industry Knowledge: Extensive experience with a variety of industries including nonprofit organizations, professional services, contracting

PCRG knows how important our members work is in their communities, if you are interested in any of the services above or have questions regarding the Shared Bookkeeping Services, please feel free to reach out to Osman Jouejati our Community Organizer at ojouejati@pcrg.org or Corey Sage our CFO at csage@pcrg.org.

Community Growth fund (CGF)

Community Growth Fund is a lending and investment Fund that builds economic equality in Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia neighborhoods. CGF is committed to the success of our clients and supports them with technical assistance and innovative financial products.