Letter to the editor: Pittsburgh foundations address covid-19 crisis

It’s encouraging to see our region’s largest grant-making foundations joining forces and shifting funding priorities to address the catastrophic issues being faced by hundreds of thousands of people in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic.

It’s our hope as we recover and revive our economy and workforce that our foundations remain focused on assisting those who may face many months of unemployment and financial uncertainty, and allow our job creators to move forward in putting their employees back to work and creating new opportunities — regardless of industry.

This pandemic has been devastating, a generational catastrophe — especially for those who have contracted the virus or lost loved ones. As we have banded together to fight this “enemy,” so should we work cooperatively to use every opportunity to rebuild our economy.

By creating and protecting good-paying middle-class careers we do much to address issues such as suitable housing, health care, and educational opportunities organically.

The Pittsburgh Foundation, Richard King Mellon and Hillman Family foundations, the Heinz Endowments and others deserve thanks for undertaking this critical work and fulfilling the true purpose and meaning of social service — not social engineering.

Jeff Nobers

Green Tree

The writer is executive director of Pittsburgh Works Together.