Help Brian raise money

Hi! Thanks for checking out my fundraising page for the Pittsburgh Marathon Relay and Open Hand Ministries. This is my first year participating in the Marathon Relay and I’m excited to run with friends for a great cause! Open Hand Ministries works in the East End of Pittsburgh, providing financial counseling and a pathway to home ownership for families in need. Please see more about their important mission below…

Open Hand Ministries promotes justice in the East End of Pittsburgh by building a diverse community focused on financial wellness, equity creation, and home-ownership. Initially founded as a ministry of four churches, we respond to social injustice and inequality plaguing our city by providing opportunities for sustainable and affordable homeownership for families in fragile situations. We serve our community by creating community. We partner with like-hearted organizations and individuals, urban and suburban churches, community development corporations, lending agencies, expert trade skill professionals, funding organizations, and other local support agencies in order to equip our families and community for financial success and, if they choose, homeownership.

Wondering why we work to reduce Pittsburgh's Racial Wealth Gap? Curious about how we work in service of that goal? 

Our Why: We envision a future for Pittsburgh different from its past. We see a Pittsburgh region, that despite current realities, is a "most livable city" for everyone, including those who have been traditionally marginalized and shut out of the American Dream of home ownership. We envision a city that embraces community design with justice in mind that actively seeks to empower Pittsburgh's Black and Brown community to pursue financial freedom. 

Our How: We provide free financial counseling (goal setting, credit rating, debt reduction, budgeting) and money management workshops. If families choose home ownership as a goal, we help them navigate the path. We facilitate affordable home ownership by acquiring vacant properties and renovating them to superior energy/quality standards.