Financial data

We returned to in-person programming and developed new and deeper relationships with funders in 2021. Our revenue grew to $749,929; a 69% increase over 2020. Expenses increased by 42%, driven by our continued efforts to raise our wages in alignment with the Bayer Center Wage and Benefit Survey for Southwestern PA Nonprofit Organizations.

Restricted Gifts Remain our Biggest Revenue Source

Restricted gifts

In 2021 Assemble netted $536,698 in restricted gifts; up 58% from 2020.

We received funding to launch the Ramp Up Fellowship in 2022: $70,000 from the Remake Learning Moonshot Grant and $100,000 from the Arts Equity Reimagined Collective Action Grant.

We also received a three-year grant from the McElhattan Foundation for $75,000, distributed in $25,000 increments over three years.

For pandemic-related relief, Assemble was granted a $54,817 federal Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan in 2021 for staff time and $3,325 from the RAD’s Allegheny County Cares Funding Assistance Grant to help with Unblurred.

Unrestricted donations

In 2021 unrestricted donations totaled $131,995; up 77% from 2020. Most of the giving occurred during the year-end giving campaign when we raised $48,269. Another large portion of our unrestricted donations came from Assemble’s biannual MakerDate event, where guests bid to spend time working with local makers. In 2021, MakerDate raised $25,313 in net income.

Restricted Contracts

Restricted contract revenue increased by 14% in 2021. Major offsite program contracts included the Pittsburgh Public Schools summer program, BOOST; Northgate School District & Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3; and Winchester Thurston summer camps.

Program fees