AmeriCorps VISTA provides more than 7,000 opportunities for dedicated individuals, regardless of their age or background, to address the root causes of poverty through a year of dedicated service. Each year, PCRG manages the placement of a cohort of VISTA members with nonprofit organizations in the Pittsburgh region to support their operations toward creating sustainable change in under resourced neighborhoods. PCRG members and partners are eligible to apply to host a VISTA, although members will be prioritized for placements. PCRG VISTAs build organizational capacity for their host sites through activities such as fundraising, grant writing, research, volunteer recruitment, and systems development. PCRG puts out a request for proposals around the beginning of each calendar year for local nonprofits to submit ideas for capacity-building projects. 

PCRG has hosted 125 AmeriCorps VISTA and PCRG fellows in community development roles for PCRG members, retaining 70% in community development. 25% pursuing graduate programs, 71% being minority or women.

Grow America is a national nonprofit that finances and supports affordable housing, small businesses, and community infrastructure, drives economic development in underserved areas. Grow America has invested $1.26B to create 16,700 affordable housing units, financed $2.6B in community development projects, and provided $675M in loans to over 5,000 small businesses. Since x year, Grow America has provided training to more than 85,000 professionals in community and economic development nationwide. Through PCRG and the URA, two of these trainings are available to the Greater Pittsburgh Region, teaching technical skills in finance and housing development: 

• Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP): EDFP teaches skills for successful economic development, including business credit, real estate finance analysis, loan packaging, negotiation, and deal structuring. 

• Housing Development Finance Professional (RHDFP): RHDFP allows participants to learn how to finance and develop affordable housing projects, covering single and multi-family housing. 

Scholarships and discounts for these opportunities are available to PCRG members. 

In 2025, PCRG and the Urban Redevelopment Authority developed a partnership with Grow America to provide two Grow America Certification programs. These certifications aim to equip professionals in the Community and Economic Development fields with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive positive change and support sustainable community growth.

PCRG is a partner of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, or NCRC – a network of organizations and individuals dedicated to creating a nation that not only promises but delivers opportunities for all Americans to build wealth and live well.  As a member of NCRC, PCRG connects you to over 700 community-based organizations nationwide.

NCRC collaborates with community leaders, policymakers, and institutions to advance solutions and build the will to solve America’s persistent racial and socio-economic wealth, income, and opportunity divides, and to make a Just Economy a national priority and a local reality. NCRC also organizes an annual national conference for education as well as networking purposes.  

• As a member of NCRC, PCRG connects you to over 700 community-based organizations nationwide. 

• PCRG provides scholarships to conferences, trainings, and webinars, including the NCRC Conference. 

• PCRG's media platforms feature members' work, spreading their stories and accomplishments.