Our StoryIn 1995, Michelle Fanzo, a young graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh, wrote an op-ed piece for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. She voiced her concern that too many of her friends were leaving the region in search of career opportunities and more dynamic, vibrant cities. A group of young people who shared Michelle's concern started meeting in small groups throughout Pittsburgh's East End. The idea to create PUMP was born.PUMP was incorporated in 1996 to get lots of voices and opinions circulating. The following year the first Executive Director was hired to add some structure to the project so it could have a positive, wide-ranging impact on our region. PUMP became a magnet for young professionals who envisioned a city that could attract talented people and retain the ones that are here. Over the next few years, networking opportunities, informal discussions of issues, workshops and events helped identify PUMP as a dynamic catalyst for change. Momentum continued. The Pittsburgh Sports League was formed to provide young professionals a team-sport oriented outlet. PUMP joined forces with WQED to present the 40 Under 40 awards to honor talented individuals that are positively shaping the region's development. In 2001, PUMP hosted ImPAct, the first state-wide convention for young professionals that attracted 500 participants. PUMP brought young people to the table to promote and leverage their collective political voice through their civic participation forums. In 2003, Elsie Hillman was quoted as saying, "Young people that want to make their voices heard should follow PUMP's lead;" and they did! By 2004, after a merger with Pittsburgh's Next, 800 highly motivated PUMP members tackled the issues affecting their community. PUMP's programming initiatives continued to expand. The Young Nonprofit Professionals Network was formed after PUMP hosted 250 people at Up On The Roof. PUMP's Discover Pittsburgh provides a forum to connect college students and young professionals with the business, cultural, recreational, and educational communities. To celebrate its ten year anniversary, PUMP hosted a party to honor those who have supported the organization over the years. Over 300 attendees, including many local dignitaries, gathered to celebrate this milestone achievement and acknowledge the positive impact of PUMP on the Pittsburgh Region. Throughout its twelve year history PUMP has established itself as a community leader through important collaborations with projects like New Trustees for a New Pittsburgh which connects young professionals to nonprofit boards. Many of the region's foundations have invested in PUMP programming recognizing the organization's important role. Today, PUMP engages thousands throughout the region and is proud to be the premier voice for the young and young thinking. Demographic SnapshotPUMP provides opportunities and a social network for the young and young-thinking in their 20s, 30s, and 40s to create positive impact on our community and quality of life.Today, the majority of PUMP members are young professionals between 25 and 39 years of age. We are artists, architects, attorneys, bankers, business owners, designers, entrepreneurs, graduate students, musicians, photographers, political consultants, professors, and more. We are educated, nearly equally male and female, registered voters, and care about our community. Our top priorities are jobs, affordability, and entertainment. PUMP recognizes that the common thread between our young and young-thinking generations is that they seek opportunities to become involved in community-based programs to foster change. 56/44 Female/Male Ratio 97% Registered Voters 48% Registered Democrats 32% Registered Republicans 17% Independent Voters 93% Bachelor's Degree 39% Masters Degree 9% Doctoral Degree 6% Current Students 67% Singles 41% Not Originally from Pittsburgh 65% City of Pittsburgh Residents 92% Find Out About PUMP Events Via Email |
