History

In 1969, a historic partnership between business and community leaders was formed, resulting in the formation of The Philadelphia Urban Coalition.   Nicknamed ‘The Urb,’ its purpose was “to eliminate poverty, discrimination and civic unrest, and to secure human and civil rights.” Through the 1980s, alliances grew with the founding of The Urban Affairs Partnership, an organization created to improve the quality of life in the Greater Philadelphia Region.  In 1991, The Urban Affairs Partnership and the Philadelphia Urban Coalition merged to create the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition (GPUAC).

 

Mission

GPUAC unites government, business, neighborhoods, and individual initiative to improve the quality of life in the region, build wealth in urban communities, and solve emerging issues.

 

What We Do

• Strengthen the non-profit sector through excellence in service delivery, with a focus on grassroots-led organizations.

 

• Improve the life chances for youth and young adults, with a special emphasis on African American boys and men, through programs, services and advocacy.

 

• Build wealth in urban communities through workforce development, business development, and improving access to fairly priced goods and services.

 

How We Do It

Policy development:  GPUAC connects business, government, and community leaders to drive positive change in social policies, services and products affecting those who live in urban communities. This work is carried out in collaboration with business leaders, government and grassroots organizations.

Program implementation: GPUAC provides direct services to thousands of families and individuals annually through the operation of programs organized around the “GPUAC Communities.”  Our programs focus on opportunities that matter most to low-income households, working families and minority-owned businesses.

Professional services: GPUAC provides fiscal sponsorship and professional services to allow social entrepreneurs to carry out programs and projects. These services include tax-exempt status under the GPUAC umbrella, fiscal management, payroll and benefits administration, office space, communications/ marketing services, and access to GPUAC’s peer network of community leaders.

Service Area

Metropolitan Philadelphia area (Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks, Chester counties). We also provide technical assistance, upon request, to other regions and cities.

 

Budget FYE 6/07

The Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition (GPUAC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with an annual budget of $33 million.  Of this total, $3.6 million supports the “headquarters” operations, which makes it possible to leverage an additional $29.4 million in restricted program and service dollars. 

Headquarters operations include fiscal sponsorship and professional services:

• 501(c)(3) tax exempt status
• Fiscal management
• Human Resources Management
• Program Oversight
• Public relations, communications, marketing

 

Headquarters staff represents the following departments/personnel:

• President’s Office
• Fiscal Services
• Operations
• Human Resources
• Development
• Communications
• Strategic Planning
• Program Operations
• Community and Economic Development

 

Funding Sources

Government grants and contracts, corporate contributions, non-governmental grants and contracts (including foundations), and individual donations.

 

Employees

The total number of GPUAC full-time employees fluctuates due to changes in programs.  There are nearly 500 employees; of these 395 work full-time.

 

Officers

Overseeing policy is a distinguished Board of Directors comprised of 60 leaders from all segments of the community.  Officers are:

 

President/Executive Director

Sharmain Matlock-Turner

Co-chairs

Gloria M. Guard, President, People’s Emergency Center

Daniel J. Hilferty, President and CEO, Keystone Mercy Health Plan

Cecilia Moy Yep, Founder & Executive Director Emeritus, Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation

Donn G. Scott, Executive Vice President, Mid-Atlantic Banking Group, Wachovia

 

Secretary		Assistant Secretary
Brian Edmonds, Managing Principal, Concordis Key Advisors		Yvonne Morgan
Treasurer		Assistant Treasurer
Cynthia Ray, CPA		Margaret Barbee

 

Contact Information

For detail about Programs, Partners and Projects, click here