Our Model

Why PULSE?

SERVE

NONPROFIT PARTNERSHIP – Invite talented, university graduates and other young professionals to partner with nonprofits for a year of service and leadership

LIVE

COMMUNITY LIVING – Cultivate community by having participants live together and share meals, household tasks, finances and learning experiences.

GROW

TRAINING/DEVELOPMENT – Train and equip participants to become servant leaders in Pittsburgh by providing regular, personal and professional development opportunities.

Learn More

Since 1994, PULSE has been helping increase the capacity of local nonprofits by connecting people with passion to organizations with purpose.

We have a three-pronged model for accomplishing this purpose:

  • SERVE – NONPROFIT PARTNERSHIP – Invite talented, university graduates to partner with nonprofits for a year of service and leadership
  • LIVE – COMMUNITY LIVING – Cultivate community by having participants live together and share meals, household tasks, finances and learning experiences.
  • GROW – TRAINING/DEVELOPMENT – Train and equip participants to become servant leaders in Pittsburgh by providing regular, personal and professional development opportunities.

This is the model of PULSE. Although the vast majority of participants do not come from Pittsburgh (90%), over 70% stay in Pittsburgh after they complete the program. About 60 alumni still live in the city, half within a one mile radius of the PULSE houses, continuing to build and invest in the East Liberty, Garfield, Perry Hilltop, and Highland Park neighborhoods. Throughout PULSE’s time serving Pittsburgh, over 375 PULSE participants have contributed some 550,000 hours of service to close to 200 Pittsburgh nonprofit organizations. Learn about Alaa’s experience as a PULSE fellow in PULSE.