For Immediate Release
Lisa Razza, Director of Communications
412-995-5000 x410
lrazza@achieva.info
Pittsburgh, PA (8.09.2022) - Achieva Family Trust’s Charitable Residual Account assisted 507 people during the 2021 - 2022 fiscal year (July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022) by distributing $1.5 million in grants that provide supplemental supports and services for children and adults with disabilities in need.
When people with disabilities and their families lack the financial resources to access critical special needs support, the Charitable Residual Account provides supplemental funding. This resource is utilized when all other funding sources have been exhausted (e.g., government benefits, private insurance, etc.). Eligible applicants are Pennsylvania residents with an intellectual disability, mental health disorder, or physical disability such as cerebral palsy or ALS. The Charitable Residual Program will consider a wide range of requests, from iPads, camp and recreational activities, to medical equipment and home and vehicle modifications. Grants during the past fiscal year ranged from as little as $150 to as much as $25,000.
Among the grateful recipients was Joshua McGoey, who received a motorized stroller. “Thank you so much for the mobility that this tremendous gift provides Joshua, and for the significant relief it provides us, as pushing him up these Pittsburgh hills has become increasingly more difficult in a regular stroller as Josh gets older and heavier,” said Victoria McGoey, Joshua’s mother.
Another popular request this year was for equine therapy. The Podrat/Ingraham Family has four children who benefited from the therapy thanks to the Charitable Residual Account. As a result, the siblings are more outgoing, take the initiative to help out, and have increased social interactions among their peers and at school. Their mother, Michelle Broome, is so pleased and thankful for the grant; she sees tremendous improvements in her family.
The Charitable Residual Account is made possible via the Achieva Family Trust “
Pooled Trust.” When the beneficiary of a Pooled Trust passes away, unused funds become part of the Charitable Residual Account and can be used to help other people with disabilities. Since 2005, Achieva has been able to provide more than $9,000,000 in goods and services to people with disabilities via this account. “We’re extremely proud to be able to assist so many people each year. It’s truly a blessing to see so many critical needs fulfilled,” said Amy Dolan Strano, President of Achieva Family Trust.
Requests for Achieva Family Trust’s Charitable Residual Account are accepted through an
online application process. The quarterly application deadlines are January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. Questions about the program can be directed to
Jennifer Stoyer, Community & Charitable Trust Coordinator, at 412-995-5000 Ext. 493
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A member of the Achieva Family of Organizations, the Achieva Family Trust was established in 1998 to address parents’ wishes to protect their children’s futures. Now, The Achieva Family Trust is one of Pennsylvania’s largest, most respected corporate fiduciaries for special needs trusts. Additional offerings include future planning, employment benefits counseling, and the Charitable Residual Account.
Achieva is a non-profit organization located in southwestern Pennsylvania providing lifelong supports to people with disabilities and their families. Achieva envisions a community where all people with disabilities lead lives of personal significance. Our services range from early intervention therapies, and employment supports to special needs trusts and supports in the home and community. Achieva advocates for, empowers, and supports people with disabilities and their families throughout their lives. Achieva and its group of organizations are affiliated with The Arc of Pennsylvania and The Arc of the United States.
