United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania CEO Bob Nelkin to retire in mid-2019
United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania CEO Bob Nelkin plans to step down from his post in mid-2019.
Nelkin, 70, took the helm of one of the region’s largest nonprofit grantmaking organizations in 2007, capping a 50-year career in human services.
A nationwide search is underway to find his successor, and Nelkin will assist in the new leader’s transition before departing this summer, United Way officials said in a statement.
The United Way’s 58-member volunteer board has retained the services of Boston-based Isaacson Miller search firm and authorized a search committee to find and vet candidates. Board Chair Karen Larrimer, head of retail banking and chief customer officer at PNC Financial Services Group, will lead the committee.
“We have been so fortunate to have someone like Bob (Nelkin), whose transformational leadership has brought about effective community impact programs to help people who are struggling,” Larrimer said in a statement. “We will seek a new leader who will continue to advance these vital efforts.”
During his 11-year tenure as chief executive, Nelkin touted steady year-over-year growth in fundraising, unveiled a long-term vision for improving the lives of the region’s children and oversaw two significant mergers, resulting in the incorporation of the United Ways of Westmoreland and Butler counties into the broader organization.
Nelkin made $252,251 in annual compensation in 2016, including retirement benefits, the latest available IRS records show.
Previously, Bob had served as director of human services for Allegheny County and director of policy initiatives at the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Child Development.
The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania now serves Allegheny, Butler, Westmoreland, Fayette and southern Armstrong counties.
The nonprofit raises about $35 million to $37 million annually and has about $31 million in net assets, IRS records show.
The United Way garners a significant sum of donations via payroll deductions, with more than 700 employers participating in Allegheny County alone.
United Way officials say that 88 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to grants and programs, with less than 12 percent spent on administration.
Last year, the organization says it received more than 50,000 donations and reached more than 400,000 individuals, including families, children, seniors, people with disabilities and disaster victims.
In addition to grantmaking and leadership training, United Way programs span efforts such as the PA 2-1-1 Southwest hotline, which helps with need such as utility assistance and emergency food and shelter; the Coaching Boys Into Men initiative, which focuses on teaching young athletes about how to be respectful and prevent sexual violence; and the Be There and Be a Middle School Mentor programs aimed at supporting youths and reducing chronic absenteeism in schools.
Collectively, United Way Worldwide raises about $5 billion annually.
RELATED: United Way celebrates 2017 successes in Southwestern Pennsylvania
Natasha Lindstrom is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Natasha at 412-380-8514, nlindstrom@tribweb.com or via Twitter @NewsNatasha.
