City Cast Pittsburgh logo
September 25, 2023

What Broke the Pittsburgh Promise?

City Cast Pittsburgh

What Broke the Pittsburgh Promise?

00:00:00
View all City Cast Pittsburgh episodes

In 2008, the city and its foundations made a promise to all Pittsburgh kids – if you attend class and get decent grades, we’ll help you pay for college or trade school. But last week, the officials behind those gifts told parents in a one-page letter that the money is almost out. We’re talking about why with journalist Mary Niederberger and James Fogarty, executive director of A+ Schools.

For more background on the Pittsburgh Promise’s results and past fundraising efforts, check out Mary’s previous reporting for PublicSource.

Want some more Pittsburgh news? 


Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Pittsburgh

Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
July 3

'Your City Could Be Better': The Ultimate USA Trivia Battle. How Much Do You Know? — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh

See if your Pittsburgh knowledge serves you well! In the first-ever Your City Could Be Better trivia episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz g...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
July 2

Can You Swim in Pittsburgh's Rivers? Plus, Teens in Public & Train Tours

If the hot weather has you considering a dip in the Allegheny, Mon, or Ohio, take heed! City Cast contributor Meg St-Esprit joins host Me...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
July 1

Your Guide to July 2026 in Pittsburgh

There's a heatwave, but there's also no shortage of things to do in Pittsburgh! City Cast's Megan Harris, Sophia Lo, and Francesca Dabecc...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
June 30

Is AI Pittsburgh's Next Labor Fight?

Ever wonder how exactly our city employees are using AI…and whether there are safeguards in place to make sure these tools are being used...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
June 29

Can Pittsburgh Hold Onto Tech Startups? Plus, Household Robots and Data Centers

Pittsburgh is getting ready to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, and we’re partnering with Public Source and Technical.ly to explore...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
June 28

'Your City Could Be Better': How Denver Is Fixing Its Sidewalks — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh

Just how good are the sidewalks in Pittsburgh? The state of a city’s sidewalks can be a good indicator of how healthy that city is — and...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
June 26

Pgh's Next Epidemic? Plus, Trash Talk & Playoff 'Passion'

Pennsylvania's state Supreme Court ruled that skill games — like those poker machines you see at gas stations — are effectively the same...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
June 25

Pittsburgh's Fireworks Boom

Pittsburgh's going all out for America250! We've got a Ferris Wheel on the North Side, a free Nelly and Third Eye Blind concert, and of c...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
June 24

Bike Pittsburgh's Best Kept Secrets

Tired of sitting in traffic? Try biking instead! But if you need a pep talk to get on the road with all those cars, we're here to help. W...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
June 23

ICE Drops PA Warehouse Plans. Plus, Sliding Bridge & Century III's Future

Earlier this year,ICE  bought two warehouses in Pennsylvania with plans to convert them into immigrant detention centers. Now they're loo...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art