Representative Clients
Capital Access is a technical assistance provider for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD’s Distressed Cities and Persistent Poverty Technical Assistance (DCTA) program is designed to build the administrative capacity of units of general local government that are struggling with fiscal distress, economic decline, and/or persistent poverty.
Canton, MS is a small distressed city north of Jackson. As the subject matter expert for a HUD technical assistance provider, Pelham led the team that assessed Canton’s needs, developed a work plan that focused on the City’s internal structure and financial policies, and developed new financial policies and procedures for the City’s consideration.
The Ardmore Initiative is a Business Improvement District located in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania. Pelham Advisors was engaged to work with the Board, stakeholders, and the Township in developing a strategic plan, including new mission, vision, and values. The engagement included focus groups, survey deployment, and one-on-one interviews resulting in a new 5-year plan. Pelham also supported the organization through a leadership transition, leading a successful search for a new Executive Director.
Farrell, PA is a small, distressed city in western Pennsylvania. As the subject matter expert for a HUD technical assistance provider, Pelham led the team that assessed Farrell’s needs and developed a work plan that focused on the City’s budget and finance processes and management of publicly owned land.
SEPTA, the Southeast Pennsylvania Public Transportation Authority, engaged Pelham to assist in the hiring of a 3rd party safety expert. The Federal Transit Authority issued its Final Report related to its Safety Management Inspection of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). The Report found that over the past five years SEPTA’s safety record has deteriorated and issued 16 total findings and 24 required actions in three categories for SEPTA’s attention. SEPTA’s Board of Directors engaged a public transportation consultant to aid its review of Management’s actions.
Pelham provided local support for the selected subject matter expert to engage management and advise on communications with SEPTA staff, the SEPTA Board, and to review documents produced. Pelham also provided its observations on SEPTA’s culture and potential action items for the Board to consider.
Concilio, Philadelphia’s oldest Latino-serving social services agency, acquired a Community Umbrella Agency (child welfare program) in August 2023, which more than tripled the size of its current staff and organizational budget. Pelham Advisors conducted an immediate needs assessment of staffing and operational needs; developed a transition plan for this new acquisition, worked with the Executive Team on a refined organizational structure based on the assessment; worked with staff and board members on defining and cultivating a healthy organizational culture (which included a staff-wide employee satisfaction survey); and conducted an Executive Team day-long retreat to lay the foundation for developing a new strategic plan.
Ohio City Incorporated is a community development corporation in Cleveland, Ohio. Pelham Advisors was engaged to develop a strategic plan, including a new mission, vision, and values statement. The engagement included multiple focus groups, community meetings, survey deployment, and one-on-one interviews resulting in a new 5-year plan.
Truckee, CA engaged Civic Centered Design and Pelham Advisors to develop a funding plan for public art. Pelham’s role in the engagement was to develop financial models based on various funding mechanisms.
Our Mother of Consolation Parish School is a Catholic school northwest Philadelphia that suffered a devastating fire. Pelham Advisors assisted the school and parish in rebuilding the school, convening a committee of stakeholders, overseeing the budget, and representing the church with the design team and construction company. The school was completed in spring 2025 and will reopen in September 2025.