In Memory of Linda LeFever

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Linda LeFever. Linda passed away Monday, Sept. 4 after a short and difficult, struggle with cancer. Linda started as Executive Director at the inception of the Fund in 2000. She made a lasting impact on the Northside.

Linda hailed from a small town in upstate New York and began her community development career in Rochester. In 1986, the Northside Civic Development Council recruited her and she moved to Pittsburgh with her husband Steve and two children, Jesse and Josh. While at Civic, she converted several large blighted commercial structures into revitalized parts of the neighborhood. These projects included The Brewery Innovation Center, the Valley House, The Breadworks and One Perry Place.

She left Civic in 1988 and worked in various roles in community development throughout Southwestern PA. In 2000 she was hired by the Northside Leadership Conference to create a community-based financial organization. She became the founding Executive Director of the Northside Community Development Fund.

Linda led the Fund until July 2006, when her illness required her to take a leave of absence. Linda's creativity and community development background was a driving power behind the Northside Fund's success.

In six years, the Fund secured more than $8.6 million to help Northside businesses and key community services. Linda had exceptional relationships with most of the area banks and developed relationships with government and foundation officials to assist in securing jobs to the low income residents of the Northside.

Under Linda, the Northside Community Development Fund became the smallest organization in the United Sates to receive a coveted New Markets Tax Credits allocation. Linda's impact on the Northside will never be forgotten.

Memorial Donations may be made to one of the following organizations in Linda's honor:

Reading is FUNdamental Pittsburgh 10 Children's Way Suite 300 Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412.321.8022

Forbes Hospice Forbes Health Foundation 115 South Neville Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412.325.7200

The Fund will continue to assist those who need our help the most. As the Fund works through this loss, we ask your patience. Mark Masterson has been named Interim Executive Director. All questions and requests for information should be directed to him. The Board of Directors has started a national search for an Executive Director.