Overview of Strategic Priorities [Top of Page]
The Philadelphia region has many assets: diverse civic institutions; vibrant historical, cultural, and creative venues; abundant natural resources; and world class academic and health care facilities. Yet we face significant challenges in these times of dramatic shifts in the global environment and economy, accompanied by marked changes in technology, demography, and public policy. Philadelphia, too, is experiencing change. An aging and declining infrastructure, poor educational achievement, an altered labor market, and the toll of development and pollution on our watershed are pressing problems.
But these problems can be solved. We know that quality educational opportunities – from early childhood forward – promote economic and social mobility. Even as the earth’s supply of clean drinking water diminishes, watersheds, the lands surrounding our rivers and streams, possess resilience; much can be done to protect and restore them. Vibrant civic life grows as people work together to assure great public spaces, and to promote creative development and diverse cultural offerings.
The William Penn Foundation has been committed to the Philadelphia region since 1945. We understand the importance of philanthropic resources to regional successes, and we also recognize that local sources of philanthropic support have changed over time. It is more important than ever for us to allocate scarce resources for maximum impact. We plan to continue to focus on education, the environment, and cultural vitality. Specifically, we want to: close the achievement gap for low income children, protect our region’s water supply, and enhance Philadelphia’s cultural and creative assets.
We envision a city with quality education regardless of income level. We see a community which nurtures creativity and attracts employers and investment. Families choose to raise children in a place where people thrive. Integrating our priorities will contribute to realizing our vision. For example, support of public spaces that expand and extend parks, trails, and riverfronts helps residents enjoy the outdoors while inspiring environmental stewardship. Arts education in schools enriches today’s children while creating new audiences for the future. Robust early childhood and K-12 education promotes human and scientific understanding and literacy while equipping residents for meaningful civic engagement.
As the William Penn Foundation works to advance opportunity, foster creativity, and ensure sustainability, we will continue to honor our enduring values of stewardship, respect, integrity, collaboration, and accountability. Acting with transparency and renewed urgency, we want to use data effectively in our service to others as a smart resource and dedicated partner. We will report regularly on the results of our choices and the outcomes and impact of the work.
Application Process [Top of Page]
We recognize that grantwriting takes a great deal of time and effort, and do not want to burden organizations with preparing proposals that may not be competitive for funding. As a result, we generally only request full proposals from organizations after detailed discussions and review of a proposed concept. We do this so that we can gain a firm understanding of the proposed work and be confident in the alignment between a proposed project and the Foundation’s strategic priorities:
Closing the Achievement Gap,
Watershed Protection, and
Creative Communities. Please note that a request for a full proposal is not a guarantee of funding.
For organizations interested in submitting ideas to the Foundation, we offer a less time-intensive process through our general inquiry form. Before submitting an inquiry, please review our program guidelines and confirm that the proposed work aligns with the Foundation’s strategic priorities. Once an idea has been submitted, Foundation staff will review the submission and notify the organization of next steps, which could include a request for more information, a request to discuss the idea further, or notification from the Foundation that the idea is ineligible or not aligned with the Foundation's strategic priorities. Inquiries can be submitted at any time during the year, and organizations can expect an initial response within 30 days. It is not necessary to contact the Foundation to check on the status of an inquiry.
Please note that if you are applying for funding for Increasing Arts Education or Advancing Arts and Cultural Organizations, you should submit a letter of interest (LOI) – after reviewing the guidelines – using the link(s) below as step one of a two-step application process. You do not need to complete a general inquiry form before you do this.
Online Submission Instructions [Top of Page]
Upon accessing our online submission system, you will be asked to log in or, if you are a new user, create an account to begin. Once you have created an account, you will be able to access and manage all of your forms. Any forms that have not yet been submitted can be revised at any point in time. Your responses will only be viewed by the Foundation once you have clicked "Submit" at the end of the form.
Eligibility Requirements [Top of Page]
- All work must be aligned with at least one of our funding priorities (Closing the Achievement Gap, Watershed Protection, and Creative Communities) as further articulated in the guidelines for each program.
- Organizations must be classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and as public charities, under Section 509(a) of that code. Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible for funding.
- Churches and religious organizations may be eligible to receive funding for activities that are non-sectarian and benefit the larger community.
- Government agencies are not generally funded, except in certain cases where there is no suitable tax-exempt organization to carry out a program or project.
- If your organization is not classified as tax-exempt, you may not use a conduit organization.
- In addition to the specific eligibility criteria, as outlined in our program guidelines, we do not fund:
- Institutions that discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, creed, gender, or sexual orientation in policy or practice
- Scholarships and fellowships
- Sectarian religious activities, political lobbying, or legislative activities
- Direct replacement of government support
Frequently Asked Questions [Top of Page]
Please see the guidelines within our Closing the Achievement Gap, Watershed Protection, and Creative Communities pages for program-specific FAQs.
Q: How were the Foundation's priorities selected?
A: The Foundation has had a longstanding commitment to youth, the environment, and arts and culture. Recognizing that it is more important than ever for us to allocate scarce resources for maximum impact, we undertook an extensive planning process that incorporated input from our staff and board, the Haas family, and numerous thought leaders and practitioners. As a result, we have focused our programmatic investment in areas where we think we have the best opportunities to generate meaningful impact and positive change for the region.
Q: What happened to the Innovation and Transformation Funds?
A: The Foundation remains committed to the principles of programmatic innovation and organizational and business model transformation in non-profits. It has always been our intent to fully integrate these funding opportunities within our three areas of programmatic focus, and you will see that integration reflected more fully in our new guidelines.
Q: When should I fill out a general inquiry form?
A: Organizations can submit a general inquiry at any point during the year after reviewing our program guidelines. This allows organizations to submit ideas to the Foundation, and get an initial read from us without having to go through the full proposal process. We will review your inquiry within 30 days and let you know whether a) we need additional information, b) we'd like to set up a follow-up conversation to discuss the idea further, or c) the idea or organization is ineligible for funding. You can access the form here. Organizations requesting funding for Increasing Arts Education or Advancing Arts and Cultural Organizations do not need to fill out a general inquiry form. Instead, please submit a letter of interest (LOI) after reviewing the program guidelines.
Q: How will I know who my program officer is?
A: As part of the proposal review process, the Foundation will ensure that you have a primary point of contact. Once we receive your inquiry or application, we will assign an appropriate person on the program staff to follow up with you directly.
Q: What is the typical size of a grant from the Foundation?
A: The size of grants from the Foundation depends on the nature of the proposed work and the need of a particular project. Figures for the Foundation’s past grant-making can be found here.
Q: Does the Foundation require a match for grant requests?
A: Matches are not required unless specifically communicated otherwise. However, the Foundation’s focus on collaboration and fostering partnerships includes an interest in bringing multiple funders together around shared priorities. The opportunity to leverage dollars from other organizations with mutual interests is always welcome.
Q: Do we have to submit our final report before we reapply for funding?
A: Existing grantees must be current with their reporting to submit a new application. We do not require organizations to submit a final report before reapplying for funding, unless the report is already past due. If the final report is not due before your new application is submitted, you will be asked to provide a current update of the previously funded project on the new application. If you are planning to reapply for funding, please talk with your program officer before the final year of your grant to discuss the timing of your next request.
Q: I still have unanswered questions that have not been covered in these FAQs, who should I contact?
A: As a first step, please review the program guidelines and program-specific FAQs. If your questions are not be answered there, then contact us at grants@williampennfoundation.org. The staff will make every effort to respond in a timely fashion.