Jessica Richards

Foundation Staff

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Jessica Richards

Director of Program Operations & Planning

Jessica Richards oversees Program Operations and Planning for the William Penn Foundation, focusing on the operational practices, resources, and planning & review cycles that support effective grantmaking. She serves as board liaison, stewarding the development of materials for quarterly board and committee meetings, and works with the Executive Director and related family offices on governance projects. Additionally, Jessica manages a portfolio of grants, representing work in civic engagement, the arts, and collaboration with peer funders.

Prior to joining the Foundation in 2015 as a Program Associate in the Creative Communities program, she served as an administrative manager and strategy consultant to a wide-ranging portfolio of small cultural organizations at CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia. Previously, she was a director, producer and Associate Artistic Director in the San Francisco Bay Area. Jessica holds a B.S. in theater and political science from the University of Evansville.