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The latest news, perspectives, and updates from around the Foundation.

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William Penn portrait by Francis Place, Historical Society of Pennsylvania Treasures collection [1957.8], Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

William Penn – City Planner for Democracy

How his original blueprint for the city of Philadelphia became a blueprint for our democratic society As we approach the 250 th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence it is appropriate to reflect on the special role that...

No King protest in Philadelphia

Public Space & Democracy in the Digital Age

Why the digital town square is no replacement for physical space This essay is part of a series studying the long, enduring, and essential relationship between public space and democracy. This essay will explore the continued importance and centrality of...

No Kings protest

Public Space Is the Infrastructure of Democracy. It’s Time to Protect Our Right to Gather.

As the country prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, now is an opportune time to reflect on the constitutional rights guaranteed to us as a free nation of self-governing citizens — a people ruled by...

Dance performance

Awarded Grants | February 2026

Grants Announcement

The Foundation is pleased to announce it recently awarded 106 grants totaling $47.6 million across its grantmaking programs, supporting efforts to expand access to resources and opportunities that promote a more vital and just city and region for all...

William Penn Foundation Announces $7.6 Million in Grants to Support Access to Six of Philadelphia’s Educational and Cultural Institutions

PHILADELPHIA, March 3, 2026 — The William Penn Foundation announced $7.6 million in new grants to support access to the educational and cultural institutions in Philadelphia that are most visited by families and individuals with low incomes and/or...

Annual Letter 2026

This year, attention from across the country and around the globe will turn to Philadelphia, the city where the great American experiment began. There is much to celebrate in 2026, and with that comes the opportunity to shape what this historic moment...

Philly rally

The Decline of the Public Forum and the Risks to Democracy

February 17, 2026

The legal framework for assembly and public speech is not absolute, but communities can take action.

Illegal Dumping in Philadelphia: Progress, Prevention, and What Comes Next

February 3, 2026

A conversation on illegal dumping in Philadelphia – exploring how illegal dumping has evolved in the city, what current data tells us, and how prevention efforts fit alongside cleanup strategies

library

Grounds for Expression: Public Space, Participation & Democracy

January 21, 2026

A reflection on the long and enduring relationship between public space and democracy in the year of America’s Semiquincentennial.

Four adults walking on the Circuit Trails in autumn

Awarded Grants | November 2025

Grants Announcement

November 12, 2025

The Foundation is pleased to announce it recently awarded 101 grants totaling $45 million in its five grantmaking programs, supporting efforts to expand access to resources and opportunities that promote a more vital and just city and region for all. Jump...