Grants Announcement

Awarded Grants | February 2026

Date Posted:

March 3, 2026

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.

Arts and Culture

Expanding access to diverse, inclusive, and high-quality arts and culture experiences.

We awarded 17 grants totaling $2.7 million to advance our Arts and Culture Programming objective. The grants below will support high-quality performances, exhibitions, hands-on art-making workshops, and other arts and culture activities for approximately 4,000 individuals in Philadelphia and Montogomery counties over the next two years.

Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust to develop a new first-person interpretation program called “Hidden Histories: Stories of Black Quakerism,” for the Semiquincentennial. ($20,625 over 6 months)
Bowerbird, Inc. to host Neighborhood Lab pop-ups providing synthesizer instruction through classes, workshops, and open studios. ($115,000 over 21 months)
Christ Church Preservation Trust to partner with Applied Mechanics to produce and present Run Ben Run at its Neighborhood House Theater. ($122,500 over 8 months)
Dance Iquail Inc. to present "Celebrate Mantua,” a West Philadelphia community dance festival. ($337,500 over 18 months)
Diaspora DNA Story Center to host several Archives & Vibes pop-up activations, culminating in a public "living history" showcase. ($100,000 over 24 months)
Journey Arts to produce KINTSUGI, an original theatrical piece centering intergenerational belonging, identity, and healing in Philadelphia's Japanese-American community. ($192,950 over 20 months)
NASD Education Foundation to host One Book One Norristown 2026-2027, a community-centered annual arts and literacy festival. ($59,500 over 24 months)
Ollin Yoliztli Calmecac to develop and produce Meeting of Condor and Eagle: Decolonial Performance and Exhibition Series. ($38,500 over 17 months)
Olney Culture Lab (fiscally sponsored by CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia) to present a series of multicultural programming, including festivals, concerts, and community dining events. ($386,500 over 24 months)
Painted Bride Art Center to develop and present Infinite Slow Drive/Obsidians in the Wild, a community-driven art project that blends dance, visual art, and cultural history. ($264,291 over 21 months)
The Philadelphia Pigeon (fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas) to produce The Late(ish) Poetry Show, a series of monthly late-night style variety shows that centers BIPOC voices. ($51,000 over 24 months)
Piffaro The Renaissance Band to form a community choir to perform a collection of Hispanic Renaissance-era liturgical music scores. ($100,798 over 24 months)
Ride Free (fiscally sponsored by Impact Services Corp) to support Wall & Stage, a collaboration with Vizion Art Gallery to bring community driven arts programing to the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. ($263,340 over 24 months)
Team Sunshine Performance to develop and premiere the next installment of The Sincerity Project, a series of ensemble-created plays exploring belonging, cultural resilience, and endurance with elder migrants in Philadelphia. ($110,000 over 20 months)
Termite TV Collective Inc. to support Places of Power community arts programming in the Norris Square neighborhood of Philadelphia. ($85,125 over 24 months)
Theater of Witness (fiscally sponsored by CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia) to devise and produce the play GrandWomen, centering the voices and lived experiences of culturally diverse elder women. ($325,200 over 24 months)
West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance to implement The Paul Robeson Programming Residency and engage participants through free public programs, workshops, and exhibitions. ($187,500 over 24 months)

We awarded 12 grants totaling $2.9 million to advance our Arts Education Programming objective, focusing on out-of-school, community-based arts education programs. The grants below will reach over 3,100 youth from Philadelphia, City of Chester, Kennett Square, and Avondale with hands-on arts education happening in community-based settings.

Asian Arts Initiative to deliver its after-school Youth Arts Workshop program with specialized workshops in filmmaking, animation, and cultural arts. ($354,357 over 36 months)
Rebel Arts Movement (fiscally sponsored by Black Rebel Nomads) to increase engagement in circus arts for youth in Kensington and Greater North Philadelphia through its Rebellion Circus Program. ($86,250 over 36 months)
BuildaBridge International to expand its trauma-informed arts education programming held at Philadelphia recreation centers. ($153,293 over 24 months)
Chester Children’s Chorus (a program of Swarthmore College) to sustain its year-round music education program for youth from Chester, PA. ($375,000 over 27 months)
The Clay Studio to support its After School Artist program. ($285,335 over 36 months)
Gapura to maintain and expand its Gamelan Gita Santi Youth Program centering Indonesian gamelan tradition. ($25,500 over 12 months)
Garage Community and Youth Center to support its Youth Development Art Programs serving young people in Kennett Square and Avondale, PA. ($267,500 over 24 months)
Hip Hop Fundamentals (fiscally sponsored by Young Audiences of New Jersey) for The Power of Expression, an afterschool Hip Hop dance education program held at Philadelphia recreation centers. ($286,625 over 24 months)
Mighty Writers to provide after-school and Saturday specialized hands-on arts sessions for youth across Greater Philadelphia and Camden, NJ. ($249,958 over 24 months)
People's Light and Theatre Company to support New Voices Ensemble, its theatre education programming for youth from Chester, PA. ($225,055 over 18 months)
Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco!) to provide year-round dance and life skills training to students in West and North Philadelphia through its Danco 3 Program. ($195,900 over 36 months)
Village of Arts Humanities to support Ile Ife Creative, providing arts-based leadership development for Fairhill-Hartranft neighborhood youth. ($470,000 over 24 months)

We awarded 13 grants totaling nearly $5.6 million to advance our Arts and Culture Capital Support objective. The grants below will be utilized to make improvements to existing physical spaces that address aging systems and infrastructure, accessibility, and safety conditions to improve access to arts and culture experiences for approximately 620,000 individuals annually across the Greater Philadelphia region.

BlackStar Projects, Inc. to improve accessibility for the disability community through audio description technology purchases and upgrades and a portable ramp. ($109,665 over 12 months)
Calvary Center for Culture and Community to restore the roof of its historic building and make safety improvements and repairs to its dedicated arts spaces. ($750,000 over 24 months)
The Clay Studio to enhance accessibility and lighting for its collection displays and gallery spaces, expand community studio space, and create a welcoming exterior. ($284,813 over 12 months)
Delaware River Waterfront Corporation to support Cherry Street Pier elevator accessibility and climate control as infrastructure enhancements for public arts spaces and artist residency studios. ($325,750 over 24 months)
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc. to construct an inclusive Welcome Center, improve wayfinding and language access to arts spaces, and install gender-neutral bathrooms. ($807,500 over 12 months)
German Society of Pennsylvania to secure exterior safety and complete the restoration of its historic façade. ($210,000 over 24 months)
La Salle University to install updated lighting throughout the University’s Art Museum. ($156,000 over 12 months)
Lantern Theater Company to install safety upgrades to the electrical service and a new HVAC system at its Mt. Airy theater. ($447,500 over 12 months)
National Liberty Museum to upgrade its HVAC system to improve energy efficiency and gallery safety conditions. ($400,380 over 12 months)
Nueva Esperanza to enhance accessibility at Esperanza Arts Center through wayfinding signage, audio upgrades, and gallery equipment. ($115,439 over 12 months)
The Rock School for Dance Education to replace dance classroom flooring, improve water safety, and HVAC systems for safe, healthy and accessible learning spaces. ($466,073 over 12 months)
The Rosenbach Museum and Library to support accessibility upgrades to exterior entrances, interior pathways and transition spaces and accessible bathrooms. ($750,000 over 24 months)
Taller Puertorriqueño, Inc. to update accessibility and safety of La Plaza entrance and courtyard, and install welcoming inclusive signage, climate control and mural in lobby spaces. ($758,125 over 18 months)

We awarded one additional grant to help advance the Arts and Culture program’s Strengthen the Arts and Culture Sector objective:

Scout Urban, LLC to provide cross-sector research on affordable artist housing solutions in Philadelphia. ($203,125 over 12 months)

Children and Families

Supporting the healthy development and academic success of young Philadelphians.

We awarded 12 grants totaling $7.65 million to advance our Mental and Behavioral Health Services objective. The grants below are expected to serve 6,140 children, 6,150 pregnant and parenting caregivers, and 1,165 mental and behavioral health professionals.

Drexel University to support Newborns and Neighbors: Community-driven perinatal peer and mental health support. ($667,192 over 36 months)
Esperanza Health Center Inc. to expand and enhance the integrated pediatric behavioral health care at Esperanza Health Center. ($647,986 over 36 months)
Family Practice & Counseling Services Network Inc. to expand access to pediatric and family behavioral health through integrated care. ($805,971 over 36 months)
Gaudenzia, Inc. to support mental and behavioral healthcare for children and mothers at Gaudenzia Hutchinson Place. ($621,000 over 36 months)
Kingsessing Heals (fiscally sponsored by Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia) for the Youth Community Resilience Program. ($376,248 over 36 months)
Merakey Children's Services to support the Mobile Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) program. ($895,252 over 36 months)
Nationalities Service Center of Philadelphia for ACCESS Mental Health: Services for newcomer children and caregivers. ($382,200 over 36 months)
North City Congress to support the Culturally Responsive Neurodivergent Support Initiative. ($575,000 over 24 months)
Philadelphia City Fund to expand mental and behavioral health support for children and caregivers impacted by substance use disorder. ($800,025 over 36 months)
St. Christopher's Hospital for Children to support early childhood behavioral health transition coordination. ($807,147 over 36 months)
University of Pennsylvania - Perelman School of Medicine to promote timely, evidence-based care for diverse youth with selective mutism. ($478,470 over 36 months)
Uplift Center for Grieving Children to provide grief supports for young children and their caregivers. ($593,750 over 36 months)

We awarded 6 grants totaling $3.7 million to advance our Out-of-School Learning objective. Annually, the grants below are expected to serve 241 additional children aged 3-8 in after-school and summer programming.

Aspira Inc. of Pennsylvania to expand and enhance ASPIRA's out-of-school-time programming. ($378,802 over 36 months)
Catholic Social Services to support out-of-school learning at Holy Innocents School in the Juniata neighborhood. ($953,559 over 36 months)
Congreso de Latinos Unidos Inc. to support the out-of-school time program for K-3 English language learners at John H. Webster School. ($669,437 over 36 months)
Cradle of Liberty Council for Building Brighter Futures: Expanding after-school programming for under-resourced Philadelphia youth. ($669,841 over 36 months)
Greater Philadelphia Young Men’s Christian Association to support the YMCA Early Learning Pathways out-of-school time program. ($591,147 over 36 months)
Logan Hope to expand year-round academic and social support programming for K-3 students. ($444,339 over 36 months)

We awarded three additional grants in the Children and Families program:

Early Childhood Education:
- HopePHLto support the Building Early Links to Learning (BELL) program. ($460,000 over 24 months)
- Reinvestment Fund Inc. to support the Child Care Supply and Demand Report and Map tool. ($360,000 over 60 months)
Prevent Homelessness:
- Asset Funders Network to support Heirs’ Property Localization Opportunities for Philadelphia. ($11,500 over 9 months)

Democracy and Civic Initiatives

Enabling more people to participate in democratic processes and finding collaborative ways for funders to accelerate improvement.

We awarded nine grants in the Democracy and Civic Initiatives program:

Civic Initiatives:
- Bicycle Transit Systems to support strategic planning and community engagement for the next phase of Indego Bike Share expansion. ($424,936 over 24 months)
- Civic Coalition to Save Lives (fiscally sponsored by the Philadelphia Foundation) to coordinate and support evidence-based gun violence interventions. ($750,000 over 36 months)
- Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation to support a comprehensive plan for the revitalization of Historic Belmont Mansion and the Underground Railroad Museum. ($100,000 over 9 months)
- Philly Cooks to develop a strategic framework. ($110,000 over 12 months)
- University City District to conduct community engagement for the West Philly Waterfront. ($110,000 over 12 months)
Regional Funder Collaboration
- Center for Effective Philanthropy, Inc. to support research and funder education efforts. ($110,000 over 24 months)
Regional Funding
- Green Building United to implement shared communications and storytelling. ($109,000 over 12 months)
Responsive Local Government
- National Urban Fellows, Inc. to support Advancing Procurement Excellence in the City of Philadelphia. ($110,000 over 12 months)
- Pew Charitable Trusts to support procurement reform in Philadelphia. ($110,000 over 12 months)

Environment and Public Space

Protecting and improving natural areas and community spaces.

We awarded 6 grants totaling $1.5 million to advance our Climate Resilience Plans objective. The grants below are expected to serve 33,500 residents across six neighborhoods in Philadelphia and Camden.

Centennial Parkside CDC to support East Parkside heat resilience planning. ($193,001 over 24 months)
Drexel University to plan for community-level emergency preparedness in South Philadelphia. ($318,000 over 24 months)
John Bartram Association to convene community and scientific expertise for Southwest Philadelphia climate resilience. ($160,000 over 18 months)
Penn Praxis, Inc. to support the East Camden Community Resilience Plan. ($315,625 over 12 months)
Philadelphia City Fund to support Strawberry Mansion Cool Neighborhood Plan. ($319,150 over 24 months)
Philly Thrive to cultivate grounded community leadership for the Grays Ferry Resilience Hub. ($194,613 over 23 months)

We awarded 6 grants totaling $2.8 million to advance our Reduce Illegal Dumping objective. The grants below are expected to divert 589 tons of waste annually from potential illegal dumpsites.

City of Philadelphia – District Attorney’s Office to support Together for Clean Spaces: Community engagement to support illegal dumping enforcement. ($399,255 over 36 months)
Clean Water Fund to support No Dumping, Just Love: Reducing neighbor-on-neighbor dumping to reclaim North Philadelphia with Block by Block. ($650,000 over 24 months)
CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia as fiscal sponsor for Trash Academy’s Clean Philadelphia NOW initiative to end illegal dumping. ($339,343 over 12 months)
Frankford Community Development Corporation to advance containerization and greening solutions to reduce household waste illegally dumped in Frankford. ($492,873 over 36 months)
HACE – Hispanic Association of Contractors and Enterprises to support community education, waste disposal vouchers, and vacant lot stabilization to reduce dumping in Fairhill and St. Hugh. ($567,000 over 36 months)
We Love Philly to support Buried Stories: Youth-led documentary on illegal dumping and community health in Philadelphia. ($390,872 over 36 months)

We awarded 6 grants totaling $1.2 million to advance our Urban Gardens objective. The grants below will lead to garden preservation, including direct acquisition of vulnerable parcels, as well as research to explore the creation of community-based land holding entities, with the potential to secure and affect upwards of 86 threatened garden parcels.

Centennial Parkside CDC to preserve and sustain North Star park and garden. ($171,375 over 12 months)
Neighborhood Gardens Trust to support priority neighborhood garden acquisition and safety investment initiative. ($417,978 over 24 months)
Neighborhood Land Power Project to secure Conestoga-Pearl gardens and neighborhood food farm adjacent land for community stewardship. ($143,750 over 24 months)
Norris Square Neighborhood Project to secure parcels to save Norris Square garden from development. ($390,270 over 24 months)
One Art Community Center to preserve One Art’s West Philadelphia farm property. ($75,000 over 12 months)
Reinhard St. Community Farm and Kitchen to support comprehensive planning initiative for long-term garden lot protection and community stewardship. ($49,375 over 12 months)

We awarded 5 grants totaling $2.4 million to advance our Urban Trees objective. The grants below are expected to plant and maintain at least 2,850 trees in the seven priority areas of the Philly Tree Plan.

ArtPhilly to support Rewilding Philadelphia: A community-designed pocket forest. ($441,143 over 36 months).
Delaware River Waterfront Corporation to advance the Washington Avenue Connector – Urban Tree Canopy project. ($90,000 over 36 months)
Impact Services Corp to support Green Streets: A community tree planting and stewardship program across Kensington and North Philadelphia. ($570,117 over 36 months)
Justice Outside to support a community tree collaborative. ($850,003 over 36 months)
PowerCorpsPHL to advance community-rooted tree maintenance and training. ($464,688 over 24 months)

We awarded three additional grants in the Environment and Public Space program:

Improvement of Public Spaces:
- Center City District Foundation to complete construction documentation for Phase 2 of the Viaduct Greenway. ($100,000 over 5 months)
Land Conservation:
- Open Space Institute Land Trust, Inc. to advance land conservation in Greater Philadelphia through capital grants, capacity investments, and field building. ($6,000,000 over 36 months)
Urban Gardens:
- Next City, Inc. to support the Next City Anti-Displacement Knowledge-Sharing Series. ($110,000 for 12 months).

Special Projects

In addition to the grants above, the Foundation awarded seven grants totaling $7.6 million to support access to Philadelphia’s cultural institutions. The grants will provide funding to support affordable entry to cultural sites for low-income residents and individuals with disabilities. The three-year grants were awarded to the following organizations: