Standing with you in pursuit of a more just city and region

Our annual letter to the community is typically a space where we reflect on the work of the past year and share thoughts about what’s ahead. This year, though, that approach feels out of sync with the moment in which we find ourselves as a country.

The last couple of weeks have been – and continue to be – uncertain for many. The futures of people who have immigrated here to create a better life for their families have been put into turmoil. Our collective efforts to build a society that's more inclusive of people of color, women, and members of the LGBTQ community are being undermined. And critical functions funded or run by our government seem in jeopardy.

Government supports upon which we depended for many years are now being called into question, and that is unsettling. However, we know that in times like these, our collective work is even more crucial. With a shifting political climate, the needs of communities may evolve, but our efforts and yours will remain grounded in the direct action and advocacy you lead. Your leadership in serving, protecting, and uplifting your communities has never been more necessary. We want to reassure you that the impact of your work is seen and valued, not just by us, but by those who depend on you most.

Here to Support You
As a foundation, we are actively thinking through how best to support residents of the region and the nonprofit sector. Your voices and input are always important to us and especially now. You are the experts; you know your constituents best. What new challenges are you confronting due to recent federal actions? Is your work at risk? How are your communities being impacted? What do you need?

If your work and constituents are being impacted, reach out to your program officer or Foundation leadership to talk through what you’re experiencing and concerned about. We are committed to standing alongside you, being flexible, and acting quickly to determine how we can respond and help.

While we recently identified a set of programs and priorities that remain firm, we also have an 80-year track record of supporting members of our community in ways that meet the needs and challenges of the moment. This is one of those moments, and we’re here to engage with you now. Philanthropic funding cannot replace government funds, but we want to help where we can.

Values in Action
When we introduced our new grantmaking programs this past summer, we did so guided by a set of values and with a commitment to one central idea: to help bring more opportunities to more people. We are also emphasizing support for communities that have been most affected by economic inequity, discrimination based on race, gender or sexual orientation, and other forms of injustice.

We are committed to this value and to an open and transparent grantmaking process. We aim to get more resources to organizations who have historically not received funding from us in the past or to groups led by staff and Boards composed largely of people of color. Since introducing our new grantmaking priorities, the early indicators show we are making progress toward this goal:

• 32% of grants are to small organizations with operating budgets that are less than $1 million.
• 31% of grants are to organizations that are either new to the William Penn Foundation or haven’t received funding from us in the last five years.
• 28% of grants are to organizations led by people of color.

Next year at this time, Philadelphia will be gearing up to welcome the world to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. That celebration is inextricably linked to the creation of a remarkable document – the Declaration of Independence – that guided the formation of a nation as our founders sought to separate from a government with very little regard for the governed. While it was groundbreaking, even at that moment of greatness we were not the fully inclusive nation that we hope to be.  

The investments the Foundation has made to help Philadelphia celebrate 2026 – including support for public spaces, performances, exhibitions and events – were all made with the goal of marking a celebratory and inclusive moment for all of us. We continue to aspire toward fulfillment of our promise and remain inspired by the vision laid out by the Declaration, believing that all people are equal and have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Next year offers us the opportunity to reflect on and rededicate ourselves to the core values of our founding as a nation 250 years ago.

Those convictions remain at the heart of your work and ours. Together, we can continue to move forward in that spirit.

With gratitude,
Katherine Christiano, Chair, William Penn Foundation Board of Directors
Peter Haas, Vice Chair, William Penn Foundation Board of Directors