Public Spaces Frequently Asked Questions
Overarching Creative Communities Questions
A: Yes, organizations can apply for grants under more than one strategy if the project or program strongly aligns with the guidelines of the relevant strategy.
A: Request amounts vary based on strategy and duration of the grant. Strategy-specific guidance can be found under the respective FAQ section. In general, it is Foundation policy not to fund more than 25% of an organization’s operating budget.
A: No, you do not. To see the specific requirements of our application process, please visit the How to Apply to Creative Communities webpage. If you have any other questions after reviewing that information, please feel free to reach out to Jasmine Wallack at jwallack@williampennfoundation.org.
A: “Racial equity is a process of eliminating racial disparities and improving outcomes for everyone. It is the intentional and continuing process of changing policies, systems, and structures by prioritizing measurable change in the lives of people of color.” (Creating Cultures and Practices for Racial Equity, by Nayantara Sen & Terry Keleher, Race Forward)
A: Economic inclusion means increased economic opportunity and more shared prosperity in ways that can be sustained for individuals who historically have experienced the most barriers to economic prosperity, such as people of color.
Public Spaces Creation and Stewardship Questions
A: We will accept proposals from a range of public and community spaces, including but not limited to:
- parks
- libraries
- recreation centers
- trails
- waterways
- community farms
- community gardens
- community centers
- plazas
- play areas
We will consider proposals related to public and community spaces which are freely accessible to the public without membership, ticket, or purchase requirements. Applicants with spaces that have hours of operation or designated public access periods must clearly communicate their public accessibility for the site.
We will not support spaces that are primarily profit-seeking or public or private memorials.
A: Yes, we will consider funding for other organizations, such as social enterprises and/or cooperative businesses, so long as their activities and proposed work are strongly aligned with the Public Spaces Creation and Stewardship funding guidelines.
A: We believe that high-quality public and community spaces are those that are maintained to a high level and provide meaningful, relevant experiences for those who use them. High-quality spaces are managed to prioritize operational sustainability, including in relation to climate resiliency. Accessibility and inclusion also play a key role in defining a high-quality public space (e.g., attention to physical design, signage, staffing, culturally relevant programming, and other organizational governance policies that promote feelings of welcome and belonging).
We recognize that organizations are in various stages of working toward these goals. An organization’s commitment is ultimately what is important, not that they have already achieved all these objectives.
A: We offer limited general operating support to provide eligible organizations with flexible resources needed to evolve or grow over the grant period while improving practices related to operations, maintenance, and/or programming. This support is “time limited” in that organizations should not expect renewals to general operating grant awards.
A: Due to current commitments within this funding strategy, most funding – especially in the first two years of this new strategy – will be awarded within the City of Philadelphia. During this time, staff will learn about new potential places for funding to inform future funding decisions.
A: We understand that it is impossible to predict the future, especially when working with partners and navigating an ongoing pandemic. As grants progress, we seek to understand how operating environments are changing, and how and why grantees are adapting.
If grant terms or expectations need adjustment, the Creative Communities team will work with grantees to determine how to continue progress toward the overall grant aims, even if processes or methods must shift. Such adjustments aren’t a sign of failure, but an expected part of undertaking meaningful public space work.
We also aim to help grantees address challenges by:
- advising on grant evolution
- connecting grantees with others experiencing similar issues
- referring grantees to additional resources
We determine grant success on a case-by-case basis, based on grantees’ ability to achieve original intended aims and/or ability to shift appropriately given changes in operating environments.
Finally, we greatly value opportunities to learn from our grantees because ongoing learning is essential to our work as Foundation staff. Projects that do not go as planned often result in critical learning. We appreciate and greatly value grantees’ honesty regarding these issues; this honesty is what enables us to adjust the Foundation’s expectations, effectively advise our grantees, and learn from each grant cycle.
Equitable Economic Impacts Questions
A: Yes, we will consider funding for other organizations, such as social enterprises and/or cooperative businesses, so long as their activities and proposed work are strongly aligned with the Equitable Economic Impacts funding guidelines.
A: Due to current commitments within this funding strategy, most funding – especially in the first two years of this new strategy – will be awarded within the City of Philadelphia. During this time, staff will learn about new potential places for funding to inform future funding decisions.
A: We understand that it is impossible to predict the future, especially when working with partners and navigating an ongoing pandemic. As grants progress, we seek to understand how operating environments are changing, and how and why grantees are adapting.
If grant terms or expectations need adjustment, the Creative Communities team will work with grantees to determine how to continue progress toward the overall grant aims, even if processes or methods must shift. Such adjustments aren’t a sign of failure, but an expected part of undertaking meaningful public space work.
We also aim to help grantees address challenges by:
- advising on grant evolution
- connecting grantees with others experiencing similar issues
- referring grantees to additional resources
We determine grant success on a case-by-case basis, based on grantees’ ability to achieve original intended aims and/or ability to shift appropriately given changes in operating environments.
Finally, we greatly value opportunities to learn from our grantees because ongoing learning is essential to our work as Foundation staff. Projects that do not go as planned often result in critical learning. We appreciate and greatly value grantees’ honesty regarding these issues; this honesty is what enables us to adjust the Foundation’s expectations, effectively advise our grantees, and learn from each grant cycle.