If an application has already been started in response to this RFP, please visit the Proposals in Progress section in the Grants Portal to view and/or continue the application process.
Background
Many communities in Philadelphia and Camden experience a range of public health and socio-economic challenges linked to poor sanitation, pollution, and harmful environmental conditions.
Every year billions of gallons of stormwater mixed with raw sewage end up, untreated, in local creeks, streams and rivers due to antiquated infrastructure and inadequate sanitary controls. Areas most significantly impacted by sewage contamination are often located within or adjacent to neighborhoods already burdened by low incomes and other environmental hazards.
For cities like Philadelphia and Camden, rivers and streams constitute our largest remaining undeveloped open spaces. We want to ensure and promote equitable access to these important natural and community assets for fishing, boating, swimming, and more. With increased efforts to reduce sewage pollution alongside continued improvements in monitoring, safety, and education, we are closer than we’ve ever been to recapturing and reactivating the full potential of these urban waterways for recreational access and community benefit.
Opportunity Overview
The William Penn Foundation (WPF) seeks to support efforts that will reduce overflows of sewage into local waterways. Advancing this objective will expand safe and equitable access to the recreational benefits of community waterways. You can help to advance this objective through infrastructure upgrades, policy reforms, regulatory advocacy, education, training, and programming.
Please note: Projects to implement or advance Green Stormwater Infrastructure are not eligible for funding under this objective. A Request for Proposals focused on Green Stormwater Infrastructure will be released on June 17, 2026.
We are requesting proposals for up to three years of funding. After reviewing proposals, WPF will conduct site visits and gather additional information from a limited number of organizations.
Organizations that propose projects in partnership with other applicants will be considered on their individual merits. However, the Foundation recognizes that making significant progress on the objective is difficult and encourages organizations to include partnerships that leverage complementary strengths, resources, and expertise to reach proposed goals.
The Foundation recognizes that there are many different tactics or approaches that could be used to advance the objective stated above. All proposals that meet the criteria described below are encouraged.
WPF has $3 million available to advance this objective through this RFP. WPF values diverse approaches from various organizations and communities to address the objective, and we aim to attract and expect to fund a range of projects. There is no minimum or maximum amount of funding that organizations may request. However, we are unlikely to accommodate individual requests over $1 million. The grant amount requested should be commensurate with the contribution that the project will make to the overall objective. We are especially eager to receive applications from small organizations and/or from organizations that are led by individuals who are members of groups with a history of discrimination. Projects that demonstrate a diversity of funding sources are likely to be more competitive.
For applicants requesting funding for capital improvements: WPF works with Green Building United to provide optional, free, hands-on technical assistance (TA) to grantees to ensure that sustainability and climate resilience are factored into capital projects funded by WPF. Free TA is available to grantees in the planning, design, or early construction phases of their projects. TA can help organizations reduce operational costs, including energy costs; prepare for extreme weather; access financial incentives; and meet other sustainability goals. To date, support has included one-on-one discussions, design reviews with relevant professionals, and facilitated site visits to peer organizations who have addressed similar sustainability/resilience challenges. Organizations that are selected to advance beyond the written proposal stage of the review process will have the opportunity to learn more about free TA from Green Building United during their site visit with WPF staff.
Full Request for Proposals (RFP) and Application
Download the full RFP packet for more information about this opportunity including eligibility, review criteria, learning and insights, budget, and link to an application template.
All applications must be submitted through the Grants Portal.
Webinar
Interested organizations are invited to participate in an optional informational webinar on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET. Following the live webinar, a recording will be posted to this page.