Philadelphia Foundation
Contact information:
1234 Market Street, Suite 1800
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3794
Phone: 215-563-6417
Fax: 215-563-6882
Website: https://www.philafound.org/default.aspx
Type of foundation: Community foundation
Types of grants: Emergency funds, general/operating support, organizational development, challenge support, program, scholarships, seed money, technical assistance.
Description: The Foundation was established in 1918 and now ranks among the 50 largest community foundations in the country. Its assets are generated by more than 600 funds from donors. Bequests have ranged from several thousand to ten million dollars. Grants are distributed by decision of the Board of Managers, 18 community leaders who live and work in the five-county Philadelphia metropolitan area. The Foundation is dedicated to providing assistance to regional nonprofit organizations serving vulnerable individuals and communities. The Foundation gives high priority to nonprofit organizations that are committed to improving the lives of and increasing opportunities for Children, Youth and Families; addressing Social Justice issues; promoting Community Building; and Arts and Culture. The Foundation gives priority to nonprofits with operating budgets of less than $10 million. The Foundation's discretionary grantmaking mainly takes the form of:
General Support Grants: These grants provide unrestricted support to "high-performing" nonprofits. Funds may be used as contributions toward capital campaigns or endowments. Grants support organizations at five different "lifecycle" stages:
- Core Program Development: a stage at which organizations have developed a set of programs central to mission success and have begun achieving a consistent level of desired results for those being served.
- Infrastructure Development: a stage at which organizations have developed an organizational infrastructure necessary for supporting core programs and are growing to scale.
- Mission Impact: a stage at which organizations are achieving mission impact through programmatic offerings and organizational leadership and evidence of strategic partnerships, advocacy efforts and collaboration.
- Transition/Renewal: a stage at which an organization is either undergoing a significant leadership transition, constituency or contextual shift that necessitates the reevaluation of its organizational structure, mission and purpose.
- Dissolve/ Merge: a stage at which organizations that may be ready to dissolve or merge with another organization.
Organizational Effectiveness Grants: These grants are designed to strengthen the business and operational practices of nonprofit organizations in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Grants support a range of activities in leadership development, training, planning and resource development. They do not support specific programs or fully fund staff positions.
Sample grants:
- $229,592 to Tides Foundation, San Francisco, CA for the Independent Television Series (ITVS) Digital Initiative Project (2008).
- $75,000 to Library Company of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA for History Making Productions' 'Remaking of America's First City - Philadelphia,' a Documentary Film (2008).
- $50,000 to WHYY, Philadelphia, PA for Putting Communities First conference (2006).
- $50,000 to Independence Public Media of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA for Philadelphia Stories (film/video/radio) (2007).
- $25,000 to WCNY-TV/24, Liverpool, NY for film, 'Great Giving' (2005).
Fit for public broadcasting: The Foundation has made multiple public media gifts, which appear to support its interest in education and civic leadership. The Foundation has a goal to create a flourishing Delaware Valley area with thriving and diverse communities that inspire civic participation through philanthropy. The Foundation has made 50 grants for radio/television projects over the past seven years, totaling more than $1.5 million.
Eligibility: Giving limited to Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, except for designated funds. No support for religious purposes; generally, low priority given to national organizations, government agencies, large budget agencies, public or private schools, or umbrella funding organizations. No grants to individuals (except for scholarships), or for annual or capital campaigns, building funds, land acquisition, endowment funds, research, publications, tours or trips, conferences or deficit financing; no loans.
Deadline: Applications accepted for discretionary grants from January 1 – October 15.
How to apply: Interested applicants should begin by completing the online eligibility quiz. First-time applicants should contact the Foundation by phone or e-mail prior to applying. Then, organizations should download and complete the appropriate application form for the grant for which they are applying.
Giving range: The average gift for radio/television projects is approximately $30,000. The Foundation has made gifts as high as $2.9 million.
Assets: $245,794,284 (2008)
Total giving: $19,107,632 (2008)
View 2008 Annual Report.
