The William Penn Foundation (WPF) seeks to support efforts that connect more Philadelphians to high quality arts and culture experiences that reflect the cultural diversity of the region and contribute to its vibrancy.
Donor Name: William Penn Foundation
State: Pennsylvania and New Jersey
City: Camden and Philadelphia
County: Bucks County (PA), Chester County (PA), Delaware County (PA), Montgomery County (PA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/23/2025
Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
William Penn Foundation will prioritize support for performances, exhibitions, and other arts and culture projects designed to address historic inequities of access to arts and culture experiences.
Funding Information
- This funding opportunity is for organizations with less than $750,000 in annual operating expenses
- WPF has $3 million available to advance this objective through this RFP.
- At least $1 million of the total amount awarded under this RFP will be reserved for grants to organizations that are led by individuals who are members of groups with a history of discrimination or exclusion.
Grant Period
William Penn Foundation are requesting proposals for projects up to two years in duration that will increase opportunities for people across the region to engage with a range of high-quality arts and culture experiences.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)3 public charities or operate under a public charity fiduciary. Eligible applicants include:
- Artist collectives: a group of artists who come together to collaborate, share resources, and work towards common creative and/or social goals.
- Arts and culture organizations: organizations with a mission that centers on the creation, performance, and/or presentation of artistic and cultural programs and experiences.
- Community-based organizations: local, nonprofit groups that work to improve conditions for and directly serve the needs of their communities.
- Public institutions: government entities and agencies.
- WPF funds the following disciplines: dance, design, folk and traditional arts, literary arts, media arts, music, musical theater, opera, multidisciplinary arts, theater, and visual arts. Organizations that are not primarily arts and culture organizations must have a history of high-quality artistic programming and the appropriate artistic staff.
- Proposed projects cannot be for the primary benefit of artists.
- The majority of the funding will be awarded to projects in the City of Philadelphia. However, projects in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties, and the City of Camden, NJ will also be considered.
For more information, visit William Penn Foundation.
