The William Penn Foundation (WPF) seeks to support projects that improve existing arts and culture spaces to connect more Philadelphians to high-quality arts and culture experiences.
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:
Foundation is most interested in prioritizing projects that make it possible for all Philadelphians, including people with disabilities and those who have been most affected by economic inequity, racial discrimination, or other forms of injustice to benefit from high-quality arts and culture experiences—in spaces that are designed and equipped to be safe, welcoming, and engaging.
Funding Information
- WPF has $6 million available to advance this objective through this RFP.
- Grant requests under $750,000 and spaces owned by the organization will be most competitive.
- Projects may also address one-time major equipment purchases, including but not limited to technology, equipment to support artistic production and presentation, safety, and accessibility.
Grant Period
William Penn Foundation are requesting proposals for projects up to two years in duration for capital improvement of a space that is currently owned by the applicant or improvement for a space under long-term lease by the applicant.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)3 public charities or operate under a public charity fiduciary. Grantees who are currently funded with their first WPF grant must have completed at least one year of that grant. Applicants must currently own their proposed physical space; or must hold a long-term lease for a minimum of the next 8 years. Eligible organizations include:
- Arts and culture organizations: organizations with a mission that centers on the creation, performance, and/or presentation of artistic-cultural programs and practices that are inclusive, equitable and have social impact.
- Arts education organizations: community art schools, community youth arts organizations, creative youth development organizations that work to make high-quality arts education accessible for youth ages 5-18.
- Organizations with dedicated arts spaces: Organizations that have a physical space with an intended commitment to artistic-cultural programs and practices and is used solely for the creation, performance, and/or presentation of high-quality works that are open to the public.
- 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.
