THE WILLIAM PENN FOUNDATION

Supporting OrganizationIRS data 2022–2024

PHILADELPHIA, PAEIN 231503488 Website

Annual Giving

$148.8M-3% YoY

Grants

1,027

Median Grant

$50K

Organizations Funded

677

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Foundation Overview

Mission

The William Penn Foundation is committed to expanding access to resources and opportunities that promote a more vital and just city and region for all. We invest in ideas that expand opportunity for all in the Philadelphia region.

Focus Areas

park development and waterfront revitalizationgreen stormwater infrastructureland protection and conservationwatershed protection and restorationregional trails and trail networksclimate resilience and climate adaptationearly childhood education and early learning facility expansionliteracy and K-3 literacy programs

Grant Types

capital campaignscapital grantsgeneral operating supportprogram/project grantsregrant fundsplanning and evaluation grantsadvocacy/civic grants

Funded Initiatives

$183.6M in grants (2021), $24M capital support for arts/culture/public space organizations, five program areas (Children & Families, Arts & Culture, Democracy & Civic Initiatives, Environment & Public Space, Workforce Training), revised grantmaking approach 2024

How to Apply

RFP process highly recommended (24% approval rate). Open application process available for urgent opportunities that cannot wait for RFPs. Electronic portal system, maximum 3 months from application to decision.

Does Not Fund

Geographic focus on Philadelphia and surrounding counties (varies by RFP), foundation policy not to fund more than 25% of organization's operating budget, legal review required for advocacy/lobbying activities, nonprofit organizations only

Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.

Giving History

2024-3%

$148.8M

Grants

1,027

Median

$50K

States

2023+7%

$153.2M

Grants

1,180

Median

$45K

States

2022

$143.5M

Grants

1,107

Median

$36K

States

Grant Size Distribution

$50K

Typical Grant (Median)

$45

Smallest

$3K

25th Pctile

$150K

75th Pctile

$7.8M

Largest

Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $3K and $150K.

Largest Recent Grants

$7.8M

2024

NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST

PA · IMPLEMENT THE REBUILD INITIATIVE

$7.0M

2024

DELAWARE RIVER WATERFRONT CORPORATION

PA · CONSTRUCTION OF PENN'S LANDING PARK

$5.0M

2024

PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA AND KIMMEL CENTER INC

PA · CAPITAL CAMPAIGN 2024

$3.5M

2024

FAIRMOUNT PARK CONSERVANCY

PA · CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND PLANNING FOR FDR PARK

$3.0M

2024

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF PHILADELPHIA

PA · CAPITAL CAMPAIGN 2024

Geographic Focus

$126.0M708 grants

$4.7M68 grants

$4.5M44 grants

$3.8M66 grants

$2.8M12 grants

Top states by total grant dollars. Based on IRS filing data.

Financial Overview

YearTotal AssetsGrants Paid

2024

$3.4B

$148.8M(4.3%)

2023

$3.3B

$153.2M(4.7%)

2022

$3.2B

$143.5M(4.4%)

Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets

Network Intelligence

Funding follows networks, not keywords

SciRise maps 4.8M+ grants across 16,000+ foundations to identify which ones are most likely to fund organizations like yours — based on who they already fund, not just what they say they fund.

Data sourced from IRS 990 and 990-PF filings and publicly available foundation websites. Grant data, financial figures, and organizational details reflect historical filings and may not represent current operations or funding priorities. Verify directly with the foundation before applying. See an issue? Let us know.