The William Penn Foundation
Accepts applications
The William Penn Foundation is a private foundation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In tax year 2024 it gave $116 million in 1,027 grants; the typical grant was $50,000 and the largest $7.8 million. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$116 million
- Number of grants1,027
- Typical grant$50,000
- Largest grant$7.8 million
- Assets$3.4 billion
- New grantees30%
Giving in 2024 was down from $152 million the year before.
30% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $184 million | 1,107 | $3.2 billion |
| 2023 | $152 million | 1,180 | $3.3 billion |
| 2024 | $116 million | 1,027 | $3.4 billion |
How to apply
| Contact | Grants Co the William Penn Foundati Two Logan Square Suite 1100, Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (215) 988-1830 |
| What to submit | The foundation is interested in receiving letters of inquiry from public charities that meet its funding guidelines. Letters of inquiry should include the nature of the project, anticipated results and financial information for the applicant. For additional information please see our website at www.williampennfoundation.org. |
| Restrictions | 1.) grants are made to organizations which qualify under internal revenue code section 501C3 as public charities under 509(a) of the code who provide support within the foundation's grantmaking priorites. 2.) grants are not made to individuals or for sectarian religious activities or for political lobbying. For additional information please see our website at www.williampennfoundation.org. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The William Penn Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 32 states, the most to Pennsylvania.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 708 | $126 million |
| New Jersey | 68 | $4.7 million |
| District of Columbia | 44 | $4.5 million |
| New York | 66 | $3.8 million |
| Virginia | 12 | $2.8 million |
| Massachusetts | 12 | $1.4 million |
| Delaware | 13 | $1.1 million |
| California | 16 | $912,254 |
| Maryland | 15 | $900,953 |
| Colorado | 7 | $510,434 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Philanthropic Trust | Implement the rebuild initiative | $7.8 million |
| Delaware River Waterfront Corporation | Construction of penn's landing park | $7.0 million |
| Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center Inc | Capital campaign 2024 | $5.0 million |
| Fairmount Park Conservancy | Capital improvements and planning for fdr park | $3.5 million |
| Zoological Society of Philadelphia | Capital campaign 2024 | $3.0 million |
| Fairmount Park Conservancy | Centennial gateway at the welsh fountain | $2.5 million |
| Center City District Foundation | Reading viaduct acquisition & design | $2.0 million |
| Mann Center for the Performing Arts | Capital campaign 2024 | $2.0 million |
| National Nurse-Led Care Consortium | Basic needs fund for home visited families. | $2.0 million |
| Pennsylvania Ballet Association | Capital campaign 2024 | $2.0 million |
| Philadelphia Clef Club of the Performing Arts Inc | Capital campaign 2024 | $2.0 million |
| National Wildlife Federation | Alliance for watershed education (for 23 centers) | $1.9 million |
| Philadelphia Soccer 2026 | Lemon hill world cup capital project | $1.5 million |
| Reinvestment Fund Inc | Fund for quality to increase supply of quality early childhood education seats. | $1.5 million |
| Philadelphia City Fund | The chinatown stitch: reconnecting philadelphia's chinatown | $1.3 million |
| Philadelphia Energy Authority | Catalyzing federal climate investment through coordination and home repair | $1.3 million |
| Philadelphia Works Inc | Coordinated family support to access full snap benefits | $1.1 million |
| Lenfest Institute for Journalism | Post-election accountability | $1.0 million |
| Jastech Development Services Inc | Greater philadelphia tctac | $1.0 million |
| National Philanthropic Trust | 2026 collaborative fund | $1.0 million |
| Philadelphia City Fund | Urban agriculture plan implementation | $1.0 million |
| Philadelphia Foundation | Philadelphia community gift fund | $971,000 |
| Philadelphia City Fund | Philly joy bank | $954,100 |
| The Corps Network | Tcn 2023 drcc transition | $900,000 |
| Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children | Early childhood advocacy campaign | $850,425 |
| Bread and Roses Community Fund | Climate justice fund | $818,913 |
| Congreso de Latinos Unidos Inc | Exito k-3 literacy strategy | $805,000 |
| Jastech Development Services Inc | 2023 jastech- overbrook center natureworks gsi utility exhibit | $800,000 |
| Philadelphia City Fund | Philadelphia community resilience & environmental justice fund | $750,000 |
| William Way LGBT Community Center | Expansion of its community center | $735,000 |
| Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future | Pennfuture 2023- cwa advocacy swimmable philly campaign | $720,000 |
| Pennsylvania Environmental Council Inc | Circuit trails leadership | $716,150 |
| Partners for Sacred Places Inc | Public spaces for black houses of worship | $700,943 |
| United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey | Record clearing initiative | $700,000 |
| John Bartram Association | Build a new 12,000 square foot ecosystems education center | $675,000 |
| Philadelphia City Fund | Climate resilience engagement & planning | $600,000 |
| Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission | Regional climate funding planning and coordination | $575,000 |
| Pennsylvania Voice | Pa voice: 2024-2025 | $567,500 |
| The Lighthouse | Somerset community center repairs | $566,267 |
| Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation | Support for read by 4th backbone functions and reading captains | $550,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Allison Acevedo
- Andrew Haas
- Bryan Ulishney
- Catherine Haas
- David Haas
- Dorothy Hanrahan
- Elliot Weinbaum
- Janet Haas
- Jessica Richards
- John Hanrahan
- Katherine Christiano
- Leonard Haas
- Lorena Ahumada
- Madoe Htun
- Marcel Pratt
Questions people ask
Does The William Penn Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.
How much does The William Penn Foundation give?
$116 million in tax year 2024, across 1,027 grants, with a typical grant of $50,000.
Who runs The William Penn Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Allison Acevedo (Board Member), Andrew Haas (Board Member), Bryan Ulishney (Director of Finance and Admin./Treas.) and Catherine Haas (Associate Board Member) among 15 officers and trustees.
What does The William Penn Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, arts and culture and education.