[William Penn Foundation](https://williampennfoundation.org)

October 2026

Recent awards: $2.7M across 13 grants since 2024; award sizes vary by project scope and organizational capacity.

Supports increased funding and advocacy for the maintenance and improvement of Philadelphia’s parks, aiming to enhance quality of life and sustainable investment.

Grant will not fund more than 25% of an organization’s annual budget in any three of five years.

--- ## Description This grant opportunity seeks to boost investment in Philadelphia’s park system by supporting projects that increase funding for park maintenance, operations, and advocacy. The initiative recognizes the role of both public and private contributions—including volunteer hours—to build a lasting and sustainable base of support for parks. Progress is measured using the Trust for Public Land’s ParkScore®, with a goal to raise the three-year average per capita park spending from $86 to $95 by 2035. The program encourages efforts leveraging community organizations and advocacy networks to achieve these benchmarks and enhance the quality of life for all Philadelphians. --- ## Due Dates - October 2026 (anticipated/projected) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Recent data: $2,696,750 awarded across 13 grants since 2024. - Award size varies by project and organizational capacity; typical grants may support both direct project costs and up to 25% overhead. - The Foundation will not fund more than 25% of an organization’s general operating costs for more than three years in any five-year period. --- ## Eligibility - Open to organizations advancing increased funding, maintenance, or advocacy for Philadelphia’s parks. - Applicants must primarily serve Philadelphia or the surrounding region. - Fiscal sponsorship is permitted; the fiscal sponsor must be a 501(c)(3) and will be the legal grantee. - Organizations must provide appropriate financial statements (audit, review, compilation, or internal, based on contribution level). - The Foundation will not fund more than 25% of an organization’s annual budget for more than three years in any five-year period. --- ## Application Process - Review the [Environment and Public Space program objectives](https://williampennfoundation.org/program/environment-and-public-space) to ensure alignment. - Applications are submitted through the [William Penn Foundation Grants Portal](https://wpf.my.site.com/grantee/s/login/). - Prepare a written application and project budget; overhead/general expenses are calculated as a set percentage of direct project costs. - Applications are reviewed by Foundation staff, followed by potential site visits and Board review. - Typical timeline from submission to decision is approximately 90 days. - For questions about the objective or proposal fit, contact the relevant program officer. --- ## Additional Information - The Foundation encourages collaboration with community organizations and advocacy networks. - Both public and private investment, including monetized volunteer hours, are recognized as valid contributions. - Projects should contribute to the long-term sustainability and advocacy infrastructure for Philadelphia’s parks. --- ## External Links - [Program Objective & Details](https://williampennfoundation.org/objective/investment-parks) - [Environment and Public Space Program](https://williampennfoundation.org/program/environment-and-public-space) - [How to Apply for a Grant](https://williampennfoundation.org/funding/how-apply) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://williampennfoundation.org/funding/frequently-asked-questions) - [Grants Portal (Application Submission)](https://wpf.my.site.com/grantee/s/login/) - [Awarded Grants Search](https://williampennfoundation.org/funding/awarded-grants) - [Trust for Public Land’s ParkScore®](https://www.tpl.org/parkscore) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | More Info | |---------------------|-------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Jazmine da Costa | Senior Program Officer | [jdacosta@williampennfoundation.org](mailto:jdacosta@williampennfoundation.org) | [Profile & Book a Meeting](https://williampennfoundation.org/profile/jazmine-da-costa) | | Grants Team | General Inquiries | [grants@williampennfoundation.org](mailto:grants@williampennfoundation.org) | — | | Main Office | — | — | (215) 988-1830 |

Investment in Parks

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