Voter Participation
Forecasted
Voter Participation supports organizations working with underrepresented Pennsylvania communities through nonpartisan voter education, outreach, and advocacy to increase turnout and narrow racial turnout gaps.
Funder: William Penn Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): July 2027 (Proposal deadline)
Funding Amounts: 2026 RFP: $2.5 million total; up to $500,000 per organization for 24 months
Summary: Supports nonpartisan efforts to increase voter participation in Philadelphia and among underrepresented communities in Pennsylvania.
Key Information: Voter registration activities are ineligible; funded work must be nonpartisan and charitable.
Description
Voter Participation is an objective of the William Penn Foundation’s Democracy and Civic Initiatives program. It supports nonpartisan efforts to help eligible voters understand why voting matters and how to access the electoral process, particularly among people underrepresented in the electorate. Supported approaches include outreach, organizing, voter education, advocacy, research, polling, communications, and journalism.
The objective seeks to raise turnout in Philadelphia’s 2031 general election above the 31% recorded in 2023 and bring turnout among Pennsylvania’s communities of color in the 2032 presidential election to the same level as overall turnout. Competitive projects focus on groups with lower participation associated with race, age, income, education, disability, geography, or other demonstrated factors. The Foundation encourages partnerships that combine complementary strengths, resources, and expertise.
