Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial Fund

The Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial, established in honor of Henrietta Tower Wurts who passed away in 1933, is a charitable foundation dedicated to serving vulnerable populations within Philadelphia. The Memorial is administered by The Philadelphia Foundation, which manages the grantmaking process and disbursement of funds as approved by the Board of Directors of the Memorial. This partnership ensures an efficient and structured approach to philanthropic giving, reinforcing the legacy and charitable vision of Henrietta Tower Wurts. The grant program under the Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial specifically supports initiatives benefiting disadvantaged children and youth, as well as the elderly, within the City of Philadelphia. The intent is to bolster programs where a modest grant, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, can have a meaningful impact. The foundation favors projects with clearly defined goals that align with the scale of resources invested, emphasizing outcomes that meaningfully enhance the lives of the targeted populations. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and operating budgets under $2.5 million. Additionally, these organizations must submit at least one year of financial data as part of the application. Both programmatic efforts and general operating expenses are eligible for support, provided they are aligned with the foundation’s focus areas of assisting disadvantaged youth and the elderly within Philadelphia. Priority is strictly given to organizations directly serving these populations, reinforcing the localized and targeted nature of the funding. The grant application process is straightforward and consists of four primary steps. First, applicants must review the eligibility criteria to ensure their qualifications. Next, applications must be submitted by the posted deadline of February 16, 2026. After submission, program staff will follow up with applicants regarding the next steps. Following the grant period, grantees are required to submit a one-page narrative report outlining how the funds were utilized and the impact achieved. The Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial does not require any pre-application materials such as letters of intent or concept papers. The process is open and direct, with applications managed through The Philadelphia Foundation. While no specific award notification timeline is published, communication with applicants after submission suggests a responsive and supportive engagement by program staff. This grant operates on an annual cycle, with applications due each year by mid-February. Based on the current deadline of February 16, 2026, and the stated recurrence, it is anticipated that the next application round will open in February 2027. Organizations interested in applying should revisit the funder's website early in the year for updated guidelines. For inquiries or assistance, applicants can contact grantmakingservices@philafound.org or reach out via phone at 215-563-6417. The Philadelphia Foundation’s office is located at 1835 Market Street, Suite 2410, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2968.