The William Penn Foundation invites nonprofit organizations to apply for its Arts and Culture grant programs, with the next round of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) opening on March 18 2026, and closing on April 23, 2026. The Foundation, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, focuses on funding initiatives that promote sustainable and positive change in the Greater Philadelphia region. With a commitment to arts, children and families, environment, and civic initiatives, the Foundation provides strategic support through structured RFP cycles.
The Arts and Culture program encompasses several grant types, including General Operating Support, Capital Support, Arts Education Programming (with both community-based and school-based options), and general programming grants. Each funding track aims to strengthen Philadelphia's cultural landscape by investing in organizations that foster access to arts, support artistic excellence, and advance community engagement through diverse creative expression. Funded projects should align with the Foundation’s objective of supporting vibrant cultural participation across communities.
Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations, which may include those with fiscal sponsorships. While the Foundation strongly encourages applicants to respond to RFPs, it also maintains an open application pathway for time-sensitive projects that align with specific objectives and cannot await a future RFP cycle. These are reviewed on a rolling basis. The Foundation recommends early engagement with relevant program officers for open submissions to ensure alignment with funding priorities.
The grant application process is streamlined through a central Grants Portal. Applicants must create an account to submit proposals, which must include a project budget and narrative responses. Proposal components include detailed project descriptions, alignment with strategic objectives, engagement with intended beneficiaries, staffing plans, and financial statements. All grants awarded through RFPs undergo a three-month review period from submission to board decision, with awarded work typically beginning shortly after the decision period.
Applicants should note that the Foundation follows the IRS Project Grant Rule and does not allow grant funds to be earmarked for lobbying. Required attachments include current and prior year financial statements, IRS Form 990, and other organizational documents. Projects involving partnerships should clearly articulate collaborative roles and resource sharing. The Foundation may add a set overhead percentage to awarded funds based on the organization's annual budget size.
Emphasize alignment with Foundation objectives and clarity in project rationale. Prior engagement with staff is encouraged.
