Responsive, Accountable Local Government in Philadelphia Grant Program

The William Penn Foundation, a longstanding philanthropic institution dedicated to enhancing quality of life in the Philadelphia region, has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) under its Democracy and Civic Initiatives program. This initiative focuses on cultivating trust and civic participation among residents, particularly those from historically underrepresented communities. With this RFP, the Foundation seeks to address a pressing objective: to ensure that Philadelphians have confidence that their local government is responsive to their needs and accountable to constituent priorities. Local government plays a significant role in the daily lives of residents, influencing services such as waste collection, public education, taxation, and business permitting. Despite this impact, civic engagement at the local level remains low. For instance, voter turnout in Philadelphia for mayoral elections frequently falls below 35%, with even lower participation in other local offices. This trend is often driven by public perception that local government does not adequately listen to community voices. To counteract this, the Foundation is offering funding opportunities to support projects that bridge the gap between local government entities and the communities they serve. The RFP encourages diverse approaches and tactics that help make local governance in Philadelphia more accountable and responsive. Eligible project activities may include nonpartisan community organizing, policy advocacy, civic information dissemination, service delivery improvements, or technical assistance that directly influences local governance. Purely educational initiatives are not eligible unless they are directly tied to sustained engagement with advocacy organizations or local government processes. Applicants are encouraged to form partnerships that leverage diverse strengths, capacities, and relationships, though all applications will be assessed on individual merit. Projects must specifically target the City of Philadelphia, including any city government departments, agencies, boards, commissions, elected officials, or the School District of Philadelphia. A total of $2.5 million is available through this opportunity, with proposals under $350,000 expected to be most competitive. Importantly, at least $1 million of the total pool will be allocated to organizations with annual budgets under $1 million and/or those led by individuals from historically marginalized or excluded groups. Grants may cover project costs for up to 24 months, including expenses related to planning, community engagement, implementation, staffing, and professional development. Advocacy and lobbying are permissible with proper budget structuring, although Foundation funds cannot directly support lobbying activities. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) public charities or operate under a public charity fiduciary. Government entities are also eligible to apply. Proposed projects must be rooted in Philadelphia and must engage directly with the communities they intend to impact. Preference will be given to proposals that demonstrate clear alignment with the stated objective, prioritize inclusion, and offer a credible plan for execution supported by appropriate staffing and partnerships. Coordination with similar efforts and established relationships with target communities will also be viewed favorably during the review process. Applications must be submitted via the Foundation’s online Grants Portal by 5:00 PM ET on January 29, 2026. Selected applicants will be invited to a site visit in February 2026 as part of the final evaluation process. Final funding decisions will be made in April 2026, and successful applicants may begin project implementation in May 2026. For questions about the RFP or application process, interested parties may contact Steve Preston, Program Officer for Democracy and Civic Initiatives, at spreston@williampennfoundation.org.

Applicants must score Developing or Strong in alignment, inclusion, capacity, and partnership to be competitive.