William Penn Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- William Penn Foundation prioritises work in and around Philadelphia, so only organisations active in that region fit its geographic focus.
- It funds five areas — arts and culture, children and families, democracy and civic initiatives, environment and public space, and workforce training and services — and each RFP sets its own criteria, so a strong fit with a specific RFP's objective matters.
- Most grants are modest: about eight in ten of its grants to organisations fall between $200 and $250,000, with a median of about $42,500, so a modest request is realistic, though its largest grant, to National Philanthropic Trust, an organisation it funds every year to regrant to others, shows that one far larger exception exists outside the typical pattern.
- To apply, identify the relevant RFP, create an account in its Grants Portal and submit online, as applications by email are not accepted; where there is a time-sensitive opportunity that cannot wait for a future RFP, an Open Application can be submitted through the portal at any time.
- A high share of its grant dollars, 91%, went to organisations it had also funded in the two previous years, suggesting continuing relationships feature strongly, though new applicants can still apply through the stated routes, and it does not fund individuals, sectarian religious activities, or political lobbying.
Overview
William Penn Foundation is a US private foundation based in Philadelphia, PA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Foundation seeks to connect people to more opportunities and to help create stronger, more inclusive communities in the Philadelphia region. Its five programmes are arts and culture; children and families; democracy and civic initiatives; environment and public space; and workforce training and services. Their aims include widening access to diverse arts and culture, supporting young Philadelphians’ healthy development and academic success, enabling democratic participation, protecting natural areas and community spaces, and helping Philadelphians access training for better jobs. It pays particular attention to communities historically shut out of opportunities and resources. Funding is focused on Philadelphia and the surrounding region, while each opportunity defines its geographic area.
Themes
- Arts and culture
- Children and families
- Democracy and civic initiatives
- Environment and public space
- Workforce training and services
Geographic Focus
Priority: Philadelphia and the surrounding region.
What They Don't Fund
- Individuals
- Sectarian religious activities
- Political lobbying
How to apply
Applicants choose a Request for Proposal or Open Application. For RFPs, identify the relevant objective, create an account in the Grants Portal and submit online; applications are not accepted by email. Open applications are for urgent opportunities aligned with an objective that cannot wait for a future RFP; they may be submitted through the portal at any time and are considered on a rolling basis. RFP-specific deadlines are stated with each opportunity.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 91% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 3,314 grants to organisations were about $42,500 or less.
What the foundation says:
- Each RFP sets criteria for proposals, and projects should advance its specific objective.
- Open applications are for gaps in an objective’s pursuit or time-sensitive projects that make a significant contribution toward it.
- Applicants who advance past written review take part in a site visit so staff can learn about their organisation and proposal.
- Organisations should examine the objective and criteria in an RFP; proposals that align with both are fully considered and competitive.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 3%
Outside the US or with no state on the filing: 1%
- The largest single recipient received 9% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 91% of grant dollars went to organisations William Penn Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 18% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 1,027 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $50,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- National Philanthropic Trust · Implement the rebuild initiative$7,777,2552024 tax year
- Delaware River Waterfront Corporation · Construction of penn's landing park$7,000,0002024 tax year
- Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center · Capital campaign 2024$5,000,0002024 tax year
- Fairmount Park Conservancy · Capital improvements and planning for fdr park$3,455,0842024 tax year
- Zoological Society of Philadelphia · Capital campaign 2024$3,000,0002024 tax year
- Fairmount Park Conservancy · Centennial gateway at the welsh fountain$2,500,0002024 tax year
- Philadelphia Clef Club of the Performing Arts · Capital campaign 2024$2,000,0002024 tax year
- Pennsylvania Ballet Association · Capital campaign 2024$2,000,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Nicholas Haas- Started 042024 — Associate Board Member
- Thomas Haas — Board Member / Corporate Member
- Suzanne Welsh- Left 102024 — Board Member
- Shawn McCaney — Executive Director
- Sarah Haas — Board Secretary / Corporate Member
- Robert Victor — Board Member
- Peter Haas — Board Vice Chair / Corporate Chair
- Marcel Pratt — Board Member
- Madoe Htun — Chief Investment Officer
- Lorena Ahumada — Board Member
- Leonard Haas — Board Member / Corporate Member
- Katherine Christiano — Board Chair / Corporate Vice Chair
- John Hanrahan — Board Member
- Jessica Richards — Program Director / Assistant Secretary
- Janet Haas — Board Member / Associate Corporate Member
- Elliot Weinbaum — Chief Philanthropy Officer
- Dorothy Hanrahan — Associate Board Member
- David Haas — Corporate Member
- Catherine Haas — Associate Board Member
- Bryan Ulishney — Director of Finance and Administration / Treasurer
and 2 more
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $207,861,146 | $143,502,287 | $3,236,819,790 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $181,008,307 | $153,172,581 | $3,286,225,714 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $154,225,097 | $148,834,689 | $3,435,225,624 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to William Penn Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (215) 988-1830
- grants@williampennfoundation.org
- Philadelphia, PA
- williampennfoundation.org
Applying to William Penn Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (215) 988-1830
- grants@williampennfoundation.org
- Philadelphia, PA
- williampennfoundation.org