William B Dietrich Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- The foundation's stated priority is the greater Philadelphia area, and it supports the arts with a main focus on the authentic restoration, preservation and refurbishment of artefacts, buildings and spaces of historic, architectural or aesthetic significance, so a project of that kind is the clearest fit.
- Its typical grants, the band in which about 8 in 10 of its grants to organisations fall, run from $10,000 to $770,000, with a median of $240,000, so a request should be sized to the project rather than to its largest grant of $1,300,000.
- Applications are made in writing, with an outline of the organisation and intended use of funds and an IRS determination letter showing the recipient is not a private foundation, and the IRS filing gives no deadlines, so a small nonprofit has no set date to aim for once those documents are ready.
- In the latest filing, 2% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in an earlier filing, so a first approach is not disadvantaged by a lack of prior relationship.
Overview
William B Dietrich 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 web pages about the foundation (drexel.edu), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The William B. Dietrich Foundation makes grants to support the arts throughout the greater Philadelphia area, with a primary focus on the authentic restoration, preservation and refurbishment of artefacts, buildings and other spaces of historic, architectural or aesthetic significance. This encompasses support for the care and renewal of culturally or architecturally significant objects and places, alongside arts support more broadly. It asks applicants to submit a written outline of their organisation and intended use of funds, together with an IRS determination letter showing that the recipient is not a private foundation. Its application requirements therefore call for charitable organisations to document their tax status and explain their proposed use of funds.
Themes
- Arts
- Historic restoration
- Historic preservation
- Historic refurbishment
Geographic Focus
Priority: Greater Philadelphia area. (as reported in other published sources)
How to apply
Submit a written application outlining the organisation and intended use of funds, accompanied by an IRS determination letter showing the recipient is not a private foundation.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 2% 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 31 grants to organisations were $240,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 14% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 2% of grant dollars went to organisations William B Dietrich Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- <1% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 10 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $263k (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Friends of Laurel Hill and West Laurel Hill Cemeteries · Restoration of gatehouse$1,160,0002024 tax year
- Franklin Institute · Hamilton collections gallery$500,0002024 tax year
- Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania · Renovation & repair of the step fountain$340,0002024 tax year
- Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks · Grumblethorpe historic tenant house restoration projecti$330,0002024 tax year
- Williamson College of the Trades · Doors & windows for exterior restoration of derrickson cottage$270,0002024 tax year
- Township of Lower Merion · General purposes$255,0002024 tax year
- Us Squash Racquets Association Inc · Design, construction & development of a new reception area at the armory$240,0002024 tax year
- Saint Mark's Church · Masonry work & exterior lighting of the lady chapel$54,7002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- John J Soroko Esq — Secretary & Assistant Treasurer
- Frank G Cooper Esq — President, Treasurer & Assistant
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $3,417,426 | $2,714,600 | $68,758,237 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $3,901,087 | $3,196,481 | $79,834,439 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $3,934,034 | $3,169,700 | $87,783,496 | 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
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At a glance
Applying to William B Dietrich Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (215) 979-1000
- Philadelphia, PA
Applying to William B Dietrich Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (215) 979-1000
- Philadelphia, PA