William Penn Foundation Awards $8 Million to Support Small Arts and Culture Organizations

The initiative will increase access to general operating support for organizations with budgets below $1.5 million

PHILADELPHIA, November 18th, 2024 – The William Penn Foundation (WPF) recently awarded $8 million to the Philadelphia Cultural Fund (PCF) to manage a four-year initiative providing small arts and culture organizations with general operating support grants and capacity strengthening services. Among the largest arts and culture grants awarded in the Foundation’s 75+ year history, this initiative is projected to benefit 200+ organizations with small operating budgets under $1.5 million. 

“Many small arts and culture organizations have very limited staff, making it hard to identify and access sources of funding,” explained William Penn Foundation Chief Philanthropy Officer Elliot Weinbaum. “PCF has a process in place to reduce those barriers. We are pleased to be able to match the funding provided to PCF by the City of Philadelphia to support the small arts organizations that play such important cultural, social, and civic roles in our communities.” 

PCF – a trusted source of information and funding among Philadelphia’s arts and culture ecosystem since 1991 – was strategically selected for this initiative because of its longstanding relationships with and deep knowledge of the city’s small and mid-sized arts organizations. With an accessible open application, robust peer review process, and experience providing general operating grants, PCF has the infrastructure to support smaller organizations.  

“This transformative investment from the William Penn Foundation will expand PCF’s reach, deepen our trust-based philanthropic impact, and provide vital general operating support for our dynamic and diverse portfolio of grantees,” explained Philadelphia Cultural Fund Executive Director Gabriela Sanchez. “With our shared commitment to embracing the boundless potential of Philadelphia’s creative spirit, we are excited to continue expanding access to much-needed unrestricted funding for the city’s small arts and culture organizations.” 

In 2026 and 2028, eligible organizations will have the opportunity to apply for PCF’s Art & Culture Grants. This year, as part of PCF’s strategic planning, they will develop a process to award additional matching funds to a subset of organizations that apply and meet additional eligibility criteria. Beyond financial support, this subset of grantees who receive the matching funds will also gain access to capacity-building workshops, including organizational development, financial planning, and marketing, to strengthen their long-term impact and sustainability. 

"We applaud the William Penn Foundation for its transformative investment in the arts and culture organizations that are the lifeblood of Philadelphia's cultural community," said Patricia Wilson Aden, President & CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. "The multi-year funding, through the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, will offer critical financial stability to the organizations that represent the rich diversity of our city's creative sector, enabling them to strengthen their operations, retain quality staff and deliver dynamic, innovative programming." 

“Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own culture, community, and needs,” said Val Gay, Chief Cultural Officer, City of Philadelphia. “The small arts organizations PCF supports provide high quality, hyperlocal services, often filling a niche no other organization in the city can. This funding will expand their positive impact.”

About William Penn Foundation
The William Penn Foundation, founded in 1945 by Otto and Phoebe Haas, is committed to expanding access to resources and opportunities that promote a more vital and just city and region for all. We do this through funding programs in the Philadelphia region in arts and culture, children and families, democracy and civic initiatives, environment and public space, and workforce training and services. Learn more at www.williampennfoundation.org.

About Philadelphia Cultural Fund
The Philadelphia Cultural Fund was established in 1991 as a 501(c)(3) organization to provide funds to enhance the cultural life and vitality of the City of Philadelphia and its residents. PCF is managed by a professional philanthropy staff, with governance provided by a board of directors (BOD) comprised of arts leaders, community members, and representatives named by the Mayor and City Council President.

Each year, PCF provides operating support to Philadelphia-based arts and culture organizations. These grants are made from an allocation to PCF from the City budget. The grants support organizations dedicated to the creation, education, preservation, exhibition, and presentation of a variety of arts and culture disciplines. PCF is committed to removing barriers to grant applications, especially for small, community-based arts organizations that are traditionally considered ineligible for funding support.