Responsive Local Government

The William Penn Foundation is a private philanthropic organization headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a long-standing commitment to fostering strong communities through investments in education, public spaces, the arts, and civic initiatives. One of its core priorities is to support local governance systems that are more transparent, accountable, and inclusive. Through the Democracy and Civic Initiatives program, the Foundation is actively seeking to address civic engagement challenges and perceptions about the responsiveness of Philadelphia’s city government. This funding opportunity is aligned with the Foundation’s strategic goal of enhancing public confidence in local government. The Responsive Local Government initiative focuses on projects and programs that improve how residents interact with city institutions. According to a citywide poll conducted in late 2022, 65% of Philadelphians believe the city is “on the wrong track.” In response to these public sentiments, the Foundation is concentrating its efforts on initiatives that strengthen the connection between residents and city agencies, with the intention of reinforcing civic trust and participation. Eligible projects under this opportunity may include those that equip residents with advocacy tools for their neighborhoods, initiatives that enhance government agencies’ capacity to engage effectively with constituents, and efforts to increase government transparency. The Foundation emphasizes flexibility in its funding scope by inviting organizations to propose the methods and strategies they believe will be most effective in achieving these outcomes, thereby allowing for innovation tailored to the local context. This grant is geographically restricted to organizations operating in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Eligibility is not limited to any one type of organization; rather, any group with a viable project that seeks to strengthen civic interaction and accountability in the city may be considered. There is no indication of specific financial thresholds, matching requirements, or fixed award amounts, and no application open or close dates were published. Interested applicants are encouraged to inquire directly for the most up-to-date submission timeline. Evaluation of project impact will be monitored via a recurring survey developed by the Foundation to assess longitudinal changes in public trust and civic perception. The Foundation is also exploring alignment of its survey metrics with other citywide efforts, including Pew Charitable Trusts’ “State of the City” and the Lenfest Institute’s “Every Voice, Every Vote” survey. This signals a data-driven approach to program evaluation and a willingness to collaborate on broader civic measurement efforts. Applicants with questions or seeking more guidance are advised to contact Steve Preston, Program Officer for Democracy and Civic Initiatives. He can be reached via the William Penn Foundation’s main contact channels. General inquiries can be directed to the Foundation’s headquarters at Two Logan Square, Suite 1100, 100 North 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, by phone at (215) 988-1830, or via email at grants@williampennfoundation.org.