The William Penn Foundation invites proposals for its initiative to preserve urban gardens and farms in Philadelphia. This funding opportunity supports work aimed at increasing the percentage of garden and farm parcels secure from development or legal threats—from 44% to 75% by 2035. The program aligns with the city's Urban Agriculture Plan and is part of WPF's Environment and Public Space strategic objective.
The program supports nonprofit organizations, fiscally sponsored entities, and government agencies operating in Philadelphia. It does not fund the creation of new gardens, but rather focuses on securing existing, active spaces that are already serving community needs. Proposals may include direct acquisition of land, technical or legal assistance, advocacy, education about land access, stewardship capacity building, and other strategies aimed at long-term land security.
Projects can be up to two years in duration, and there is no minimum or maximum request amount. A total of $1.5 million is available. Proposals should demonstrate community priority for the identified parcels and offer realistic strategies for securing them. Competitive proposals will show strong community involvement, stewardship practices, and a clear, feasible path to long-term preservation. Applicants are expected to clearly articulate the threat status of the parcel(s) and any acquisition plans.
All proposals are due by 5:00 PM ET on October 23, 2025. Selected applicants will be invited to site visits between November 10 and December 10, 2025, with final funding decisions made by February 6, 2026. Projects may begin as early as February 9, 2026. Grantees will also participate in a Learning Community organized by WPF to support knowledge sharing and strategy refinement across organizations working toward this objective.
Applications must be submitted via the WPF Grants Portal. A webinar will be held on September 16, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET. Questions should be directed to Jazmine da Costa at jdacosta@williampennfoundation.org.
Prioritize parcels under threat, include clear acquisition path, and align strongly with WPF's objective to secure land by 2035.
