KEY TO COMMUNITY GRANTMAKING

Bringing nonprofits and the public together to accelerate community impact

Nothing is more important than building stronger communities. That’s why in 2019 the Philadelphia Foundation launched a $1 million first-of-its-kind public grantmaking initiative in Philadelphia, entitled the Key to Community Grants. Its goal is to accelerate the impact of nine solutions that are working and can be scaled and sustained to meet a significant community need or opportunity.

 

Philadelphians in the seven-county area decided which ideas will receive a total $1 million in funding to flourish into action-oriented programs that enhance the quality of life in the Greater Philadelphia Region.

 

Winners have been announced! Visit the results page.

 

Why we invited the public to vote.

There are three thematic categories of the Key to Community Grants

Economic Prosperity

Enhancing paths to financial stability and success, especially for those in low- to moderate-income communities

 

Co-presented by

 

The Opportunity Divide

Improving access, preparedness and equity, from foundational digital literacy to career pathways and real-world applications

 

Co-presented by

 

Public Voting

The general public had the final say in awarding first, second and third prizes to nine finalists across three categories. Three first place winners will receive $200,000 each; three second place winners will be awarded $100,000 each and three third-place winners will receive $33,000 each.

 

Representatives from all nine finalist organizations will also be invited to participate in the Philadelphia Foundation’s Leadership Institute in the fall of 2019, and will be included in opportunities for targeted leadership development scholarships and expanded professional network building.

 

Close to 200 nonprofit organizations serving Philadelphia, Bucks, Burlington, Camden, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties applied for the Key to Community grants.

 

A review panel comprised of Philadelphia Foundation staff, representatives from the grants’ co-presenters and independent experts in the fields of philanthropy and community solutions determined a list of 15 initiatives for public voting through research, interviews and evaluation.