Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia 2022 Honoree Spotlight: University of Pennsylvania

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How has your company adapted in the last year to the changing needs of our community?

In October, University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill launched her “Tomorrow, Together” initiative, a university-wide effort to inform strategic next steps for Penn. Led by a Red and Blue Advisory Committee comprised of faculty, “Tomorrow, Together” asks: What do our local, national, and global communities need from Penn, and how do we rise to the challenge of meeting those needs? Under the leadership of President Magill, addressing the changing needs of our City’s vibrant communities is central to Penn’s vision for the future.

The Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia 2022 saw the greatest increase in focused support for education, environment and sustainability, and employment and workforce development. As a supporter of one or more of these areas, share more about your company’s efforts.

As the nation’s first university, Penn remains steadfast in our commitment to greater educational access and equity across Philadelphia. Penn further solidified that commitment in 2022 with a five-year, $4.1 million partnership with Henry C. Lea Elementary School that will provide broad support for the school’s key initiatives and programs. Building on years of targeted engagement, including professional development for teachers, support for families, and resources for students, this long-term investment is just one example of Penn’s substantial support for education.

Across the board, community engagement was integrated into business functions, with the highest percentage in workplace DEI programs and marketing and PR. Share one or two examples how your company has led in this field.

Community engagement is a central component of Penn’s service mission. With approximately $1 billion in spending, one of the ways in which Penn engages with our community is through our supplier diversity and inclusion programs. One such program, the Fueling Business Growth initiative, aims to leverage Penn’s purchasing power to support local minority, LGBTQ+, veteran, and women-owned businesses. Through this program, Penn increases businesses opportunities and addresses challenges facing diverse suppliers, all to the mutual enrichment of the university and our community.