The Philadelphia City Institute
The Philadelphia City Institute supports various programs of the free library foundation of philadelphia and it leases the real property, for a one dollar a year rent, to the city of philadelphia to be used as a free library.
The Philadelphia City Institute at a glance
In short: The Philadelphia City Institute gave $347K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $347K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $346,897
- +23.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $346,897
- +23.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $346,897
- Total assets
- $6,100,965
- +1.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Philadelphia City Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation ($347K).
Grant Size Distribution
6 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 5 grants of 6 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How The Philadelphia City Institute gives
- Giving grew 26% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $275K (2021) to $347K (2024). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $347K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation Philadelphia, PA | Support Library | $346,897 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6,100,965 | $479,283 | $369,929 | $346,897 | 1 | $479,283 |
| 2023 | $5,989,411 | $869,679 | $328,651 | $280,000 | 1 | $869,679 |
| 2022 | $5,448,383 | $279,894 | $371,295 | $327,000 | 2 | $279,894 |
| 2021 | $5,539,784 | $653,322 | $324,351 | $275,000 | 1 | $653,322 |
| 2020 | $5,210,814 | $572,122 | $346,227 | $300,000 | 1 | $572,122 |
About The Philadelphia City Institute
Based on IRS filings
The Philadelphia City Institute is a public charity, based in Philadelphia, PA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $6.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $347K. Net investment income was $479K.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Philadelphia City Institute is led by James Hill, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 13 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
James Hill
President
Board Manager → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barry N. Eiswerth
Board Manager
Vice President → Board Manager, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles T. Lee III
Board Manager
President → Board Manager, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hans Bombeck
Board Manager
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Huntley Platt
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Josh Byrne
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lewis L. Neilson Jr. Esq.
Board Manager
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Rp Distefano Esq.
Associate Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sara Biemiller
Board Manager
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Priscilla Lo
Vice President
Board Manager → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jahlee Hatchett
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rachael Katz
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Radhika Cobb
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Cirel Magen (2020–2023) — Board Manager
- Former: George Reath Jr. Esq. (2020–2023) — Board Manager
- Former: Priscilla Lukens (2020–2023) — Board Manager
- Former: Deidre Farmbry (2021–2023) — Board Manager
- Former: Ray Edgerton (2020–2022) — Board Manager
- Former: Rita Hunter (2020–2022) — Board Manager
- Former: John Blickensderfer (2020) — Board Manager
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Philadelphia City Institute
How much does The Philadelphia City Institute give each year?
The Philadelphia City Institute gave $347K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $280K across 1 grant.
How large is The Philadelphia City Institute?
The Philadelphia City Institute reported $6.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $479K.
Where does The Philadelphia City Institute operate?
The Philadelphia City Institute has awarded grants in Pennsylvania.
What is The Philadelphia City Institute's EIN?
The Philadelphia City Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7142182. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Philadelphia City Institute's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from The Philadelphia City Institute's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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