The William Penn Foundation
The William Penn Foundation is a private foundation based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that supports work connecting people in the Philadelphia region with more opportunities. Founded in 1945 as the Phoebe Waterman Foundation, it was renamed in 1974 and describes itself as a family foundation.
The William Penn Foundation at a glance
In short: The William Penn Foundation gave $148.8M across 1,027 grants in 2024 (avg $145K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 20% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $148,834,689
- -2.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1,027
- -13.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $144,922
- +11.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $3,435,225,624
- +4.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (146 of 727, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (85% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The William Penn Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its limited open-application process and invites letters of inquiry from public charities. Applicants should identify the relevant program objective and provide a project description, anticipated results, financial information, and a project budget.
- Review Cycle
- No general deadline is listed on the filing; RFPs have their own schedules.
- Deadline
- No general deadline is listed on the filing; RFPs have their own schedules.
- Contact
Application contact: Grants Co The William Penn Foundati
Mailing address: Two Logan Square Suite 1100, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 988-1830
Website: https://williampennfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
35 open opportunities from The William Penn Foundation
Accessing Mental Health Services for Young Children and Caregivers Grant
The William Penn Foundation
Amount
Up to US $999,998
Deadline
Deadline not published
Advocacy for Child-Serving Systems RFP Grant
The William Penn Foundation
Amount
Up to US $500,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Arts and Culture Capital Support Grant
The William Penn Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The William Penn Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was National Philanthropic Trust ($9.2M across 4 grants). Together the top 10 received $46.3M.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($127,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
6,053 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 3,387 grants of 6,053 (56%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated focus is the Philadelphia region. In 2024, 85% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania; the other listed recipient states were New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and New York at 3% each, and Virginia at 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 1,027 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The William Penn Foundation open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 146 of 727 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $75K; repeat grants $237K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $75K repeat.
- 71% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+16%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 100% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $110.4M (2020) to $153.2M (2023). In 2024 it made 1,027 grants totaling $148.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Philanthropic Trust Jenkintown, PA | Implement the Rebuild Initiative | $7,777,255 |
| Delaware River Waterfront Corporation Philadelphia, PA | Construction of Penn's Landing Park | $7,000,000 |
| Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center Inc Philadelphia, PA | Capital Campaign 2024 | $5,000,000 |
| Fairmount Park Conservancy Philadelphia, PA | Capital Improvements and Planning for FDR Park | $3,455,084 |
| Zoological Society of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA | Capital Campaign 2024 | $3,000,000 |
| Fairmount Park Conservancy Philadelphia, PA | Centennial Gateway at the Welsh Fountain | $2,500,000 |
| Center City District Foundation Philadelphia, PA | Reading Viaduct Acquisition & Design | $2,000,000 |
| Mann Center for the Performing Arts Philadelphia, PA | Capital Campaign 2024 | $2,000,000 |
| National Nurse-Led Care Consortium Philadelphia, PA | Basic Needs Fund for Home Visited Families. | $2,000,000 |
| Pennsylvania Ballet Association Philadelphia, PA | Capital Campaign 2024 | $2,000,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The William Penn Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,435,225,624 | $158,540,937 | $154,225,097 | $148,834,689 | 1,027 | $160,761,472 | $336,628,521 | $161,167,915 |
| 2023 | $3,286,225,714 | $108,930,400 | $181,008,307 | $153,172,581 | 1,180 | $165,432,662 | $239,071,512 | $156,338,872 |
| 2022 | $3,236,819,790 | $79,917,908 | $207,861,146 | $143,502,287 | 1,107 | $152,864,246 | $68,233,496 | $169,924,894 |
| 2021 | $3,919,486,888 | $378,565,953 | $157,448,356 | $127,789,285 | 1,393 | $136,065,478 | $420,962,299 | $166,723,899 |
| 2020 | $3,219,138,685 | $175,834,650 | $122,796,252 | $110,407,496 | 1,346 | — | $165,985,796 | $133,279,349 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The William Penn Foundation reported a distributable amount of $161.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated purpose is to connect more people to more opportunities in the Philadelphia region and improve quality of life there. Its program areas include expanding access to arts and culture; supporting the healthy development and academic success of young Philadelphians; enabling participation in democratic processes; protecting and improving natural areas and community spaces; and helping Philadelphians access training for better jobs.
The foundation says it prioritizes communities affected by economic inequity, discrimination, and other forms of injustice; elevates community voice; values collaboration and transparency; and seeks to minimize and respond to climate change. It makes grants to organizations advancing program objectives. Examples among its 2024 recipients include the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, whose stated mission is to maintain and promote the use and development of Philadelphia’s waterfront; the Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, which says it is dedicated to promoting the arts; and Fairmount Park Conservancy, which says it works with the city and communities to steward parks and support shared environmental, cultural, and public-health resources.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 1,027 grants totaling $148,834,689. Grant amounts ranged from $45 to $7,777,255, with a median of $50,000.
Among its largest reported 2024 grants were $7,777,255 to National Philanthropic Trust for the Rebuild Initiative; $7,000,000 to Delaware River Waterfront Corporation for construction of Penn’s Landing Park; $5,000,000 to the Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center for a capital campaign; and $3,455,084 to Fairmount Park Conservancy for capital improvements and planning for FDR Park. The foundation also reported a $3,000,000 capital-campaign grant to the Zoological Society of Philadelphia.
The website describes Requests for Proposals as the primary funding route, with more limited open applications for proposals that address a funding gap or a time-sensitive opportunity. Its application process uses one standard application across programs. Applicants submit a written proposal and project budget; proposals that advance past the initial review may involve a site visit, and the board makes final funding decisions. The website estimates about 90 days between application and decision. The 2024 filing says the foundation is interested in letters of inquiry from public charities, including a project description, anticipated results, and applicant financial information. It states that grants are restricted to qualifying public charities supporting the foundation’s priorities and are not made to individuals, for sectarian religious activities, or for political lobbying.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Elliot Weinbaum as Chief Philanthropy Officer, Bryan Ulishney as Director of Finance and Administration/Treasurer, and Jessica Richards as Program Director/Assistant Secretary. It also lists Allison Acevedo, Andrew Haas, and John Hanrahan as board members; Catherine Haas and Dorothy Hanrahan as associate board members; David Haas as a corporate member; and Janet Haas as a board member/associate corporate member.
The William Penn Foundation is led by Shawn McCaney, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 5 of 22 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Shawn McCaney
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$422K (2020) → $484K (2024)
Katherine Christiano
Board Chair & Corp Vice Chair
Board Vice Chair, Secretary & Corp Member → Board Chair & Corp Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bryan Ulishney
Director of Finance, Administrator & Treasurer
Director Finance, Administrator, Treasurer & Assistant Secretary → Director Finance, Administrator & Treasurer, 2023
Director Finance, Administrator & Treasurer → Director of Finance, Administrator & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$212K (2020) → $373K (2024)
Jessica Richards
Program Director & Assistant Secretary
Assistant Secretary → Program Director & Assistant Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$190K (2023) → $200K (2024)
Madoe Htun
Chief Investment Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$1M (2020) → $1.4M (2024)
Elliot Weinbaum
Chief Philanthropy Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$316K (2023) → $352K (2024)
Andrew Haas
Board Member
Board Member & Corp Member → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Haas
Corp Member
Corporation Chair → Board Member & Corp Member, 2022
Board Member & Corp Member → Corp Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janet Haas
Board Member & Associate Corp Member
Board Chair & Associate Corp Member → Board Member & Associate Corp Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Hanrahan
Board Member
Associate Board Member → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leonard Haas
Board Member & Corp Member
Board Member & Corp Member → Corp Member, 2022
Corp Member → Board Member & Corp Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter Haas
Board Vice Ch & Corp Ch
Secretary & Corp Member → Board Vice Ch, Board Secretary & Corp Ch, 2023
Board Vice Ch, Board Secretary & Corp Ch → Board Vice Ch & Corp Ch, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Victor
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Haas
Board Secretary & Corp Member
Board Member → Board Member & Associate Corp Member, 2022
Board Member & Associate Corp Member → Board Secretary & Corp Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas W. Haas
Board Member & Corp Member
Board Member & Corp Member → Board Member & Corp Vice Chair, 2021
Board Member & Corp Vice Chair → Board Member & Corp Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dorothy Hanrahan
Associate Board Member
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lorena Ahumada
Board Member
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marcel Pratt
Board Member
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Allison Acevedo
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Haas
Associate Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicholas Haas
Associate Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Suzanne Welsh- Left
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Christina Haas (2020–2023) — Board Member & Corp Member
- Former: Suzanne Welsh (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Donald Kimelman (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Claire Lomax Left (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Claire Lomax (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Howard L. Meyers (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Katherine Hanrahan (2020) — Board Vice Chair & Corp Member
- Former: Michael Pearson (2020) — Board Member
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $1.4M, to Madoe Htun (Chief Investment Officer). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The William Penn Foundation
How much does The William Penn Foundation give each year?
The William Penn Foundation gave $148.8M across 1,027 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $153.2M across 1,180 grants.
What is The William Penn Foundation's typical grant size?
The William Penn Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $144,922, across 1,027 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The William Penn Foundation that year got $75K on average.
Where does The William Penn Foundation give grants?
The William Penn Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (532 grants), Washington, DC (43 grants), New York, NY (39 grants) and Harrisburg, PA (17 grants).
Does The William Penn Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 31% of The William Penn Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (317 of 1,027) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Arts and Culture Hubs FY2023, FY2024, FY2025" (17 grants), "Membership 2024" (10 grants) and "Pa Schools Work" (9 grants).
Who are The William Penn Foundation's largest grantees?
The William Penn Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include National Philanthropic Trust ($9,197,255 across 4 grants), Delaware River Waterfront Corporation ($7,255,000 across 2 grants) and Philadelphia City Fund ($6,221,647 across 13 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($127,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The William Penn Foundation?
The William Penn Foundation reported $3.4B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $160.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $161.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The William Penn Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to connect more people to more opportunities in the Philadelphia region and improve quality of life there. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The William Penn Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its limited open-application process and invites letters of inquiry from public charities. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The William Penn Foundation's EIN?
The William Penn Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-1503488. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The William Penn Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The William Penn Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The William Penn Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-william-penn-foundation-morg_96b5253978bb42d19421e257f8c6f9ac
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_231503488_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The William Penn Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-william-penn-foundation-morg_96b5253978bb42d19421e257f8c6f9ac},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The William Penn Foundation'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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