Arts and Culture Programming Grant

Arts and Culture Programming Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: William Penn Foundation
Last Updated: March 09, 2026

Summary

The William Penn Foundation's Arts and Culture Programming aims to enhance access to diverse high-quality arts experiences for all Philadelphians. With a focus on inclusivity and equity, this initiative invites proposals for projects that address historic inequities in arts access and engage communities through performances and exhibitions. Organizations with less than $750,000 in annual expenses are encouraged to apply for funding to support innovative and welcoming arts initiatives that enrich the cultural landscape through 2035.

Overview

Our Mission The William Penn Foundation is committed to expanding access to resources and opportunities that promote a more vital and just city and region for all. Arts and Culture Programming We are requesting proposals for projects up to two years in duration that will increase opportunities for people across the region to engage with a range of high-quality arts and culture experiences. This funding opportunity is for organizations with less than $750,000 in annual operating expenses. Projects should have activities beginning after February 2026. Proposed projects must focus on inclusive and equitable opportunities presented in welcoming ways to people with diverse abilities and backgrounds. After reviewing proposals WPF will conduct site visits and gather additional information from a limited number of applicants. Organizations that propose projects in partnership with other applicants will be considered on their individual merits. However, the Foundation recognizes that making significant progress on the objective is difficult and encourages organizations to include partnerships that leverage complementary strengths, resources, and expertise to reach proposed goals. Proposals that include a “series” or multiple activities must be unified by a clear curatorial premise. Objective This specific Request for Proposals (RFP) was created to help organizations to advance the following objective: By 2035, 250 arts and culture programs or projects funded by WPF will be intentionally designed, developed, and presented to prioritize creative experiences and inclusive, welcoming practices to engage people of diverse abilities and backgrounds. The foundation recognizes that there are many ways that organizations and communities can contribute to advancing this objective. With that understanding, this RFP imposes few limitations on the approach that applicants may take. All projects must make arts and culture experiences accessible to audiences and be driven by skilled artists and culture bearers. Proposals may focus on one artistic discipline or be multi-disciplinary and may have a small geographic focus or seek to provide programming on a citywide or county scale. Regardless of the approach, all applicants should describe a compelling explanation for how their proposed work will make tangible improvements in the quality of life for residents of Philadelphia. Funding WPF has $3 million available to advance this objective through this RFP. WPF values diverse approaches from various organizations and communities to address the objective. We aim to attract and fund a range of projects. There is no minimum amount of funding that projects may request. And while there is no absolute maximum amount that can be requested, the most competitive proposals will be those with total grant requests of under $300,000 (over two years). The grant amount requested should be commensurate with the contributions that the project will make to the overall objective.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicants must be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)3 public charities or operate under a public charity fiduciary. Applicants must adequately compensate artists/creators for their involvement. Eligible organizations include:Artist collectives:a group of artists who come together to collaborate, share resources, and work towards common creative and/or social goals.Arts and culture organizations: organizations with a mission that centers on the creation, performance, and/or presentation of artistic and cultural programs and experiences.Community-based organizations: local, nonprofit groups that work to improve conditions for and directly serve the needs of their communities.Public institutions: government entities and agencies.The majority of our funding will be awarded to projects in the City of Philadelphia. However, projects in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties, and the City of Camden, NJ will also be considered.WPF funds the following disciplines: dance, design, folk and traditional arts, literary arts, media arts, music, musical theater, opera, multidisciplinary arts, theater, and visual arts.

Ineligibility

Projects focused on arts learning and youth should refer to the Arts Education objectives for potential eligibility.The Foundation will not fund a program/project that is currently supported through a William Penn Foundation grant.