Hamilton Family Charitable Trust Grant - Philadelphia, PA & the Surrounding Counties

The Hamilton Family Charitable Trust Grant supports educational initiatives in Philadelphia and surrounding counties, focusing on children and youth. The Trust prioritizes programs that improve literacy and provide equitable educational opportunities. Grants, capped at $25,000, are available for first-time applicants and require 501(c)(3) status verification. Organizations must demonstrate effective use of funds, including audited financial statements and IRS Form 990 submission. The Trust seeks to enhance lives through community-driven educational projects.

NOTE: PLEASE NOTE: THE TRUST WILL NOT BE ACCEPTING NEW LETTERS OF INTENT FOR CYCLE 2 OF 2026.
Hamilton Family Charitable Trust Grant - Philadelphia, PA & the Surrounding Counties
Our Guiding Vision
A community where strong and accessible education can expand worlds and change lives.
History of the Trust
The Hamilton Family Charitable Trust comprises two generations of the Hamilton family with a long history of philanthropy in the Philadelphia region. Since 1992, the family has been committed to improving educational opportunities for children and youth, a mission established by Dorrance Hill Hamilton (1928–2017), mother and grandmother of the family Trustees. The family extended their philanthropic reach to Palm Beach County, FL and Aquidneck Island, RI in 2017. The family convenes three times annually to honor this legacy, supporting many programs and projects that enhance the lives of the young people they serve.
Funding
First-time grants vary in range up to $25,000.

Eligibility

Who is Eligible for our Funding:Philadelphia, PA & the Surrounding Counties:Financial Documents -501(c)(3) status: first-time applications must provide documentation verifying tax-exempt status. For organizations that are part of a larger group, such as a religious affiliate, the ruling organization’s 501(c)(3) will suffice.
Organization Overall Operating Budget
Audited Financial Statements: Organizations with revenue less than $750,000 must submit their most recent two-year comparative internally prepared, reviewed, or audited financial statements. Organizations with revenue over $750,000 must submit their most recent two-year comparative financial statements audited by a CPA.
IRS Form 990: Applicants must submit the organization’s IRS Form 990. IRS Form 990 should not be older than 10.5 months after your most recent fiscal year-end.Geographical Focus -Programs supporting children and youth in Philadelphia, Chester, Montgomery, Delaware, and Camden CountiesPopulation(s) Served -Children and youth in grades K-12 in under-resourced educational environments and communities — more than 70 percent of all participants in the organization should be eligible for free or reduced-rate lunches in schools.Program Focus -Data-driven literacy-based programs focused on developing robust reading and writing skills with a strong history of success. These can be programs that:

• Take place during school hours, after school, or during the summer.
• Take place across school systems, but the funding can support only nonsectarian programming including within a religious institution.
• Grades K-8 programs should devote at least 70 percent of their time directly to instruction and activities in reading and writing.
• Grades 9-12 programs should provide innovative approaches to students in under-resourced areas for high school completion and/or post-secondary success.

Youth workforce development programs that focus on quality career exploration and preparation initiatives.Things To Consider -First-time grants: are generally designated for program support. The Trust rarely funds new staff positions for initial grants.
Continuing partners (current grantees): may apply for continued funding if they have met all the grant requirements including the submission of required reports.
Multi-year grants: requests are typically reserved for grantees with three (3) years or more of consecutive funding from the Trust. Multi-year grants require approval prior to application submission. Approval is generally communicated as a part of the response to the organization’s LOI.An organization may only apply to the Trust once per year. The Trust may request that an organization which has received funding for three continuous years (or more) delays any further applications for support for a year (or more), to expand opportunities for other potential grantees.

Ineligibility

Human Services
Programs focusing on/serving: school assembly, religious education, or college or university students
Political candidates, parties, or PACs
Debt-reduction programsPhiladelphia, Pa & the Surrounding Counties:Program Focus -College programs are not funded.