Investment in Parks Grant

Investment in Parks Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: William Penn Foundation
Last Updated: June 30, 2025

Summary

The Investment in Parks initiative aims to increase Philadelphia's annual per capita park spending from $86 to $95 by 2035, as reported by the Trust for Public Land's ParkScore. This funding is crucial for enhancing the quality of life for residents and maintaining parks effectively. Currently, Philadelphia's park investment is below the national median, highlighting the need for greater financial commitment to foster community engagement and support for park improvement efforts.

Overview

Investment in Parks By 2035, increase three-year average annual per capita park spending from $86 to $95 as tallied by the Trust for Public Land's ParkScore. A well-funded and well-maintained park system contributes to the quality of life of all Philadelphians. According to the 2024 ParkScore report, total park investment in Philadelphia is $86 per person—aggregating park and recreation spending across all agencies and organizations within the city, including monetized volunteer hours for publicly accessible parks and recreation in the city. Included in this investment is the three-year average of the City of Philadelphia budget of $62 per person to fund Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. That's well below the national median of $106 per person for park budgets. However, Philadelphia does boast an unusually high level of investment from volunteer hours and private groups – $25 per person vs. the national average of $8 [1]. This suggests the presence of a large and active base of residents motivated to improve their parks. In order to improve the quality of Philadelphia’s parks, we are seeking ways to increase available funding for maintenance and operations. In advancing this objective, we recognize that there are many ways that organizations and communities can work to increase investment in Philadelphia’s parks and build a lasting network of advocates to support those efforts. We measure progress on this objective using the Trust for Public Land’s ParkScore on per-person (or per capita) funding for parks and recreation.

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.

Application Details

Request for Proposals
Published June 18, 2025 Due July 25, 2025
William Penn Foundation
Two Logan Square, Suite 1100
100 North 18th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
williampennfoundation.org

Photo: J. Fusco for Historic Philadelphia, Inc.
The William Penn Foundation (WPF) has a long history of investing in efforts to
improve environmental conditions for residents of Greater Philadelphia. The
Foundation’s Environment and Public Space program was created to help improve
and protect the natural and built environment in communities around the region. A
full description of the Environment and Public Space program, its goal, and its
objectives can be found on the Foundation’s website. This Request for Proposals (RFP)
was created to help organizations to advance the following objective, which was
developed in consultation with many stakeholders around the region:
By 2035, increase three-year average annual per capita park
spending from $86 to $95 as tallied by the Trust for Public Land's
ParkScore®.1
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1 This objective was defined prior to the release of our new strategic plan in mid-2024. Recently released information, discussed
further in the “Background” section of this document, shows that the target dollar amount may no longer be applicable. With
additional data, we will consider revising the target amounts in the future, but will preserve the intent of this objective: to increase
public and private investment in Philadelphia parks (defined broadly to include municipal recreation centers and playgrounds).
Request for Proposals: Increasing Investment in Philadelphia Parks 2

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. Projects must be likely to increase investment in the
Philadelphia parks and recreation system and may focus on advocacy,
fundraising, increased volunteerism, policy or systems change, outreach
and education, or other ways to advance the objective. Proposals may
focus on increasing investments for a single park or across the City’s parks
and recreation system.
Regardless of the approach, all applicants should provide a compelling
explanation for how their proposed work will advance the objective above.
The specific criteria that will be used to assess all proposals can be found
on pages 7-8 of this document.
Why is the Foundation using a Request for Proposals to advance this objective?
The Foundation has chosen to advance this objective using a Request for Proposals for several reasons. First, we believe
that stakeholders across the region have a great deal of expertise and experience that can be supported to make
progress on an objective that we heard was important to communities in our region. We want to hear about the
impactful projects that are underway or could get underway and need funding. Second, we want to be as transparent as
possible about the opportunity for non-profit organizations in the region to secure funding for work to advance this
objective. Third, we heard from applicants and grantees in the past that our grant application process was overly
burdensome, had unpredictable timelines, and did not provide sufficient information about the funding availability or
the criteria used in selecting grantees. Fourth, we heard that applicants wanted an opportunity to show Foundation staff
their work, not just tell them about it. The RFP process, including site visits as described below, is part of our effort to
address this important feedback and to align with the Foundation’s grantmaking values (as detailed on our website).
Request for Proposals: Increasing Investment in Philadelphia Parks 3

A well-funded, well-maintained, and actively programmed parks and recreation
system contributes to the quality of life of all Philadelphians. It contributes to the
environmental, social, and economic health of our city.
One measure of the strength of a city’s parks and recreation system is the ParkScore®, published annually by the Trust for
Public Land (TPL). ParkScore is a comprehensive measure of the 100 most populous U.S. cities’ urban parks systems. TPL
and the ParkScore evaluate cities’ parks systems based on five key criteria: access, equity, acreage, investment, and
amenities. The score provides a standardized 0–100 ranking that allows for comparison and highlights strengths and
gaps in public park access and quality. ParkScore reflects not just the quantity of parks, but also their distribution,
quality, and equity of access. A higher ParkScore signals that a city is investing in public well-being, resilience, and
community development — making it a valuable benchmark for policymakers, planners, and residents.
In addition to objectives focused on improving parks and public spaces, expanding programming in parks and other
outdoor spaces, and increasing the number of urban trees, WPF has identified investment in parks as a key objective to
improve residents’ environments. We are using one of the calculations provided by ParkScore as a consistent,
transparent, and publicly accessible metric of progress on this objective. To calculate total investment, ParkScore
aggregates spending for publicly accessible parks and recreation facilities across all public agencies and private
organizations, including monetized volunteer hours. To minimize the effect of annual fluctuations, investment in parks is
reported as a three-year average based on the three most recently finalized fiscal years.
The Foundation’s current objective focused on increasing investment in parks was announced in 2024 and is based on
the 2024 ParkScore, in which Philadelphia's park system was ranked 32nd nationally, earning a score of 57.5 out of 100.
The city excelled in park access, with 95% of residents living within a 10-minute walk to a park. However, it lagged in
investment, spending approximately $86 per capita, below the national average of $124. For comparison, Washington,
D.C., which ranked first in park system quality, spent $284 per person in 2024.
Philadelphia's Parks & Recreation
Department oversees a network of
over 10,000 acres of public land and
hundreds of facilities.
Request for Proposals: Increasing Investment in Philadelphia Parks 4

By 2025, Philadelphia improved its standing in the ParkScore ranking to 28th place, with a score of 63.1, and per capita
investment of $112. Investments through the Rebuild initiative, the addition of amenities like recreation centers and
splash pads, and growth in the percentage of residents with nearby park access all contributed to the increased score.
The progress from 2024 to 2025 highlights Philadelphia's commitment to enhancing its parks and recreation system,
focusing on increased investment and accessibility. Park advocates argue that increased support, whether through
dedicated city allocations, public-private partnerships, volunteerism, or innovative financing mechanisms, is critical to
ensuring that all neighborhoods, particularly those historically underserved, have access to safe, well-maintained, and
vibrant green spaces. As improvements continue to be made, the Foundation will likely set a new target to pursue over
the next ten years. Regardless of the specific dollar figure that is identified, the Foundation will continue to support
efforts to increase sustainable investment in our parks system.
Request for Proposals: Increasing Investment in Philadelphia Parks 5

The Foundation seeks to support efforts that will increase investment in
Philadelphia’s parks and recreation facilities. Proposals can include efforts to increase
investment from public or private sources, develop or strengthen innovative
community initiatives, expand volunteer efforts, or other projects that are likely to
yield increased sustainable investments in our parks and recreation sites. Funding can
support system-wide applied research, capacity building, communications, advocacy,
coalition building, and other appropriate activities. Projects can focus on individual
sites or across the entire parks and recreation system.
We are requesting proposals for one- to two-year projects. After reviewing proposals, WPF will conduct site visits and
gather additional information from a limited number of organizations.
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.
The Foundation recognizes that there are many different tactics or approaches that could be used to advance the
objective stated above. It is our aim to fund projects that have results that can be sustained over time. We are especially
eager to see proposals for projects that draw in new public and private constituents, employ new or innovative funding
strategies, and/or target areas of the system or city that have been chronically under resourced. All proposals that meet
the criteria described below are encouraged.
WPF has $2.5 million available to advance this objective through this RFP. WPF values diverse approaches from various
organizations and communities to address the objective, and we aim to attract and fund a range of projects. There is no
minimum or maximum amount of funding that projects may request. The grant amount requested should be
commensurate with the contribution that the project will make to the overall objective.
Eligibility
Applicants must be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)3 public charities or operate under a public
charity fiduciary. Public charities include community-based organizations, schools and educational institutions, and
other types of public-serving groups. Government entities are also eligible to apply.
Proposed projects should have a strong likelihood of increasing investment in municipally owned parks, recreation
centers, and playgrounds in the city of Philadelphia.
Request for Proposals: Increasing Investment in Philadelphia Parks 6

Proposals will be judged on the criteria below. Applicants should address these criteria in their narrative responses
to the application questions.
Alignment with Objective
Absent Emergent Developing Strong
Conveys no meaningful Would make a marginal Proposed work would make a clear Proposed work would make a
connection to the RFP and/or uncertain contribution contribution to advancing the RFP clear and major contribution to
objective. to advancing the RFP objective. advancing the RFP objective.
objective.
Beneficiaries
Absent Emergent Developing Strong
Does not identify Identified beneficiaries of the Project beneficiaries are identified, Project beneficiaries are
expected beneficiaries project do not include include prioritized communities, and identified, include prioritized
of the project. prioritized communities. will significantly benefit from the communities, and will receive
proposed work. significant and major benefits from
the proposed work.
Meaningful Community Engagement
Absent Emergent Developing Strong
No meaningful Limited engagement of Meaningful engagement of Robust and sustained engagement
engagement of community in preparation of community in development of of community in preparation of
community in proposal or implementation of proposal or implementation of proposal and implementation of
preparation of proposal proposed work. project. proposed work.
or implementation of
proposed work.
Partnership and Collaboration
Absent Emergent Developing Strong
Does not address Identified relevant partners Identifies relevant partners and fully Identifies relevant partners, fully
partnerships that will be but does not describe the describes collaboration with those describes the role that partners will
necessary for success. role that partners will play in partners. play in the proposed work, and
the proposed work. provides evidence of partners’
commitment to fulfilling the roles
described such as through an
included letter of support.
Organizational Capacity
Absent Emergent Developing Strong
Insufficient evidence of Evidence of leadership, Evidence of leadership, resources, Evidence of all necessary leadership,
leadership, resources, resources, staffing and/or staffing and partnerships, and some resources, staffing, and partnerships
staffing, partnerships, partnerships, but insufficient experience with successful in place to achieve project goal.
and/or experience evidence of ability to implementation of the type of work Applicant and/or partners also have
necessary to achieve successfully implement work being proposed. extensive experience with successful
project goals. of the type being proposed. implementation of the type of work
being proposed.
Request for Proposals: Increasing Investment in Philadelphia Parks 7

Project Design and Feasibility
Absent Emergent Developing Strong
Does not provide a clear, Provides a clear approach to Provides a clear approach to the Provides a clear approach to the
specific, or realistic the work, but some aspects of work and successful outcomes are work that describes the
approach to the work. the approach are vague or defined and achievable. Some organizational capacity to carry
Project outcomes and seem unrealistic. Project aspects of the project design may out the proposed project, a
success are not clear and outcomes are defined, but are require further clarification to feasible plan to implement the
well-defined. of uncertain achievability, assess feasibility. work, and a plan to track project
based on the details provided. outcomes and the impact on the
RFP objective.
Request for Proposals: Increasing Investment in Philadelphia Parks 8

Grantees will be expected to complete a brief written report each year describing how
they have made progress toward the objective above and what they have learned
during the year.
In addition, organizations funded through this RFP will be convened in a Learning Community to build networks among
those advancing a common objective, to share learning and best practices, and to identify ways in which progress could
be enhanced. Grantees will help to determine the frequency, content, and specific goals of the Learning Community. The
overhead funding included with any awarded grants is, in part, meant to help subsidize staff participation in the Learning
Community.
Webinar
Interested organizations are invited to participate in an optional
informational webinar on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM ET.
Register for the webinar at https://lu.ma/williampennfoundation.
Request for Proposals: Increasing Investment in Philadelphia Parks 9

Project budgets should cover up to two years of funding. Organizations are
encouraged to build on their existing programs, using WPF funding to supplement or
enhance those efforts.
Project budgets should be all-inclusive, including any fees to partner organizations or consultants. This information can
be provided in the proposal narrative.
Except in rare circumstances, total funding from WPF should not exceed 25% of an organization’s operating budget.
This RFP will not be funding capital expenses. All other aspects of project development and execution, including
planning, materials, communications, outreach, and staffing, are eligible for funding.
Request for Proposals: Increasing Investment in Philadelphia Parks 10

Before you apply, please review the questions below. If June 18, 2025
you can confidently answer “yes” to the questions, this Proposal submission
period opens.
funding opportunity may be relevant to you. If you respond
“no” to any of the questions, this opportunity is not a good
June 24, 2025
match for your project, and you should not apply.
Informational Webinar
(see page 9)
YES NO
Is your project likely to increase funding for parks and
July 25, 2025
recreation centers in Philadelphia?
Is your organization a 501(c)3 nonprofit or a government Proposals due by 5:00PM ET
agency?
August 6-11, 2025
Please also review all of the criteria on pages 7-8 and make sure that your
Select applicants notified
program aligns with those.
that their proposals have
been chosen for further
If you answered “yes” to all of the questions above and meet the stated criteria,
consideration and a site
the application process begins by completing a proposal on our online submission
visit. Other applicants
system at https://wpf.my.site.com/grantee. Submit your application by 5:00PM ET
will be notified that their
on July 25, 2025. A WPF team will review all proposals and will notify applicants if proposals are not
they have been selected to move forward in the review process. To download a advancing in the process.
working copy of the application to draft responses, please click here.
August 11-September
Selected organizations will take part in a site visit with WPF staff so that the
Foundation can learn more about applicants’ work. Site visits will be 5, 2025
approximately two hours in duration. We ask that organizations use this time to
Site visits conducted by
introduce key staff working on the proposed project, to show WPF staff where the WPF staff with selected
work will take place, and to elevate the voices of the potential beneficiaries of the applicants.
proposed project. Based on a combination of the written materials and the
learning from the site visit, a final slate of organizations will be recommended to
October 24, 2025
the WPF Board for consideration of their proposals.
WPF Board review
This request or any subsequent response does not commit William Penn Foundation selected proposals.
or the responding organization to any future funding or engagement. If you have any
questions, contact Jazmine da Costa at jdacosta@williampennfoundation.org.
November 2025
Project implementation
can begin.
Request for Proposals: Increasing Investment in Philadelphia Parks 11
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