Penn Medicine CAREs Grant Program

A community-focused grant program designed to recognize and support volunteer-led initiatives that address social determinants of health and improve quality of life for underserved populations.

Geographic Scope:

• Philadelphia, PA
• Lancaster, PA
• Doylestown, PA
• Chester County, PA
• Southern and Central New Jersey (including Princeton area)

Focus Areas:

• Science education and STEM outreach
• Early literacy programs
• Volunteer-led service efforts
• Health equity initiatives
• Programs addressing social and environmental factors that shape health outcomes
• Support for underserved populations including:
  • Children in under-resourced neighborhoods
  • Immigrant communities
  • Individuals navigating serious illness or trauma
  • Those experiencing homelessness
  • Seniors

Funding Supports:

• Program supplies
• Educational materials
• Outreach activities
• Training initiatives

Key Statistics:

• Has provided over $1.4 million to initiatives since inception
• 72% funding approval rate (as of March 2026, described as "all-time high")
• Most recent quarterly round (Q1 2026): 26 grant recipients

Eligible Recipients: Penn Medicine employees and volunteers working with local schools, nonprofits, and community organizations

Administrator: Laura Kim, Associate Director of Community Relations

Contact Information: Eric Horvath, Media Contact

• Phone: C: 215-821-4289
• Email: Eric.Horvath@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
• Media Queries & Requests (24/7): 215-662-2560

Application Process

Detailed step-by-step application instructions are not provided in the available website content. However, the following information is available:

• Submission Method: Not specified in provided content
• Application Frequency: Quarterly (with grants announced each quarter)
• Approval Rate: 72% of requests are honored (as of March 2026)
• Timeline: Quarterly distribution cycle

Note: Applicants should contact the CAREs program administrator Laura Kim or the media contact Eric Horvath for detailed application procedures and current deadlines.