November 2024’s elections created a dramatically shifting political context, with voters strongly communicating that they want leaders committed to improving both their economic and daily experiences. Now more than ever, advocates for families need to lead with families by building trust, leveraging change capital, and elevating concrete solutions that make a real difference for children and the adults in their lives together. Over the course of 2025, Ascend is hosting a series of monthly webinars that help leaders across philanthropy, systems, policy, and communities to position data and best practice in ways that build trust and strengthen policies and systems change for intergenerational prosperity.

How can we courageously lead with and for families in order to affect policy, systems, and structural changes in today’s new political context? Ascend will convene President & CEO of Future Caucus Layla Zaidane, Hawai’i Rep. Greggor Ilagan (D), and Arkansas Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R) to discuss how advocates for families – across philanthropy, policy, and systems – can lead with conviction to keep society moving forward when our political landscape is in flux.

Join us for an upcoming virtual info session to explore how your campus can get involved.

Dates and Times:

Friday, January 31 – 11am
Wednesday, February 26 – 2pm
Tuesday, March 18  Wednesday, Mar 19 – 11am

Special sessions for student-led events and ideas:

February 18 – 12:30pm
March 11 – 4:30pm (NEW DATE!)

Registration for all events can be found on the Campus Philly website.

Research Briefing (Virtual)
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 from 10am-11am

Each year, over 20,000 international students enroll in colleges and universities in Greater Philadelphia. These students play a crucial role in the local higher education system and make a significant economic impact on the region. Many choose to study in the U.S. to gain work experience after graduation. This trend is especially important as higher education institutions nationwide face an impending “enrollment cliff” due to a decline in the number of 18-year-olds in the U.S. starting in 2025.

Attend this research briefing to understand the upcoming talent challenges, discover how our region can leverage the increasing number of international graduates, and discuss implications for 2025 and beyond.

Speakers include:

Jennifer Kebea, president, Campus Philly
Bill Keyes, program director, International House Philadelphia

Register today for our virtual research briefing

With a focus on connecting people to opportunities in the Philadelphia region, the William Penn Foundation (WPF) is committed to expanding access to resources and opportunities that promote a more vital and just city and region for all.

The foundation has issued an RFP for efforts to prevent homelessness for families with young children. According to the foundation, Philadelphia faces significant challenges related to affordable housing, a lack of sufficient supply, and housing instability. The city’s housing market has seen rising demand, but wages have not kept pace with housing costs, leading to affordability issues for many residents. Helping families stay in their homes requires a multifaceted approach that addresses immediate needs and long-term sustainability.

WPF seeks to support efforts that increase access to interventions that prevent homelessness for families with young children. Funding will be limited to projects that will positively impact families with young children aged 0-8.

Funding may be directed to efforts that provide critical, in-time supports that help stabilize a family’s housing in the short-term and/or provide holistic supports that promote long-term stability. Please note, under this RFP, the foundation will only consider proposals to support interventions focused on preventing homelessness.

The foundation requests proposals for up to three years of funding and WPF has $7.5 million available to advance this objective at this time. The maximum amount of funding that organizations may request for direct expenses is $800,000 over three years. At least $1 million of the total amount awarded under this RFP will be reserved for grants to organizations that have budgets under $2 million per year and/or are led by individuals who are members of groups with a history of discrimination or exclusion.

Applicants must be tax-exempt as defined by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or operate under a public charity fiduciary (fiscal sponsor). 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 must occur in Philadelphia and serve families who are residents of Philadelphia.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the William Penn Foundation website.

Deadline: January 31, 2025

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation was established in 1993 by Cal Turner and Cal Turner Jr. to honor Dollar General’s co-founder, J.L. Turner, who was a farmer’s son with only a third-grade education. The foundation is proud to continue its legacy by supporting students along their educational journey.

The foundation invites applications for its Adult Literacy Grants program, which will award grants of up to $10,000 to organizations that provide direct services to adults in need of literacy assistance in one of the following areas: adult basic education, GED or high school equivalency preparation, and English language acquisition.

Applicants must be a nonprofit organization as determined by the IRS; a public library, school, or college providing direct literacy services in a state where Dollar General Corporation operates; and within 15 miles of a Dollar General store.

Applications will be accepted beginning January 9, 2025, and are due February 6, 2025, at 10:00 p.m. CT.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Dollar General Literacy Foundation website.

Deadline: February 6, 2025 at 10:00 p.m. CT

With a focus on connecting people to opportunities in the Philadelphia region, the William Penn Foundation (WPF) is committed to expanding access to resources and opportunities that promote a more vital and just city and region for all.

The foundation has issued a request for proposal (RFP) to support outdoor programming. According to WPF, research demonstrates that time in nature provides a multitude of benefits to people, including improved health, well-being, and cognition. Most people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or income, want to be able to access and enjoy the outdoors. Yet barriers—including safety concerns, lack of inviting spaces or activities, and time and economic pressures—often limit access to the benefits of the outdoors, especially among people of color and economically disadvantaged people.

The foundation seeks to invest in efforts that support park, trail, and water programming in the cities of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Camden, New Jersey. This RFP will prioritize projects that serve communities that have experienced the greatest barriers to accessing the benefits of the outdoors. Possible efforts may include nature-based programming that draws more people to experience public spaces, to enjoy recreational opportunities with fellow community members, and to build an affinity for these spaces. Programs may be led by a facilitator (e.g., trained staff or community member) or self-guided. But most important is that these are programs that are shaped and desired by community members and expand opportunities for them to enjoy the outdoors. All programs must be operated at no cost to participants.

In addition to direct support of programming, proposals that will indirectly support programming such as communications (e.g., program-related marketing or public campaigns to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors) or advocacy that makes free outdoor programming more accessible will also be considered.

The foundation requests proposals for up to three years, and has $2.5 million available to advance this objective. There is no minimum or maximum amount of funding that projects may request, but the most competitive proposals will likely be those with total grant requests under $400,000 (over three years).

To be eligible, applicants must be recognized as tax-exempt as defined by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or operate under a public charity fiduciary. Government entities are also eligible to apply. Proposed program beneficiaries and program locations must be in the cities of Philadelphia or Camden. Projects that are not direct service, such as advocacy or communications, may focus on a wider geographic scale but must have significant projected impact in Philadelphia and/or Camden.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the William Penn Foundation website.

Deadline: January 31, 2025

With a focus on connecting people to opportunities in the Philadelphia region, the William Penn Foundation (WPF) is committed to expanding access to resources and opportunities that promote a more vital and just city and region for all.

The foundation has issued an RFP for arts education school partnership programs. According to WPF, studies have demonstrated that arts education allows young people of all ages to connect to their own creativity, stretch their imaginations, and express their personalities. It also develops social-emotional and critical thinking skills and helps youth build empathy and connections to others and the world around them. Thoughtfully designed and delivered arts education can act as a safe space, allowing young people to share personal stories, process conflict and trauma, and develop interpersonal and cultural awareness. Additionally, in-school arts education partnership programs can support students in their overall school experiences, having been shown to deepen students’ engagement with school and decrease disciplinary infractions.

The foundation seeks to support efforts that provide young people with hands-on arts education led by skilled teaching artists, through in-school partnership programs that are free. Programs must exclusively serve children of any ages from 5 through 18. In particular, the foundation is most interested in prioritizing support for projects that make it possible for youth to engage as leaders and drivers of their own learning experiences.

The foundation requests proposals for one- to three-year projects to connect young people in Greater Philadelphia with in-school arts education partnership programs driven by the young people’s own creativity and interests to support their personal development and growth. These programs are to supplement and not replace the important arts learning being implemented by certified art teachers in Philadelphia area schools.

WPF has a total of $3 million available to advance this objective at this time. There is no minimum or maximum amount of funding that projects may request but the most competitive proposals will likely be those with total grant requests under $600,000 (for three years).

To be eligible, applicants must be tax-exempt as defined by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or operate under a public charity fiduciary. Applicants must also have successfully completed at least two consecutive years of arts education programs in the Philadelphia region and have worked in at least two different school sites during this time.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the William Penn Foundation website.

Deadline: January 31, 2025

Date and Time: Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 4:00 PM

NOTE: This event is intended for prospective AmeriCorps members interested in the NCCC program. All registrants will receive a recording of the webinar.

Register.

Through our workshops, families will gain insights and easy-to-apply techniques to foster their children’s educational success at home and in the classroom.

Workshop Highlights

Methodology:
Through interactive discussions and hands-on activities, parents and caregivers will learn how to make learning fun and engaging, integrating literacy and STEM concepts into daily routines. Our skilled facilitators ensure an interactive and dynamic experience to help families build a strong foundation for their children’s education.

Workshop Details

Early Literacy and STEM Workshops / Talleres de Lectura Temprana y STEM

• Dates: January 14, 16, 21, 23, & 28 / 14, 16, 21, 23 y 28 de Enero
• Times: 10 am or 5 pm
• Duration: 90 minutes per session (5 Sessions / 5 Sesiones)
• Format: Virtual (online / en línea)
• Incentives: Participants will receive 5 culturally relevant books / Los participantes recibirán 5 libros culturalmente relevantes.

Science of Reading Workshops / Talleres de Ciencia de la Lectura

• Dates: January 14, 16, 21, 23, & 28 / 14, 16, 21, 23 y 28 de Enero
• Times: 10 am or 5 pm
• Duration: 90 minutes per session (5 Sessions / 5 Sesiones)
• Format: Virtual (online / en línea)
• Incentives: Participants will receive 5 culturally relevant books / Los participantes recibirán 5 libros culturalmente relevantes.

Leyendo en Casa Workshop – El Amor por la Lectura

• Date: January 14, 2025 / 14 de Enero
• Time: 5 pm
• Duration: 1 hour / 1 hora
• Format: Virtual (online / en línea)
• Incentives: Participants will receive a culturally relevant book / Los participantes recibirán un libro culturalmente relevante.

Registration Information:

• Early Literacy and STEM and Science of Reading: Register here
• Leyendo en Casa: Register here

La Fuerza de Familias Latinas is offering a FREE Early Literacy Facilitator Training Program, valued at $3,000, for Spanish-speaking childcare providers and staff members of parent-serving agencies in Philadelphia. This program is designed to help you build stronger relationships with families while supporting early childhood education.

Here’s what you’ll gain from participating:

• $3,000 Worth of Professional Development – FREE: Participate in a 2-day virtual training designed to help you become a certified facilitator of early literacy programs.
• Ready-to-Use Tools & Curriculum: Get immediate access to curriculum resources you can implement right away, saving you time while making a lasting impact.
• $45 Book Bundles for Families: Empower parents with book bundles to foster early literacy at home, supporting their children’s learning journey.
• Ongoing Support: Receive up to 10 hours of coaching to ensure you successfully implement your learnings and reach more families.

Program Details:

• Facilitator Training (Virtual): January 22–23, 2025, from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST
• Workshop Planning (Virtual): January 24, 2025, time to be coordinated (30–60 minutes)
• Facilitate Your First Workshop (Virtual): February 3, 5, 7, 10, or 12, 2025, from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
• Platform: Zoom

Why Should You Join?

• Boost Your Impact: Learn strategies to build trust and engage more families in your programs.
• Enhance Your Skills: Equip yourself with proven tools to improve early literacy outcomes.
• Gain Expert Support: Our team will be there every step of the way to guide your success.

This Is a Limited-Time Offer – Sign Up Today! Spots are limited, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your professional development and make a meaningful difference for families in your community.

Please share this opportunity with your colleagues, peers, and networks who may benefit from this training.

To register or learn more, please contact Leslie Rivas at LeslieR@LiteracyPartners.org, or click here to secure your spot now: Register Now

Learn more about the 2025 Gulf-South Summit in Nashville, TN, March 26-28.

Early registration runs through Friday, January 24th.  Register today to take advance of a $75 savings over the Regular Registration!

The 2025 CUMU Conference: The Power of Place, Baltimore, MD, October 26–29, 2025, explores how campuses nurture and build upon local assets to promote social and economic mobility, drive regional development, and foster community well-being.

Bring your campus’ work to the best conference of the year! Submissions due March 10, 2025.

We invite proposals that showcase impactful work, critical perspectives, and innovative ideas. Proposals may highlight ongoing or completed work. Submissions should align with one or more of the following tracks:

• Social and economic mobility
• Anchor strategies for regional transformation
• Institutional mission and infrastructure
• Educational pathways
• Civic and community engagement
• Measuring impact and storytelling

The CUMU conference offers a range of formats that afford participants different methods to access and engage with innovative ideas.

Learn more and submit a proposal.

Date and Time: Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Location: Jordan Medical Education Center (Atrium), University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Event Highlights:

• A Keynote Panel featuring past CDRD awardees sharing their success stories and insights on impactful collaborations
• An Interactive Poster Session showcasing the missions, goals, and research questions of CBOs and community groups
• The launch of the Pilot Grant Program to support new partnerships formed through CDRD

Registration Information:

• CBO Presenters: Submissions due by Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Posters should highlight your organization’s mission, goals, accomplishments, and pressing research questions. Submit your proposal and registration here.
• Attendees (Non-Presenters): Register by Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Register here.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with a diverse audience of non-profits, public sector leaders, and academic researchers dedicated to driving community-based research forward.

More details, including submission guidelines and registration.

We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you and advancing our shared vision for healthier, more equitable communities.

• Serves the Philadelphia community (Philadelphia headquarters not required)
• Serves individuals aged 21 and younger
• Has an operating budget below $800,000

More information on eligibility can be found in our FAQs. Access the application here and register for our upcoming info sessions.

Applications are due by Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 5pm sharp.

If you have any questions or need additional information or materials, please contact Zara Waters at zara.waters@sprucefoundation.org.

Position Summary

The Manager will provide digital literacy skills training alongside other critical workforce and life skills to adult English learners and multilingual learners in the Philadelphia area. As part of this role, the Manager will coordinate and serve as. the lead facilitator of The Welcoming Center’s Computer Basics for English Learners course and Google Docs & Slides for English Learners course. The Manager will also oversee implementation other key digital literacy programs including a Computer Basics in Spanish class and The Welcoming Center’s Digital Bridge program. The Digital Bridge program trains adult immigrant community members as peer facilitators to assist other English learners and multilingual learners in navigating self-paced online digital skills training platforms such as Northstar Digital Literacy. In conjunction with the Director of ESOL, the Manager will also play a significant role in developing and supporting digital literacy activities for English Language Learners across the organization. The Manager will help to develop and refine existing curriculum and contribute to building innovative approaches to working with immigrants and English learners that enhance and accelerate digital skills and language proficiency, job attainment, and social and economic integration. The Manager will support program development activities, volunteer engagement, data tracking, program evaluation, and grant reporting for digital skills programming and will collaborate closely with the ESOL Program Manager and the Director of ESOL to provide vision and support for the ESOL & Digital Skills Training programs at TWC.

Applications due by Monday, February 10, 2025.

Full job description and application information.

Date and Time: Wednesday, January 29, 2025, 12:00-1:30 PM

Register.

The Civic Engagement Academy (CEA) Learning Series provides community members with the tools to create lasting positive change. The trainings encourage local problem-solving and prepare residents to become community leaders, organizers, and activists.

Sign up for our upcoming learning opportunity and learn how to host a successful meeting and manage conflict.

Date and Time: February 19, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Our volunteer project will take place at the Philadelphia Wholesale Warehouse (6700 Essington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19153) where we will be helping Sharing Excess with the collection and distribution of the fruits, veggies and non-perishable items they receive for the day.

Volunteers will need to complete waiver prior and can do so online here. Gloves and Aprons will be provided.

Learn more and register.

Register to attend our next live event:

•  AmeriCorps NCCC A to Z – Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 4 p.m. ET
• Summer of Service 2025 -Tuesday, January 21, 4 p.m. ET
• Forest Corps Lunch & Learn – Thursday, January 23, 1 p.m. ET
• Empowering Youth Engagement in National and Community Service Through AmeriCorps NCCC – Thursday, January 30, 4 p.m. ET

NOTE: Events are for prospective AmeriCorps members interested in learning more about national service through NCCC programs. All registrants will receive a recording of the webinar.