arts and culture general operating support – Jan 29

Posted by William Penn Foundation on December 23, 2025

William Penn Foundation issues RFP for arts and culture general operating support

The William Penn Foundation (WPF) in Philadelphia has issued an RFP to arts and culture nonprofits for general operating support.

WPF has been a long-standing provider of multi-year general operating support to high-quality arts and culture organizations in the region and remains committed to providing them with flexible resources to sustain their missions. The objective is to build the capacity of artistically exceptional organizations that consider individuals’ different circumstances, histories, and needs, and are engaged as creative and community assets. The foundation recognizes there are many ways that organizations can contribute to advancing this objective.

The foundation’s Arts and Culture program focuses on work that celebrates creativity, artistic and cultural practices, and community impact. The program also aims to reflect the interconnectedness of creative works and the expressions of a community that may carry artistic or creative value.

The foundation seeks to support artistically exceptional arts and culture organizations that provide opportunities for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized. Constituents of these organizations have meaningful opportunities to fully participate in, contribute to, and see themselves reflected in arts and cultural experiences in ways that correlate with the organizations’ missions. Arts and culture organizations that focus on or authentically consider the experiences of historically marginalized communities in all aspects of their work and intentionally contribute to the development of vibrant, inclusive communities will be prioritized.

WPF funds the following disciplines: dance, design, folk and traditional arts, media arts, music, opera, multidisciplinary arts, theater, literary arts, and visual arts.

This funding opportunity is for organizations with fiscal years beginning in July through December 2026. Organizations will use their position and resources to be an engaged and responsive partner in their communities and the region. Proposals should reflect thoughtful strategies to strengthen ongoing relationships, organizational practices, and programming that connect to the priorities and interests of the communities they serve. After reviewing proposals, WPF will conduct site visits and gather additional information from a limited number of organizations.

Proposals for three years of unrestricted operating support are requested. WPF has a total of $8 million available to advance this objective. The maximum total grant amount requested cannot exceed $675,000. Maximum possible grant amounts are calculated as a proportion of the organization’s operating expenses from its most recently completed audit or financial statements.

To be eligible, applicants must be an arts and culture organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) public charity. WPF defines an arts and culture organization as an entity with a mission dedicated to the creation, performance, and/or presentation of arts and culture programs and experiences intended to engage, inspire, or connect audiences and communities. Organizations must have received a grant from WPF’s Arts and Culture program (previously known as Creative Communities) grant within the last 10 years.

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

Deadline: January 29, 2026