climate resilience planning efforts – Oct 23

Posted by William Penn Foundation on September 30, 2025

William Penn Foundation issues RFP for climate resilience planning efforts

The William Penn Foundation in Philadelphia has issued an RFP for climate resilience planning.

The greater Philadelphia region is confronting the consequences of climate change that are expected to expand and intensify in the coming years. The consequences that pose the most severe risk of direct impacts are extreme precipitation events, extreme heat, and rising sea levels, which will increase the elevations of the tidal Schuylkill and Delaware rivers. These impacts will combine to produce a myriad of social, environmental, and public health consequences, including increased heat-related death and disease, increased costs for energy and insurance, and added stress to both built and natural infrastructure. These consequences will fall most heavily on communities and neighborhoods that already struggle with the legacy of decades of disinvestment and discrimination.

Thoughtful planning and effective implementation can help communities reduce their vulnerability and enhance their ability to adapt to the impacts of climate change. There is broad agreement—in the research literature and in lived experience—that resilience is most achievable when communities are actively and authentically engaged in timely planning and decision making. Such participation helps support transparency, knowledge sharing, and trust building, and it increases the legitimacy of decisions and decision-making processes. It also can build community capacity and coherence that is, itself, a critical component of community resilience.

The foundation aims to assist efforts to advance community-driven, place-based planning processes that will enhance the climate resilience of communities in Philadelphia, Chester, and Camden. WPF will not fund plan implementation through this RFP—that opportunity will be provided in a future RFP.

Organizations that propose projects in partnership with other applicants will be considered on their individual merits. However, WPF recognizes that the work necessary to make significant progress on this objective will be complex, and the most competitive proposals are likely to be those that include robust partnerships that leverage complementary strengths, resources, and expertise. Furthermore, the foundation recognizes that climate resilience plans can be produced using a variety of tactics or approaches. Proposals may request support for planning processes that address different types of climate impact vulnerability (e.g., heat, flooding) and/or seek to increase different types of climate impact adaptability (e.g. improving built and natural infrastructure; expanding community knowledge; supporting community leadership). Applicants may request support for one or multiple components of the planning process (e.g. outreach and education, community engagement, technical assistance).

WPF requests proposals for projects up to a maximum of two years in duration and has $1.5 million available to advance this objective at this time. The maximum amount that organizations may request is $300,000. The grant amount requested should be commensurate with the contribution that the project will make to the overall objective.

To be eligible, 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 must occur in the cities of Philadelphia, Chester, or Camden.

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

Deadline: October 23, 2025