outdoor programming – Jan 31

Posted by William Penn Foundation on January 14, 2025

William Penn Foundation issues RFP to support outdoor programming

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