Planning and Implementation grants for 250th Anniversary – Nov 30

Posted by Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial on October 24, 2023

Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial invites applications for planning, implementation grants

The Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial supports Philadelphia-area programs celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Philadelphia has long enjoyed pride of place for observing major national milestones.

Grants are available for Philadelphia-area nonprofits for planning and programs related to the 2026 commemorations for project activities in the City of Philadelphia and/or Bucks, Chester, Delaware, or Montogomery counties in Pennsylvania. The collaborative will provide support to Philadelphia-area nonprofits that intend to honor Philadelphia’s unique importance to the founding of the United States, encourage widespread community participation in the events commemorating the 250th anniversary of the nation’s independence, celebrate the diversity of the city and the region through inclusive programming that reflects the experiences of all Philadelphians, past and present; imagine the possibilities for Philadelphia’s contributions to the next 250 years of American democracy; and inspire greater civic engagement by promoting civil dialogue, community service, and voluntary solutions to the city’s ongoing challenges.

Two types of grants are available:

Planning Grants: Intended for organizations that need additional resources to imagine, research, and develop programs related to the upcoming 2026 celebrations. These grants are not intended to support such programs directly. In 2023, the funder collaborative plans to award up to $1 million in planning grants, with individual planning grants capped at $75,000. Planning grants require a one-stage application and will be considered on a rolling basis. The duration of a planning grant should not exceed 12 months. Funding cycle three is now open for applications for planning grants and will close on November 30, 2023.

Implementation Grants: Intended for organizations to host programs related to the upcoming 2026 celebrations. Implementation grants are not capped but constrained by the resources available to the funder collaborative. Implementation grants require a two-stage application. The first stage involves a letter of inquiry, consisting of a brief description of the proposed project, including its activities, timeline, deliverables, and budget. The second stage involves a full proposal that describes the project with greater specificity and in detail. Funding cycle four is now open for LOIs for implementation grants and will close on November 30, 2023.

To be eligible, the applicant must be a public charity recognized as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial website.

Deadline: November 30, 2023 (Letters of Inquiry)