public spaces in greater Philadelphia – Apr 25

Posted by William Penn Foundation on April 15, 2025

William Penn Foundation issues RPF for improving public spaces in greater Philadelphia

The Philadelphia-based 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 invites applications for improving public spaces in greater Philadelphia. Through this request for proposals (RFP), the foundation aims to support projects with potential to enhance public spaces through inclusive design, ensuring that all people—regardless of ability, age, gender, or background—can fully enjoy and benefit from these essential community assets. In particular, it is looking for creative, community-driven solutions that identify and remove barriers preventing specific populations from engaging and enjoying public spaces, as well as interventions that make public spaces more inviting and welcoming to specific populations that might otherwise be dissuaded from enjoying them.

WPF defines public spaces as those that are managed, free, and open to the public, including but not limited to urban gardens, urban farms, parks, parklets, recreation centers, libraries, public health centers, and community centers. Improvements in right-of-way areas like sidewalks that are contiguous to the public space are eligible for funding through this RFP. Each proposal should identify the population of users and/or potential users that it intends to serve and describe the way in which the proposed work will remove a barrier to that population’s full use and enjoyment of the public space and/or make the space more welcome and inviting for that population. Examples of eligible improvements include but are not limited to multi-sensory and multi-language way finding systems, gender-inclusive facilities, culturally responsive improvements, adaptive recreational equipment, and playful learning projects.

WPF has a total of $4.5 million available in support of improvements that will expand the inclusivity and accessibility of public spaces, with at least 70 percent of the funding to support capital projects. Proposals should have project terms of one to three years, which can include planning. The proposed project must be completed, demonstrably enhancing accessibility and inclusion, within the term of the grant.

To be eligible, applicants must be recognized as tax-exempt by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code 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 Philadelphia or Camden.

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

Deadline: April 25, 2025