Pew Supports America’s 250th Anniversary Activities in Philadelphia

America’s founders signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia—and 250 years later, the birthplace of modern democracy is hosting a range of activities surrounding the country’s semiquincentennial. To mark this milestone—and to showcase the city’s history, culture, communities, and institutions—The Pew Charitable Trusts is collaborating with civic and philanthropic partners to support events and programs through 2026, including those funded by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.

In addition to awarding grants, Pew will continue to provide research and policy analysis on Philadelphia, some of which will look at the past, present, and future of the city as a way of commemorating the anniversary.

Founded in 1948, Pew uses data to make a difference. It addresses the challenges of a changing world by illuminating issues, creating common ground, and advancing ambitious projects that lead to tangible progress. The semiquincentennial offers an opportunity to reflect on the nation’s founding ideals while highlighting Philadelphia’s role in establishing the United States.

Grantee spotlight

Pew is a founding member of the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial.

Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial

Pew provided $2 million to the collaborative, a group of local philanthropic partners—including the Connelly Foundation, William Penn Foundation, Neubauer Family Foundation, Hamilton Family Charitable Trust, Knight Foundation, and Comcast—that is supporting the planning and execution of 250th anniversary events and programs. The collaborative has awarded 141 grants totaling more than $16 million to a variety of nonprofit groups. Some grantees, such as the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corp., are preparing for the city to be on a global stage by training 10,000 “Phambassadors” to welcome visitors from around the world and design their own tours. Others are highlighting their communities with projects such as the Welcoming Center, which will bring native- and foreign-born Philadelphians together for meals to learn more about each other.

In a dimly lit theater with red, blue, and purple lighting, rows of audience members are seated in the foreground facing five dark figures seated onstage. Lighted stairs leading from the back to the front of the theater are on the right. — Panelists await the start of “A More Perfect Union” at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The recorded conversation aired on PBS on Nov. 24.

‘A More Perfect Union’

On Sept. 29, 2025, the Philadelphia-based National Constitution Center (NCC) and Arlington, Virginia-based WETA-TV hosted the recording of a PBS special, “A More Perfect Union.” The event brought together NCC chief executive Jeffrey Rosen, democracy and constitutional experts, filmmaker Ken Burns, and his co-director, Sarah Botstein, to discuss how America’s founding ideals remain relevant today. The discussion was based on themes in Burns and Botstein’s six-part documentary series “The American Revolution,” also supported by Pew. “A More Perfect Union” aired on PBS on Nov. 24 after the Nov. 16-21 showings of “The American Revolution.” Both programs present a variety of perspectives that illuminate the historic events and values that shaped the country’s founding. Pew provided $250,000 for the event.

Three people look into a glass case containing old documents. — Pew’s Donna Frisby-Greenwood (second from right) participates in a TED conversation, “Opportunity for All,” at the Penn Museum.

TED Democracy Philadelphia: ‘Opportunity for All’

On Oct. 14, 2025, Pew senior vice president Donna Frisby-Greenwood participated in a TED Democracy Philadelphia panel, “Opportunity for All,” at the Penn Museum. Frisby-Greenwood shared how her grandparents’ access to quality jobs and homeownership laid the foundation for her to grow up in the middle class. She also explained how Pew’s work with regional philanthropic, civic, and business partners to create quality jobs—and pathways to them—will help more Philadelphians achieve economic advancement.

The group also discussed the need for sustainable solutions to other obstacles such as community violence, poverty, and apathy from government leaders and the public; for civic organizing to empower more people; and for technologies that improve access to public benefits. Other speakers were, from left: Michael Tubbs, special adviser for economic mobility and opportunity for California Governor Gavin Newsom and former mayor of Stockton, California; Amanda Renteria, CEO of Code for America; and Eric Liu, CEO and co-founder of Citizen University. Steve Benjamin (far right), former senior adviser to President Joe Biden and former director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, served as moderator. Visit Philadelphia and TED Democracy hosted the event with support from Pew.

‘The Declaration’s Journey’

From Oct. 18, 2025, through Jan. 3, 2027, Philadelphia’s Museum of the American Revolution is hosting “The Declaration’s Journey,” an exhibition examining the impact and influence of the Declaration of Independence on more than 100 nations and rights movements around the world. It features declarations from Chile, Czechoslovakia, Haiti, Mexico, and South Korea, as well as Native American declarations of sovereignty and independence. The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage and the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial are supporting the exhibition.

A black rectangular card that reads “Big Ideas Wanted” in green letters on top and “Founding Futures” in white letters at the bottom sits on the right side of a round black table. Pink, orange, and blue postcards are stacked to the left in front of a tent card in glass that has 1, 2, and 3 listed from top to bottom with blurry white words to the right of each number. — A sign card calls for speakers for the “TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures” event in June 2026.

‘TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures’

On June 13, 2026, TED Democracy and Visit Philadelphia will host the flagship event commemorating America’s 250th, “TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures,” featuring lectures and conversations on the past, present, and future of democracy from a variety of perspectives. The day-long event will take place at the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts in Philadelphia and will be livestreamed in public libraries throughout the U.S. to enable more people to engage with the day’s speakers, topics, and discussions. Pew awarded a $1 million grant for the event and livestream.

Four curved pillars meet at an apex, from which many small bells hang down. A person in a white shirt and gray leggings stands beneath the artwork, where a large bell stands on a cement support on the ground. — Let Freedom Ring, an outdoor installation by Paul Ramirez Jonas shown here in Washington, D.C., encourages participation, just as the founders intended citizens to take an active role in democracy.

Let Freedom Ring

From June through September 2026, the Association for Public Art will display an interactive sculpture by artist Paul Ramirez Jonas, Let Freedom Ring, at Cherry Street Pier in Philadelphia. The large bell tower plays “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” except for the final note—at which point participants must work together to ring a 600-pound bell to complete the song. The installation is intended to inspire civic engagement and cooperation in fulfilling the promises of the nation’s founding. The work is supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage and the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial.