Pew Awards $2.6 Million to Transform Philadelphia’s Community Spaces, Nonprofit Sector, and Workforce Training

PHILADELPHIA—The Pew Charitable Trusts today announced $2.6 million in new grants to three organizations working to advance economic mobility, community and cultural vitality, and public safety in Philadelphia. The funding will support workforce development, community spaces, and nonprofit collaborations that will help sustain essential services and enhance cultural vitality throughout the city.

“These investments reflect Pew’s commitment to strengthening the city’s neighborhoods and supporting the organizations that help Philadelphians build better lives,” said Donna Frisby-Greenwood, senior vice president, Philadelphia and scientific advancement at Pew. “Whether it’s connecting people to good jobs, preserving vibrant public spaces, or helping nonprofits collaborate more effectively, these grants are about creating lasting impact.”

Pew’s newest grantees are:

• Trust for Public Land has been awarded $1.3 million over two years to help residents care for the existing network of 15 neighborhood spaces through a community stewardship program, create a new green space at Logan Elementary, and conduct research on the relationship between public space improvement and social connectedness. The project will transform 2 acres of pavement at Logan Elementary into a vibrant community resource, benefiting students and 10,000 nearby residents, and will convene community and sector leaders to share best practices in public space stewardship.
• SeaChange Capital Partners Inc. has been awarded $1 million over three years to expand the Nonprofit Repositioning Fund, which provides grants, technical assistance, and educational workshops to help Philadelphia-area nonprofit organizations pursue partnerships, mergers, and other solutions to become more sustainable. Nonprofits are a major employer in Philadelphia, making up 30% of private employment in the city, and play a critical role in delivering key public services that residents need. This initiative will help at least 36 nonprofit organizations evaluate what collaborations might strengthen their operations and resources to ensure that vital services continue to reach Philadelphia’s communities.
• Philadelphia Works has been awarded $300,000 over two years to launch and evaluate the NextStep Success initiative, a workforce intervention designed to help underemployed Philadelphian residents secure quality jobs. The program will provide supplemental case management, fund stipends and provide supportive services such as transportation and child care, with the goal of boosting workforce training completion and job placement and retention rates in key sectors such as health care, life sciences, energy, and infrastructure.

“Community involvement in transformation, maintenance, and programming of public spaces helps to ensure that these spaces are welcoming and beneficial to nearby neighbors and the wider community,” said Catherine Fuller, senior officer for civic initiatives at Pew.

“By investing in workforce development and strengthening the nonprofit sector, Pew is helping Philadelphians access quality jobs and essential services. These grants empower organizations to break down barriers to employment and build lasting partnerships that sustain our city’s most critical programs,” said Kristin Romens, project director of the Pew Fund for Health and Human Services in Philadelphia.

Learn more about Pew’s work supporting communities in Philadelphia.