The William Penn Foundation (WPF) is seeking proposals to address the critical shortage of certified teachers in Philadelphia and to increase the diversity of the teaching workforce so that it better reflects the city’s student population. This initiative falls under the Foundation's Children and Families program, specifically targeting teacher preparation for Philadelphia public schools. The objective is to raise the percentage of certified K-12 teachers and ensure that the teaching workforce's racial and ethnic makeup aligns more closely with the 86% of students who identify as people of color, compared to the 32% of teachers currently serving in the city’s classrooms.

WPF is offering grants for projects that help both pre-service and in-service teachers achieve certification, gain employment, and remain in Philadelphia public schools. Funding will support initiatives that improve teacher recruitment, retention, certification preparation, and professional development. Projects may include efforts to mentor teachers, implement policies that foster retention, address barriers to certification, or create innovative approaches to attract and retain a diverse, well-qualified teaching workforce. While projects focused on teachers serving grades K-3 are prioritized, programs that support other grade levels will also be considered.

The Foundation has allocated $6 million to advance this objective. Grants will be awarded for up to three years, with no specific minimum or maximum request. However, proposals requesting less than $1 million will be the most competitive. WPF encourages applicants to leverage partnerships with other organizations to maximize resources, expertise, and impact. Partnerships will be evaluated based on each organization's individual merits, but collaborative approaches that combine complementary strengths are encouraged.

To be eligible, proposals must demonstrate a strong potential to contribute to the overall objective of increasing teacher certification and workforce diversity. The Foundation will not consider proposals for tuition scholarships, loan repayment programs, or independent research and data analysis projects. Instead, funding will focus on actionable strategies and programs that can achieve measurable results.

Applications are due by January 31, 2025, and must be submitted through the Grants Portal. After reviewing proposals, WPF will conduct site visits and request additional information from a limited number of applicants. Interested organizations are encouraged to review the full Request for Proposals (RFP), available through the Foundation’s Grants Portal, for detailed eligibility requirements, application templates, and review criteria.

For additional information or questions, applicants may contact the William Penn Foundation directly via email at grants@williampennfoundation.org or by phone at (215) 988-1830. An informational webinar was held on December 12, 2024, to provide further guidance. This funding opportunity represents a significant investment in building a well-prepared, diverse teaching workforce that will help improve student outcomes in Philadelphia’s public schools.