The William Penn Foundation is inviting proposals for its Improving Public Spaces in Greater Philadelphia funding opportunity. This initiative aims to enhance the inclusivity and accessibility of existing public spaces throughout the region. The Foundation is committed to creating vibrant, welcoming environments that serve all members of the community regardless of age, ability, gender, or background. This grant supports planning, capital, operational, and programmatic efforts to make public spaces more inclusive, particularly for historically underserved populations.

Public spaces eligible for improvement under this RFP include parks, urban gardens, community centers, libraries, recreation facilities, urban farms, and contiguous sidewalks or right-of-way areas. To be eligible, these spaces must be free, open to the public, and actively managed. The Foundation recognizes that barriers such as inaccessible infrastructure, lack of accommodations for people with disabilities, safety concerns, and a lack of culturally responsive design can discourage many groups from utilizing public spaces. This funding opportunity is intended to address these issues through community-driven and inclusive design solutions.

Projects funded through this opportunity must be completed within one to three years and must result in measurable enhancements to the accessibility or inclusivity of the public space in question. Each proposal must identify the target population it seeks to serve and clearly outline how the proposed improvements will remove specific barriers or enhance the welcoming nature of the space for that population. The Foundation strongly encourages the inclusion of robust partnerships and diverse funding sources, and it places particular emphasis on proposals from small organizations or those led by individuals from historically marginalized communities.

A total of $4.5 million in funding is available through this RFP. There is no minimum or maximum grant request amount, but grant requests should be appropriate to the project's potential contribution to the Foundation's overall objective. At least 70 percent of total funding will be dedicated to capital projects. Eligible projects may also include planning components and must demonstrate tangible impact on inclusivity and accessibility upon completion.

All applications must be submitted through the William Penn Foundation’s Grants Portal by April 25, 2025. An optional informational webinar will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 11:00 AM Eastern Time. A recording will be made available after the live event. For additional information or questions, applicants may contact the Foundation at grants@williampennfoundation.org or call (215) 988-1830.