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Search Through History Grants in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Charlotte Cushman Foundation Grant supports qualified non-profit theaters in the Greater Philadelphia area, providing funding for actors' salaries in specific staged productions. Organizations must hold 501(c)(3) status and can only receive funding for one production per calendar year. Proposals are due two months prior to the performance date, ensuring timely support for innovative theater projects, especially those adapting to new performance venues due to circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic.

The DanPaul Foundation aims to enhance early childhood development by training teachers and parents, protecting children from abuse, and promoting social responsibility. They provide grants to non-profits for programs that focus on education, health, and welfare of youth. Key initiatives include scholarships, environmental education, and support for underprivileged children. Grant amounts range from a few hundred dollars to $15,000 annually, with a focus on impactful, community-driven projects.

The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides grants to early-stage social entrepreneurs working on scalable solutions to pressing social and environmental issues. By supporting organizations with innovative approaches and proven impact, they aim to uplift underserved communities globally. The foundation offers operational support, funding of up to $300,000 over three years, and fosters a collaborative community among its portfolio organizations. They focus on candidates demonstrating measurable impact and sustainable growth potential.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.

The Hearst Foundation: Culture Grant aims to support outstanding nonprofits that enhance cultural engagement and artistic talent in the U.S. With a focus on programs that reach young people, the grant prioritizes organizations that create lasting impacts in the arts and sciences. The Foundation allocates 25% of its funding to cultural initiatives, favoring established organizations with a history of significant results. Eligible nonprofits must encourage inclusivity and sustainability in their programs.

The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage offers Capacity Building Grants to support organizations in enhancing their professional capabilities within contemporary art and public history. Grants range from $2,500 to $7,500, focusing on research, travel, and technical assistance for grant proposal preparation. Eligible applicants include organizations with a 501(c)(3) designation in the Philadelphia region. Priority is given to those with operating budgets under $500,000 and first-time applicants.

The True Inspiration Awards, established by Chick-fil-A in 2015, recognizes nonprofit organizations that significantly impact their communities. In 2025, the program will distribute $6 million in grants, ranging from $30,000 to $350,000, to sixteen selected organizations. Categories include Caring for People, Caring through Food, Community, and Caring for our Planet, with a focus on educational initiatives, food security, housing services, and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy of founder S. Truett Cathy.

The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage offers Creative Project Grants to support distinctive and impactful projects by cultural organizations in the Philadelphia region. These grants target performances, exhibitions, and public interpretations that engage diverse audiences. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations with a minimum annual budget of $150,000, located in the five-county area of Philadelphia. Individual artists are not eligible, and projects should demonstrate artistic excellence and community engagement.

The Leo and Peggy Pierce Family Foundation focuses on ending hunger and food insecurity in the five-county Philadelphia region and Indian River County, Florida. Established in 1997, it supports organizations that provide direct services or advocacy efforts in this area. Grants are available to IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations, allowing them to apply once every year. The foundation embodies the legacy of Leo and Peggy Pierce, who dedicated their lives to helping others.

The Community Voices Fund, established by the People’s Media Fund, supports innovative media projects that amplify marginalized voices in Greater Philadelphia. Prioritizing community-driven narratives, the Fund awards grants ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 to support storytelling efforts that challenge systemic oppression and promote social justice. Eligible applicants include 501(c)3 organizations with annual budgets under $1 million, focusing on projects that enhance community organizing and movement-building efforts.

The Philadelphia City Community Fund offers annual grants to support local organizations aiming to enhance community well-being. With an average annual funding of $250,000, it prioritizes small nonprofits providing out-of-school time (OST) programming for youth. Eligible applicants must demonstrate 501(c)(3) status and address specific community needs, particularly in designated priority ZIP codes. This initiative aligns with the city's commitment to improving quality of life through equitable access to essential services and resources for children and families.

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation Grant supports nonprofit charitable organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Revenue Code. Established in 2002, the foundation aims to empower groups committed to positive change, fostering respect for life and the environment. Their vision emphasizes collaboration for a better future, encouraging applicants to embody these values in their initiatives. With a focus on impactful projects, this grant is an opportunity for organizations striving to make a critical difference in our world.

The TJX Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations located within 15 miles of a TJX store that align with their community mission. Eligible areas include basic needs, education for at-risk youth, workforce training, and safety from domestic violence. Organizations must be a registered 501(c)(3) for at least 12 months and have a nondiscrimination policy. Applications are invited through a Letter of Inquiry, with funding decisions based on community impact.

The Presser Foundation, established in 1939, offers grants between $2,500 and $50,000 to support music organizations across diverse genres. Focused on fostering music education and philanthropy, the Foundation seeks to empower non-profit, 501(c)(3) organizations within a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia. However, it does not fund theater or dance productions. Proposals are evaluated based on organizational accomplishments, community value, stability, and overall contributions to the music community.

The Balch Fellowship, offered by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, supports research in various fields related to American history, particularly focusing on ethnic and immigrant studies. Each year, two to three fellows receive a $3,000 stipend for one month of residency in Philadelphia. This fellowship allows scholars to explore topics such as immigrant experiences and American cultural history, utilizing the extensive collections of the Historical Society and the Library Company of Philadelphia.

The Albert M. Greenfield Fellowship, awarded by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, provides a $3,000 stipend for one month of research residency focused on 20th-century history. This fellowship supports advanced, postdoctoral, dissertation, and creative research projects, utilizing HSP's vast collections that encompass diverse historical subjects. With additional access to the Library Company of Philadelphia, fellows can explore rich resources in American and regional history, enhancing their scholarly work.

The Esther Ann McFarland Fellowship, awarded by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, supports advanced research in its extensive collections, focusing on 17th-century Pennsylvania, especially New Sweden, or African American history. This fellowship includes a one-month residency in Philadelphia and a stipend of $3,000. It is designed for advanced, postdoctoral, and dissertation research, allowing scholars to explore diverse historical topics, including the contributions of early Swedish settlers and the impact of African American communities.

The Indian Rights Association Fellowship, awarded by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, supports one month of research residency in Native American studies. This fellowship offers a $3,000 stipend for advanced, postdoctoral, and dissertation research, encouraging exploration of the HSP's extensive Indian Rights Association Records. Open to various topics, it aims to foster scholarly work on the history and rights of Native Americans, enhancing understanding of their cultural heritage and historical narratives.

The Richardson Dilworth Fellowship, awarded by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, provides a $3,000 stipend for one month of research in Philadelphia. This fellowship supports advanced, postdoctoral, and dissertation projects focusing on legal or political history and reform movements. The society's extensive collections cover a range of topics related to American history, including women's history and ethnic studies, making it a valuable resource for researchers in various fields.

The Robert L. McNeil Jr. Fellowship, offered by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, supports advanced research in early American history. Each year, four fellowships are awarded, providing a stipend of $2,500 for one month of residency in Philadelphia during the summer. This fellowship encourages scholars to utilize the extensive collections at the Historical Society, which encompass diverse fields and significant historical documents, enriching the understanding of America's past.

The David Center for the American Revolution offers a nine-month residential postdoctoral fellowship for graduate students focusing on the American Revolution and Founding Era (1750-1800). This fellowship, based at the American Philosophical Society Library & Museum, is designed for advanced Ph.D. candidates nearing dissertation completion. A stipend of $50,000 per year for two years is available. The fellowship emphasizes the importance of utilizing the extensive collections at the APS and encourages applicants from both U.S. and foreign backgrounds.

The David Center for the American Revolution Predoctoral Fellowship at the American Philosophical Society provides a nine-month residential opportunity for Ph.D. candidates focused on the American Revolution and Founding Era. The fellowship offers a $25,000 stipend and a $5,000 travel/research fund. Applicants should demonstrate the necessity of using the center's extensive collections and the ability to complete their project on time. Open to all graduate students, it does not provide visa sponsorship.

APS/CSHL Undergraduate Summer Internship in the History of Biology

The American Philosophical Society’s Center for the History of Science and the Center for Humanities and the History of Modern Biology at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory invite applications for a joint summer internship program for undergraduates working on junior or senior research projects related to the history of the life sciences.

This eight-week hybrid internship offers funding for one undergraduate to conduct research using the rich archival collections at both the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in Cold Spring Harbor, New York. The intern will divide their time between both institutions and will benefit from hands-on research guidance, mentorship, and networking opportunities. The intern will be expected to deliver a presentation on their research as part of the program and complete a short essay or blog post about their work.

The internship will take place from May 18 through July 10, 2026. The intern will be expected to be in-residence at Cold Spring Harbor between June 1-June 12 and at the American Philosophical Society between June 15-June 26. The first and last two weeks of the internship will be completed remotely.

The intern will receive a stipend of $2,000, as well as funding to support travel (up to $500). CSHL and APS will also secure and cover the costs of housing in Cold Spring Harbor and Philadelphia.

Possible research areas include:

• Genetics, heredity, genomics
• Genetic engineering
• Eugenics
• Molecular biology
• Microbiology
• Cancer research
• Evolution
• Embryology and development
• Conferences/symposia and institutional history

The Swan Foundation offers short-term research fellowships for scholars interested in Revolutionary-Era Material Culture (1750-1820). Hosted by the Swan Historical Foundation and the American Philosophical Society, this fellowship supports one month of research in their extensive collections. Eligible applicants include Ph.D. holders and candidates. A stipend of $3,000 is provided, with opportunities for additional funding for travel to the Swan Foundation. Fellowships can start from June 1, 2025, and must be completed by May 31, 2026.

The David Center for the American Revolution at the American Philosophical Society offers short-term resident research fellowships for scholars focused on the American Revolution and Founding Era. Awarded fellows receive a stipend of $3,000 for a one-month residency, enabling them to utilize extensive collections, including manuscripts and microfilms. Open to Ph.D. holders and candidates, these fellowships are available from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027, promoting research that contributes to the understanding of early American history.

Who we are

For more than a century, Philadelphia Foundation has increased philanthropic investment in the community, fostering the economic, civic and social vitality of Greater Philadelphia.

We take charitable dollars further through our deep relationships in the community, close connections with local nonprofits and 100-year history of building positive outcomes in the Philadelphia region.

Born of a desire for more powerful, permanent funding to address community needs, we collaborate with thousands of individuals, families and businesses to advance this goal, always with an eye on the future. As we enter our second century of service, our vision remains grounded in the needs of today and tomorrow and is shaped by the values we hold close, including excellence, diversity, equity and results.

From Ben Franklin’s civic gift of 1,000 pounds sterling to Gerry Lenfest’s endowment for independent journalism, Philadelphia Foundation stewards legacies that strengthen the place we call home, improving lives today and for future generations.

Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Forfeiture Fund – Summer Camps, Cycling, Swimming & Athletic Programs 

Description

Forfeiture Fund

Pursuant to its obligations under the Pennsylvania Controlled Substances Forfeiture Act, 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 5802, and the final order entered on February 17, 2021(Sourovelis v. City of Philadelphia, Civ. Action No. 2:14-cv-04687-ER), the Office of the District Attorney of Philadelphia must utilize funds forfeited to it to support community-based anti-crime and anti-narcotics organizations.

Organizations may request support for:

• Summer Camps
• Cycling
• Swimming
• Athletic Programs 

Organizations may use funds to support anti-crime, anti-drug, anti-violence initiatives consistent with guidance from the Office of the Attorney General of Pennsylvania and the United States Department of Justice. A non-exhaustive list of permissible uses based on these sources will be provided to grantee organizations. The Fund will prioritize requests from grassroots community groups with smaller budgets, defined as $950,000 or less. Grants are limited to organizations working with people in the city and county of Philadelphia.

Funding priorities

The Forfeiture Fund will accept applications from community-based organizations offering programs that align with the guidelines and a single focus area of this grant cycle. Applications which attempt to address all focus areas in a single application are likely to be declined.

Priority will be given to:

• Organizations with annual operating budgets at or below $950,000 
• Organizations that can demonstrate a track record of running a summer camp, cycling, swimming and/or athletic programs 

The Pennsylvania Heartland Unit Scholarship offers a $2,000 award to students actively engaged in horticulture or related fields. Eligible candidates include full-time undergraduates entering their sophomore, junior, or senior years, as well as graduate students enrolled in pertinent programs. Applicants must reside in Southeast Pennsylvania, encompassing counties such as Berks, Bucks, Chester, and others. This scholarship encourages students to deepen their understanding of horticulture and contribute to their communities.