Urban League of Philadelphia Wins THIRD Place in the Economic Prosperity Grant Category from Philadelphia Foundation’s $1 Million Key to Community Grant Initiative
August 1, 2019
PHILADELPHIA – Urban League of Philadelphia is thrilled to announce it won the THIRD place $33,000 grant in the Economic Prosperity category of the Philadelphia Foundation’s $1 Million Key to Community Grants, a first-of-its kind public grantmaking initiative in honor of Philadelphia Foundation’s centennial year of service to the Philadelphia region. After a rigorous application process and competitive public voting period, ULP is one of three winners in the Economic Prosperity category and one of nine total winners across three categories identified to address pressing issues throughout the the Greater Philadelphia Region. ULP took THIRD place with 9,796 votes.
ABOUT THE GRANT AND ITS IMPACT
The three Economic Prosperity grants are co-presented by Wells Fargo and the Philadelphia Foundation and are funding programs that aim to enhance paths to financial stability and success, especially for those in low- to moderate-income communities.
With this grant, ULP’s initiative, entitled “Making Dreams Come True: Building Neighborhoods Through Homeownership”, will now be able to expand its efforts, specifically to expand our successful Housing Counseling program within West Philadelphia. Our goal is to educate residents to become homebuyers and provide post-purchase counseling after they buy their homes.
Our neighbors need access to reliable and honest information regarding banking and the advantages of homeownership. Our team is certified, community-minded and experienced. We will offer educational workshops, one-on-one counseling, and post-purchase planning.
“The support of this Key to Community grant will help us gain even more momentum in leveling the financial playing field among all residents in and around Philadelphia,” said Andrea Custis, President/CEO, Urban League of Philadelphia. “We look forward to using this grant to allow more of our neighbors access to homeownership opportunities and financial wellness.”
BACKGROUND ON THE INITIATIVE
Residents of the Greater Philadelphia Region made their voices heard by casting nearly 200,000 votes for 15 deserving nonprofit finalists between July 8 and July 26 across three categories including Economic Prosperity, the Opportunity Divide and Civic Engagement. The Economic Prosperity category specifically earned 64,305 total votes throughout the voting period.
Leaders from all 15 finalist organizations will also be invited to participate in the Philadelphia Foundation’s Leadership Institute in the fall of 2019 and will be included in opportunities for targeted leadership development scholarships and expanded professional network building supported through Bank of America and Eisenhower Fellowships.
ABOUT KEY TO COMMUNITY GRANTMAKING
Close to 200 applications were received in the Key to Community grants initiative. A review panel comprised of Philadelphia Foundation staff, representatives from the grants’ co-presenters and independent experts in the fields of philanthropy and community solutions was tasked with determining the finalists for public voting through research, interviews and evaluation.
From July 8-July 26, the public decided which ideas received a total $1 million in funding to flourish into action-oriented programs that enhance the quality of life in the Greater Philadelphia Region.
ABOUT THE PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION
Founded in 1918, the Philadelphia Foundation strengthens the economic, social and civic vitality of Greater Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Foundation grows effective philanthropic investment, connects individuals and institutions across sectors and geography, and advances civic initiatives through partnerships and collaboration. A publicly supported foundation, the Philadelphia Foundation manages more than 900 charitable funds established by its donors and makes over 1,000 grants and scholarship awards each year. To learn more, visit philafound.org.
