Funding Focus
We believe that the most powerful change can come when we honor and support the brilliance and resilience of the people in marginalized communities we serve. This means investing in organizations that ground their work in solidarity with communities, often led by people from those communities.
We have defined three separate funding streams and ask that you apply to only one with the understanding that your work may intersect them all.
We will not accept new applications or reopen grant cycles in 2023, however we will automatically fund most of our current grantees at the same levels (or close to it). Read more about our transition year here.
Photo Credit: Tony Boris
arts & culture
Amplifying culture, voice & social justice
The arts can be one of the most nourishing and powerful engines of social change when driven by those marginalized by race, class, gender, sexuality, religion, ethnicity, immigration status, physical ability, mental health, age or other social or legal status.
We provide three-year grants (primarily general operating funds) for exemplary Philadelphia arts and culture organizations whose primary mission is to do one or more of the following:
- use their art to expose and confront the policies, institutions and systems that create disparities and harm marginalized communities
- lift marginalized voices in pursuit of social change
- strengthen, preserve and/or share social or cultural identities and traditions
Grantee Spotlights:
Focused Populations
immigrants & refugees
Enhancing opportunities & advancement
Our immigrant, refugee, asylee and asylum seeker friends, neighbors, co-workers and community leaders are part of Philadelphia’s identity, and their continued contributions are essential in maintaining a strong economic, civic and cultural fabric.
Our goal is to support organizations that protect and strengthen the resources, policies, laws and systems for inclusion, integration and advancement of low-income newcomers, their families and communities. We provide three-year grants (primarily general operating funds) for organizations and coalitions that offer:
- direct services (language and education, citizenship, social and cultural interactions, well-being and economic mobility, legal representation)
- advocacy (equitable treatment and opportunity)
- and power-building (know-your-rights trainings and community organizing)
Grantee Spotlights:
social, racial & economic justice
Building solidarity, protecting rights and advancing equity/inclusion
Fels Fund has a proud history of taking a stand on issues of social, racial and economic justice and has often worked in coalition to advance equity issues in public education, women’s rights, LGBTQ rights and the criminal justice system through research, advocacy, organizing, legal and other services.
We provide one-year grants (primarily general operating funds) for new ideas and proven approaches specific to improving social, racial and economic justice for marginalized communities. Requests may include advocacy, organizing, legal and other services with an emphasis on systems change and building power in communities harmed by inequitable policies and institutions.
Note: Child Welfare requests are now considered in this funding stream
Grantee Spotlights:
more questions?
See our FAQ page for more information