On February 26, Philadelphia Foundation joined media, funding, and nonprofit partners at The Philadelphia Inquirer‘s office to celebrate the close of Philly Gives’ second year and present grants to the ten participating nonprofit organizations. The gathering, hosted at the home of one of the initiative’s founding media partners, reflected the kind of cross-sector collaboration that has defined Philly Gives from the start.

In its second year, Philly Gives raised more than $1.05 million, up from the $650,000 raised in its inaugural 2024 campaign. The increase reflects the growing network of funders, media partners, and individual donors who have rallied behind the initiative. Funds were distributed equally among the ten nonprofit partners with each receiving a check of approximately $106,000.

A Growing Coalition

Philadelphia Foundation President and CEO Pedro A. Ramos thanked the funders, media partners, and nonprofit leaders whose work made the campaign possible. He recognized the institutional and philanthropic partners who deepened their commitment in year two, including the William Penn Foundation, Comcast, Connelly Foundation, Bank of America, Patricia Kind Family Foundation, Independence Foundation, and the Hamilton Family Charitable Trust.

“This is more than a campaign,” Ramos said. “It’s a demonstration of trust, transparency, partnership, and proof that when we work together, we can accelerate meaningful change.”

Ramos also spoke directly to the nonprofit leaders in the room, many of whom Philadelphia Foundation has longstanding relationships with, through grantmaking and partnership. “In the best of times and the toughest of times, regardless of where the light may shine, you are doing your work on the ground every single day,” he said. “We could not be more appreciative of the work you do in this community.”

The Role of Local Journalism

A defining feature of the initiative is its media partnership model. This year’s campaign included 6abc, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Tribune, Impacto, New Mainstream Press, Philadelphia Gay News, and WURD Radio, each of which told the stories of the nonprofit partners through sustained, multilingual coverage reaching audiences across the region.

Jim Friedlich, Executive Director and CEO of the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, reflected on the moment in which Philly Gives finds itself. Speaking from the Inquirer’s headquarters, which is just steps from Independence Hall, he noted the significance of local journalism as a civic institution at a time of heightened need. “What better time to have something called Philly Gives to help empower the best service organizations in Philly and the entire region,” he said.

The Origin of Philly Gives

Dr. Janet Haas, emeritus Chair of the William Penn Foundation, whose vision gave rise to Philly Gives, offered remarks at the event. She described the initiative’s origins in community-media giving models she had long admired and her belief that Philadelphia’s inherent generosity, connected to credible local storytelling, could translate into real support for nonprofits doing essential work.

“Seeing this initiative grow and surpass $1 million in its second year affirms the power of storytelling, trust, and collective giving to create meaningful change,” she said.

The 2025 Nonprofit Partners

At the close of the event, Ramos presented grants to representatives from each of the ten participating organizations. This year’s Philly Gives nonprofit partners are The Attic Youth Center, Esperanza, SEAMAAC, Catholic Charities of Philadelphia, Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia, Share Food Program, Children’s Crisis Treatment Center, Philabundance, Congreso, and Project HOME. Together, they serve LGBTQ+ youth, immigrant and refugee communities, families facing food insecurity, children in crisis, individuals experiencing homelessness, and many others across the region.

Stay up to date on plans for Philly Gives year three at www.phillygives.org.