THE PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION TO AWARD $50,000 IN GRANTS TO PARTICIPANTS OF ON THE TABLE PHILLY 2018
November 8th Open Dialogue Sessions Seek Ideas On Issues That Matter To Greater Philadelphia Region
Philadelphia, PA (Oct. 12, 2018) – The Philadelphia Foundation will award up to $50,000 in grants to help transform ideas generated during November 8th’s On the Table Philly into tangible initiatives that improve the Greater Philadelphia Region.
On the Table Philly is a day dedicated to elevating civic conversations, fostering new relationships and creating unifying experiences in the region. On the Table Philly seeks to connect individuals and communities of diverse perspectives and backgrounds in a series of mealtime discussions.
Throughout November 8th, the Philadelphia Foundation invites all Greater Philadelphia residents along with their families, neighbors, colleagues and friends, old and new, to pull up a chair, share a meal and discuss the ways in which we – as individuals and collectively – can work to make our communities stronger, safer and more dynamic.
About the Activate Grants
On the Table Philly will feature over 300 gatherings convened on November 8th to discuss how to make the region a better place to live, work and play. As an exciting element of this year’s initiative, registered On the Table Philly hosts and participants will have the opportunity to apply for Activate mini grants of up to $1,000 to implement an idea emerging from their table conversations.
“We heard from hosts and participants that last year’s inaugural On the Table Philly conversations energized their thinking around important community issues,” said Philadelphia Foundation President & CEO Pedro A. Ramos. “This year, we’re going one step further by moving these conversations to action. Activatemini grants will enable On the Table Philly participants to spark positive change in their communities.”
Additional ideas not selected for funding will be promoted and shared with the philanthropic community for possible support.
The Philadelphia Foundation has partnered with Philadelphia LISC – a local office of the national Local Initiatives Support Corporation – to oversee the grant award process for individuals and organizations. Activate mini-grant applications will be accepted by LISC and funding will be awarded based on input of a panel of judges. Registered hosts and participants will be given more information about the application process at Host Orientation Sessions on October 31, 2018 and the application process will open on November 8, 2018.
The Philadelphia Foundation is one of 10 community foundations across the U.S. participating in On the Table, a national initiative funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation following a successful pilot in 2017.
On the Table Philly replicates an annual civic engagement initiative of the same name developed by The Chicago Community Trust in 2014. Support for On the Table advances the Knight Foundation’s work to help cities attract and keep talented people, expand economic opportunity and create a culture of civic engagement. The Knight Foundation believes that successful communities are equitable, inclusive and participatory.
On the Table Philly 2018 will once again bring groups of 8 to 12 people together at homes, workplaces, community organizations, restaurants, libraries, recreation centers and places of worship. Join the On the Table Philly conversation on social media using #LetsTalkPhilly
In its first year in Philadelphia, over 2,000 social and civic minded individuals participated in On the Table
Philly 2017. Survey results from 2017 are available at onthetablephl.org.
To learn more or register to host a table, visit onthetablephl.org and select “register to host.”
About The Philadelphia Foundation
Founded in 1918, The Philadelphia Foundation (TPF) strengthens the economic, social and civic vitality of Greater Philadelphia. TPF grows effective philanthropic investment, connects individuals and institutions across sectors and geography, and advances civic initiatives through partnerships and collaboration. A publicly supported foundation, TPF 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.
About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots. It invests in journalism, in the arts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. The foundation’s goal is to foster informed and engaged communities, which it believes are essential for a healthy democracy. For more, visit knightfoundation.org.
About Philadelphia LISC
Philadelphia LISC is one of 32 local offices of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), a national nonprofit community development organization and CDFI. In Philadelphia, LISC is a catalyst for community change, working with partners on the ground to strengthen neighborhoods and improve the lives of residents. It combines corporate, government, and philanthropic resources and have invested $435 million (and leveraged $1.5 billion) in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods to build or preserve 8,500 affordable homes and to develop 2.3 million square feet of retail, community and educational space since 1980. Its goal is to create neighborhoods of choice and opportunity, where every resident has a chance to thrive.