Who is eligible to apply for Pew grants?

Nonprofit organizations located in the Philadelphia region that are classified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible to apply for Pew grants. Pew does not award grants to individuals.

We also provide fellowships to Philadelphia artists and to U.S. and international scholars and researchers in the fields of biomedical science and marine conservation. Please read below for additional details.

Each of our grantmaking programs identifies and pursues specific goals. Links are provided below so that you can learn more about each program and their particular requirements.

What kinds of activities do Pew grants support?

Pew supports organizations that foster a healthy and vibrant public life in the Philadelphia region. We do this by awarding funding in the following program categories:

• Arts and culture: Through the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, we support ambitious, imaginative, and catalytic work that showcases the region’s cultural vitality. Each year, the center awards panel-adjudicated project grants in two areas—exhibitions and public interpretation, and performance—as well as 12 fellowships for individual artists. The Trusts also provides support for special projects that enhance Philadelphia’s cultural vibrancy and improve the city’s broader economic outlook.
• Civic initiatives: We also support large civic initiatives that strengthen the Philadelphia region as a thriving place to live and visit.  
• Health and human services: Through the Pew Fund for Health and Human Services, we offer grants to organizations that support the health and well-being of local individuals and families in need.

Is Pew grantmaking directed toward any specific geographic region?

Yes. Our grantmaking programs are primarily focused on supporting organizations located in and serving our hometown and the surrounding region, which comprises five Pennsylvania counties: Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery. 

How do I apply for an arts and culture grant or fellowship?

The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage has annual guidelines detailing the types of grants and fellowships available and their eligibility criteria. Please visit the center’s website for grant application guidelines and deadlines, or contact the center for more details.

How do I apply for a Philadelphia civic initiatives grant?

Civic initiatives grants are generally awarded for large, collaborative endeavors that will foster a vibrant civic life in Pew’s hometown. Funded projects have traditionally highlighted the city’s unique history, helped to improve and promote its most important public spaces and civic treasures, or addressed important issues of urban revitalization. Applications in this category are accepted by invitation only; our staff members work to identify opportunities through which we can make a meaningful impact, and we invite organizations to apply once a clear fit has been determined.

How does my organization apply for a grant from the Pew Fund for Health and Human Services?

The Pew Fund supports nonprofits providing services for individuals and families in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and/or Philadelphia counties who face challenges to their health and well-being, often related to poverty, mental illness, and difficulty meeting basic needs such as shelter and food. Organizations interested in being considered for funding should visit the Pew Fund’s webpage for additional details on this grantmaking program and how to make an inquiry.

How does my organization apply to participate in the Pew Fund’s evaluation capacity building initiative?

This program is available only to current Pew Fund grantees, who are contacted directly about the application process.

How do I apply to one of your fellowship programs?

The Trusts provides fellowships through the following programs: the Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences, the Pew Latin American Fellows Program in the Biomedical Sciences, and the Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation. The Pew Fellowships in the Arts are awarded through the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, providing support to Philadelphia-area artists as well as artists from outside the region who come to live and work in Philadelphia. Applications for all fellowships are by invitation only; candidates must be nominated. Please visit the webpages for each of the programs above for more information.

Do you have suggestions about where else I might look for funding?

Candid, a new organization formed by the former Foundation Center and GuideStar, maintains a comprehensive listing of U.S. grantmakers and what they fund.