“Citing factors like the sudden disappearance of ticket revenue and cancellation of spring fund-raisers at many arts groups, the William Penn Foundation and others have contributed to a newly created emergency fund to the tune of $3.4 million,” write Peter Dobrin and Stephan Salisbury in Wednesday’s (4/8) Philadelphia Inquirer. “The money will go to [Philadelphia] organizations experiencing financial difficulties during the coronavirus crisis as well as individual artists who have seen their livelihoods evaporate…. So far, most of the donors to the effort, called COVID-19 Arts Aid PHL, are local: William Penn is giving $2.5 million, with additional contributions from the Barra, Connelly, Independence, Lenfest, Victory, and Wyncote foundations…. The New York-based Doris Duke Charitable Foundation has also kicked in money…. The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is managing the process of awarding grants from the fund, and Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy and Philadelphia Cultural Fund are partners in the effort. The money is aimed at small and mid-sized organizations…. Individual artists can apply for ‘micro-grants’ of $500…. William Penn, the largest foundation focused solely on Philadelphia and the region, has doled out more than $10 million in special funding in response to the coronavirus crisis.”
Change font size
