Statement from our President & CEO on William Penn Foundation's Grant

The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is profoundly grateful to the William Penn Foundation for their generous support and, more importantly, their courage to turn their core values into action. As federal directives continue to destabilize nonprofits serving our most vulnerable populations—endangering immigrant, LGBTQ, minority, and low-income communities and directly threatening our region’s diverse cultural vitality—the Foundation has leaned in and modeled true leadership. We applaud their bravery and unwavering commitment, and we are honored to stand alongside our peers and allies as we work collectively to advance equity, opportunity, and resilience across our region.

With this support, the Cultural Alliance will deepen our advocacy work at the federal and state levels, uplift the voices of the arts and culture community, strengthen our communications, and convene timely conversations on critical policy and funding developments. The arts and culture sector fuels education, strengthens community, creates jobs, improves public health, and drives a $3.3 billion economic impact in Southeastern Pennsylvania. It should not be undervalued or undermined.

This is a pivotal moment, and the Cultural Alliance remains steadfast in defending our region’s creative sector—and its transformative impact on our communities—against the uncertainty and unjust policies we face. We urge our elected officials, civic leaders, philanthropic partners, and other creative sector stakeholders to join the William Penn Foundation in supporting the critical work of nonprofits as frontline defenders and time-tested problem solvers who deliver crucial services to our residents and communities.

Background on Federal Actions Impacting the Arts & Culture Sector:

This year, the arts and culture community has faced threats from the Trump administration’s ongoing attempts to defund and dismantle the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). In 2024 alone, Pennsylvania received more than $64 million in federal support from the NEH ($28.4 million), NEA ($25.2 million), and IMLS ($10.7 million), in addition to funding from other federal agencies.

Among Southeastern Pennsylvania organizations surveyed by the Cultural Alliance, 92% reported they would be directly impacted by cuts or changes to federal funding. Consequences range from payroll and cash flow disruptions to the postponement or cancellation of programs and capital projects. A majority (62%) of organizations reported their programming was at risk. More information is available through PA CultureCheck 2025.

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About the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance:

Established in 1972, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance has proudly served as the region’s foremost advocate for arts and cultural for over 50 years. Our mission is to lead, strengthen and amplify the voices of a dynamic cultural community that sparks creativity, inspires people, and plays a vital role in fostering the health and wellbeing of the region. Representing a diverse cultural ecosystem—including museums, visual artists, dance companies, community art centers, musicians, historic sites, zoos, and more—the Cultural Alliance is dedicated to being a thought leader, trusted resource, and powerful advocate for the Greater Philadelphia creative sector. We are committed to driving positive change and supporting the collective vision of our community. For more information, please visit philaculture.org.