The mission of the funder is to support programs and initiatives that ensure people across Philadelphia and the region benefit from inclusive, diverse, and high-quality public spaces and arts and culture experiences. The Foundation focuses on fostering equitable access and participation in arts and culture, as well as in the creation and stewardship of community and public spaces.
"Philadelphia’s Cultural Treasures" is a multi-year grant program designed to support the recovery and foster the growth of BIPOC cultural groups, artists, and organizations within the Greater Philadelphia area. This initiative seeks to acknowledge and promote the significant contributions of BIPOC artists, creatives, and culture-bearers to the cultural landscape of Philadelphia and its residents. The program is a regional component of the Ford Foundation's "America’s Cultural Treasures" initiative. It aims to create new opportunities for these vital community members, in recognition of the challenges posed by COVID-19 and the historical inequities faced by BIPOC communities in terms of funding and resources. The grant is organized into three funding opportunities: multi-year general operating grants, fellowship grants, and project grants, with a total of $10 million in grants to be distributed, embodying local philanthropy's commitment to a just recovery process.