Image says #fundPHLarts, courtesy of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance
In a blog post from last year, harp-weaver staff shared how funders are able to legally advocate for issues relevant to their mission. Check out that post, and read on to see a follow-up on the example provided last year about advocating for greater arts funding in Philadelphia (an issue area important to harp-weaver’s client The Presser Foundation).
Reposted from the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance
Six months ago, in December 2022, members of our cultural community widely applauded Philadelphia City Council’s decision to allocate an additional $2 million dollars to PCF in the Mid-Year Transfer, increasing PCF’s FY23 budget from $3.5 to $5.5 million. The allocation represented an investment in Philadelphia’s cultural sector, providing a much-needed infusion of funds as arts and culture organizations across the city struggled to rebound from pandemic.
We can’t go back! In 2022, the Philadelphia Cultural Fund awarded 282 grants to cultural organizations with budgets under $1.5 million. Together, these organizations contributed over $25 million to our local economy. Investing in PCF and the organizations it funds sparks the vitality of our commercial corridors, enriches the lives of our children, and leverages the economic success of our tourism and other allied industries.
Use the link here to fill out your information for a pre-populated letter that can be sent to your councilmember to advocate for a $2 million increase in the City budget to fund the Philadelphia Cultural Fund at $5.5 million this fiscal year.
Check out articles from the Stanford Social Innovation Review, Inside Philanthropy, or The Center for Effective Philanthropy to learn more about advocacy and philanthropy.