Pedro Ramos and Janet Haas highlight funding challenges facing Philadelphia’s community organizations

As organizations serving immigrant families face resource cuts and rising demand for services, representatives from foundations, non-profits, businesses, and media outlets gathered on October 26, 2026, at the 6abc studios in Philadelphia to launch the third year of «Philly Gives.»

Participants in the gathering included John Morris, President and General Manager of 6abc; Pedro Ramos, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Foundation; and Dr. Janet Haas, Chair Emerita of the William Penn Foundation. The campaign aims to connect community organizations with donors and raise awareness about the work they carry out across the region.

Trying to Do a Lot with a Little

Ramos explained to this outlet that the decline in government and private support coincides with needs that, he noted, are greater than what has been seen in many years. The issue is not a lack of community leadership, but rather a lack of resources to sustain services.

“There is always good leadership within communities, but the biggest problem is a matter of resources,” he pointed out. He added that many organizations work directly with individuals in need of assistance but struggle to access the necessary funding, often “trying to do a lot with a little.”

As an example, he cited Catholic Charities of Philadelphia, which provides services to immigrants and refugees and –as he explained– faced restrictions in government funding in early 2025. He also highlighted Philabundance and its capacity to distribute food and support smaller organizations.

The Latino community and the City’s well-being

When asked why investing in the Latino community matters, Ramos emphasized that its well-being cannot be separated from Philadelphia’s as a whole. “It is important to invest in the Latino community»

His reflection concluded with a phrase that encapsulates the scope of this commitment: “As the Latino community goes, so goes the entire community.”

Housing, food, and health care among the most urgent needs

Dr. Janet Haas also shared insights into the challenges facing the organizations that serve vulnerable communities, including immigrant families. She highlighted several pressing needs, such as access to nutritious food, stable housing, quality education, affordable health care, and opportunities for workforce development and economic mobility.

Haas acknowledged the work of nonprofits and community-based organizations that provide these critical services while helping newcomers and other vulnerable residents integrate into the broader community. Her remarks underscored the importance of supporting the frontline organizations that assist families facing multiple barriers.

A campaign focused on long-term impact

During her remarks, Haas said Philly Gives has raised more than $1.7 million for 19 organizations in its first two years. Ramos noted that the campaign generated more than $1 million for ten organizations in 2025 alone.

In its third year, Philly Gives will continue supporting the same ten organizations that participated in the second year: The Attic Youth Center, Catholic Charities of Philadelphia, Children’s Crisis Treatment Center, Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Esperanza, Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia, Philabundance, Project HOME, SEAMAAC and Share Food Program.

Ramos said the decision to keep the same group of partner organizations reflects a commitment to building trust and giving programs the time needed to achieve meaningful, lasting impact. She also highlighted the role of local media outlets, which produced nearly 100 stories about participating organizations during the campaign’s first two years.

Haas announced that Comcast, the Connelly Foundation, Vanguard, and Bank of America have collectively pledged $275,000 in seed funding for the campaign’s third year. She also introduced a partnership with Visit Philadelphia through its Civic Pride initiative, which seeks to connect civic engagement with tangible acts of community support.

Beyond fundraising

Organizers emphasized that 100 percent of public donations made through the campaign will go directly to participating organizations. For Haas, success should be measured not only by the dollars raised but also by how many people learn about these organizations and choose to support their work.

At a time when many nonprofits face growing demand and limited resources, Philly Gives is seeking to strengthen the organizations that help sustain Philadelphia’s most vulnerable communities. For Ramos, supporting Latino-serving organizations remains an essential part of that mission.