The Philadelphia Foundation, in partnership with the Lenfest Institute for Journalism and with support from the William Penn Foundation, launched the second edition of Philly Gives, a community campaign aimed at uniting the city around generosity and civic engagement.
Among the beneficiary organizations are Attic Youth Center, Catholic Charities of Philadelphia, Children’s Crisis Treatment Center (CCTC), Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Esperanza, Project HOME, Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS), Philabundance, SEAMAAC (Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Associations Coalition), and SHARE Food Program.
More than just a campaign, Philly Gives is a community-driven philanthropic fund. Its mission is to strengthen organizations that address the region’s most urgent needs by connecting donors with local causes and fostering a culture of solidarity that supports the most vulnerable communities in Philadelphia.
This organization has established itself as one of the leading community-based entities in the United States dedicated exclusively to supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) youth. Located in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, it promotes the development of young people into healthy, independent, and community-engaged adults within a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.
Its work responds to a persistent reality: many LGBTQ+ youth face prejudice, discrimination, and exclusion, which can lead to vulnerability and isolation. In response, the organization creates a space of belonging where every young person feels seen, heard, and valued. It also provides resources, guidance, and programs that strengthen personal, academic, and professional skills, preparing them to build a more stable future. Through comprehensive support and a strong community network, it fosters well-being, resilience, and youth leadership.
Catholic Charities of Philadelphia (CCoP)
A faith-based organization addressing urgent needs in the Philadelphia area, Catholic Charities supports more than 300,000 residents annually across five counties through nearly 40 programs. These programs provide comprehensive assistance in food security, housing, senior services, immigration legal support, child protection, and resources for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Inspired by the works of mercy, its mission centers on human dignity and a commitment to promoting well-being regardless of background or circumstance.
The organization also fosters the educational and emotional development of children and youth; provides centers and housing that enhances quality of life for seniors; and promotes inclusion for individuals with disabilities through supported employment, integration programs, and residential options.
Children’s Crisis Treatment Center (CCTC)
An organization dedicated exclusively to children’s mental health, serving children from 18 months to 18 years old. The agency offers mental and behavioral health services in various settings: traditional clinics providing therapy and psychiatric services, intensive in-home interventions, family care coordination, and direct services in more than 46 public, charter, and private schools in Philadelphia.
It also operates the only summer camp in Philadelphia for children with behavioral challenges and maintains culturally specific programs such as Abriendo Caminos, aimed at Mexican and Central American families, and Tamar, focused on African families. Its goal is clear: to integrate children’s mental health services into the spaces where children live, learn, play, and grow.
For 48 years, Congreso has stood as a beacon of empowerment in North Philadelphia. Founded in 1977 by a group of Puerto Rican activists seeking economic justice, well-being, and opportunity for Latino families, the organization provides comprehensive services in education, workforce development, health, housing, and family programs. While it primarily serves Latino women, children, and families, its doors are open to anyone in need.
Its programs include a federally qualified health center offering primary care services, domestic violence prevention programs, victim assistance services, after-school educational activities, GED preparation, and multiple professional certifications such as CDL and EMS. Additionally, it offers homebuyer workshops, foreclosure prevention support, and financial counseling.
On July 1, 1986, Nueva Esperanza, Inc. (now known as Esperanza) was founded with the goal of becoming a proactive organization focused on improving the holistic well-being of Latino families. Since its founding, Esperanza has worked to address the community’s multiple needs.
The organization develops educational programs that include in-person and cyber charter elementary and secondary schools, as well as a higher education institution. Esperanza promotes the development of affordable housing and supports low-income families in securing accessible rental opportunities or achieving the dream of homeownership. This work is complemented by immigration services that provide guidance and technical assistance to individuals seeking residency or citizenship, along with community outreach in neighborhoods.
For 35 years, Project HOME has been one of the most influential and committed organizations working to prevent and end homelessness.
The organization provides permanent and transitional supportive housing, healthcare, educational and employment opportunities, job training programs, and youth activities. Its comprehensive approach addresses both the immediate crisis of homelessness and its root causes. It supports individuals experiencing various forms of housing instability—from those chronically living on the streets to individuals facing mental health challenges, job loss, or grief. It also assists youth aging out of the foster care system and individuals lacking residential stability.
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia (JFCS)
With more than 170 years of service, JFCS focuses on providing comprehensive support to individuals of all ages. Although rooted in Jewish values, the organization emphasizes that its services are universal. Programs address basic needs such as housing, food, and access to public benefits, and include a mobile initiative that delivers food and clothing throughout the city.
In mental health, JFCS offers counseling, mobile therapy, and art therapy. The organization also supports Holocaust survivors, provides programs for youth, families, and seniors, and leads initiatives serving neurodiverse individuals and the LGBTQ+ community.
One of the largest hunger relief organizations in the region, Philabundance has served the community for more than 40 years and faces an increasingly challenging landscape. Operating in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, it serves nine counties where, according to leadership, rising costs of living have worsened food insecurity.
As a food bank, Philabundance distributes millions of meals each year through 350 partner organizations, including churches, schools, and community centers. Beyond food distribution, it offers a free workforce development program through the Philabundance Community Kitchen, which has operated for 25 years. There, low-income individuals receive culinary training and certification to improve their employment opportunities.
SEAMAAC (Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Associations Coalition)
Founded in 1984 to support Southeast Asian refugees, SEAMAAC’s mission has expanded significantly over the past four decades. “Our mission is essentially to help individuals, families, and communities that are economically, socially, and politically vulnerable—and truly help them thrive in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the United States,” explains Thoai Nguyen, the organization’s Executive Director.
Funding comes from city and state contracts, federal programs, private foundations, and individual donors who help fill gaps left by public systems. SEAMAAC serves refugees from Africa, Eastern Europe, Central America, South America, and Mexico. Its philosophy is clear: to strengthen a community, you must serve all of its members.
Founded in 1986 as a food cooperative aimed at bringing affordable food to communities without supermarkets and with limited access to nutritious products, SHARE has evolved into one of the most important food banks in the Philadelphia region. It serves individuals experiencing food insecurity through a network of more than 350 pantries and multiple programs.
Today, the organization operates throughout the metropolitan area, including neighborhoods where need has grown rapidly, such as Northeast Philadelphia and the city’s deep Southwest. Its mission, born from the heart of the community, is supported by hundreds of volunteers who pack food boxes, call seniors to coordinate deliveries, and assist at local pantries. SHARE also operates a home delivery program—especially for older adults—and an educational garden where nutrition workshops are held.
On February 26, organizations will receive the donations raised through Philly Gives. For more information about the initiative and future campaigns, visit phillygives.org.
