Investing in Civic Life Across Greater Philadelphia
The Abele Family Foundation is a private family civic foundation dedicated to civic education, youth leadership development, neighborhood revitalization, and arts enrichment. Since our founding by Richard P. Abele in 1994, we have invested over $8.7 million in programs and partnerships that strengthen the democratic fabric and physical infrastructure of communities throughout the greater Philadelphia region, the Delaware Valley, and across Pennsylvania.
Five Pillars of Civic Investment
Our grantmaking concentrates on five interconnected program areas that together build stronger, more engaged, and more resilient communities across the greater Philadelphia region. Each pillar reflects the Foundation's core conviction that civic participation and neighborhood vitality are mutually reinforcing forces.
Civic Education
We fund non-partisan civic education programs in schools and community settings that teach democratic participation, media literacy, constitutional principles, and voter engagement. Our civic education grants have reached over 28,000 students and residents since 2002, partnering with school districts, libraries, and community organizations to build an informed and active citizenry.
Learn more →Youth Leadership
Our Youth Civic Leaders Fellowship and after-school enrichment grants develop the next generation of civic-minded leaders. Through mentorship pairings, civic internship placements, and leadership development workshops, we have supported over 1,200 young Philadelphians in building the skills and confidence to serve their communities. Alumni have gone on to careers in public service, education, law, and community organizing.
Learn more →Neighborhood Revitalization
Our Neighborhood Catalyst Grants invest in the physical and social infrastructure of underserved Philadelphia neighborhoods. From commercial corridor improvements and community garden installations to adaptive reuse projects and community land trust planning, we work alongside resident-led organizations to ensure that revitalization efforts reflect the priorities and aspirations of the people who live there.
Learn more →Arts & Culture
Arts and cultural enrichment strengthen the civic and social bonds that hold neighborhoods together. Our micro-grants and program funding support public art installations, community performance series, youth arts workshops, and cultural festivals that bring diverse neighbors into shared creative spaces. We have funded over 85 arts projects reaching more than 18,000 participants since 2005.
Learn more →Capacity Building
Strong organizations produce lasting impact. Our Capacity Building Partnership provides emerging non-profits with intensive organizational development support including strategic planning, board governance training, financial systems implementation, and fundraising infrastructure. Each cohort receives twelve months of structured consulting alongside peer learning with fellow grantees, building sustainable institutional foundations.
Learn more →Special Initiatives
Beyond our five core programs, the Foundation periodically launches targeted special initiatives responding to emerging community needs. Recent special initiatives include emergency stabilization grants for organizations affected by the pandemic, a climate resilience planning pilot for three Philadelphia neighborhoods, and a digital equity partnership providing refurbished devices and broadband stipends to low-income families.
View our impact →Find the Right Grant for Your Project
Not sure which Abele Family Foundation program is the best fit for your organization or project? Our Grant Eligibility Finder walks you through five quick questions about your organization type, project focus, budget range, geographic location, and organizational maturity to generate a personalized list of matching grant programs with current deadlines and award amounts.
The assessment takes under two minutes to complete and provides immediate results. Whether you are a veteran non-profit director exploring new funding sources or a grassroots neighborhood association seeking your first grant, the Finder helps you identify the opportunities that align with your work.
Take the Assessment →Grant Eligibility Finder
5 questions · Instant results · Personalized matches
What Our Partners Say
“The Abele Family Foundation's Neighborhood Catalyst Grant was transformative for our commercial corridor work in Germantown. Beyond the funding, their team provided invaluable strategic guidance that helped us leverage an additional $340,000 in matching funds from the City and LISC. They understand that neighborhood revitalization must be community-driven to be sustainable.”
“As a Youth Civic Leaders Fellow, I was placed at a City Council office where I helped coordinate constituent services and community engagement events. That experience confirmed my calling to public service. I am now in my second year of law school with a focus on community development law, and I trace it directly back to the Foundation's investment in my development.”
“The Capacity Building Partnership gave our young organization the structural foundation we needed to grow responsibly. The strategic planning process, board development workshops, and financial management training were exactly what we needed at that stage. Two years later, our annual budget has tripled and we serve four times as many families.”
Ready to Strengthen Your Community?
Whether you are an established non-profit, a community organization, a school, or an individual civic leader, the Abele Family Foundation is here to support your work. Our next grant cycle opens January 2027.