@collegetogether , an ELF grantee partner, celebrated its largest graduating class ever – 33 students! This year's graduates included 8 high school students who obtained their associate’s degrees debt-free before their high school graduation, which was funded through College Together's dual enrollment partnership with @masteryschools . One standout graduate, Jae Scarborough, earned an associate’s and bachelor’s degree within six months - the fastest in College Together's history. Congrats to all the graduates!
We are thrilled to welcome Joy Chen as our summer intern. Joy is a student at Temple University where she is majoring in Biology and on the pre-med track. She spent 6 years serving as Student President and Youth Environmental Leader for Community Fund grantee partner @discoverypathways . During her time at Discovery Pathways, she also served as a Dragon Boat Team Captain. We are excited to have her working with us this summer.
#Equitytrust, a former Partnership Fund grantee partner, is looking for its next Executive Director. The next leader will guide the organization's work to promote equity by changing the way people think about and hold property. In addition to supervising staff, fundraising, and establishing a vision for the future, the next leader will expand the solidarity‑economy and land‑justice networks, and help draw attention to the racial dimensions of unequal access to property ownership. Click the link in our bio to see the position description and apply.
Students from Community Fund grantee partner @wepacreads were visited by scientists from the @uofpenn Microbiology Department. In addition to sharing their scientific expertise, the scientists also read “Better Than A Touchdown” by @jalenhurts . Students left the library knowing they can achieve their dreams, whether that’s being an athlete or a scientist. Swipe to see the scientists in action.
Last year, Community Fund grantee partner @pyplaywrights launched the Adamson Arts Access Fund in memory of a long-time PYP staffer. Through this fund, the organization brought 42 students to see Miz Martha at @thewilmatheater and Good Bones at @ardentheatreco earlier in the year. Students from @kensingtonhighschool , @philadelphiamilitaryacademy , and from the PYP’s Resident Playwrights and Civic Theater Project attended the performances. Click the link in our bio to learn more about the Adamson Arts Access Fund and how it allows Philly kids to see free performances.
@commonmkt , a Partnership Fund grantee partner, has created the Farm Impact Assessment tool to help customers understand the values behind what they buy. The Farm Impact Assessment helps The Common Market and customers better understand how each of their farm partners approaches:
🌍 Environmental sustainability;
🤝 Community impact & economic justice;
🥕 Nutritious and clean products; and
🐄 Animal welfare
By collecting this data directly from growers, The Common Market can tell a deeper story that goes beyond organic labels and connect customers to the practices that nourish the soil, protect the climate, and build stronger communities. Click the link in our bio to read the Farm Impact Assessment.
3 ELF grantee partners were in attendance today at the @weareedloc national convening, and working to reimagine and rebuild our education system. Thanks to @wenimookoya from @healingschools for sharing a picture of Donnell from @joinprelude and @viritule from @immschools on stage.
Teens from Community Fund grantee partner @discoverypathways were featured in @thephiladelphiacitizen Citizen for qualifying for the Dragon Boat World Championship in Taiwan. The article highlights how the organization’s Executive Director @adamforbes29 started a team for young people after participating in an adult dragon boat club, and shares an update about the team’s $9,000 fundraising goal. Click the link in our bio to read more about Discovery Pathways’ history of dragon boat success and team members’ journey as leaders and athletes.
Community Fund grantee partner @ngtrust is celebrating adding six permanently preserved community gardens to its portfolio. This brings the total to 61 protected community gardens across Philadelphia. By working with neighbors and community members, and through generous support from the Philadelphia City Council, NGT was able to acquire the gardens from the #philadelphialandbank. The new gardens include:
· 15th Street Garden in Point Breeze;
· Pemberton Sitting Garden;
· Chester Ave Garden in the Kingsessing section of Southwest Philadelphia;
· Holly Street Neighbors Community Garden;
· Cleveland Street Garden, which began in 2020 during the COVID pandemic; and
· Miracle on Oakford Street Garden.
mons, a Partnership Fund grantee partner, recently hosted a webinar to review the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new grant terms. The webinar focused on USDA’s new standardized general terms and conditions for grants and cooperative agreements. Attendees received information about how the updated information applied to DEI and gender civil rights certifications. The webinar also touched upon what civil rights laws changed, and which laws stayed the same, how to certify compliance with the new grant terms, and how targeted outreach or organizational mission language could raise questions from federal officials.
Click the link in our bio to listen to the webinar and read Farm Commons’ guide to complying with the USDA requirements.
Students from Community Fund grantee partner @needindeed are bringing their curriculum to life and various ways and taking learning outside of the classroom to address real-world challenges. Students from Carver Middle School and High School for Engineering and Science visited the central library to learn how to do research. Students in the 5th grade from Kirkbride Elementary School spoke with representatives from Juntos about local immigration issues. Students in the 7th grade at Bregy Elementary considered the importance of community assets like parks, hospitals, and grocery stores and discussed local issues that are important to them.
Swipe to see these young people learning about the world around them and applying the curriculum in innovative ways.
Hillary Do, the Executive Director of Community Fund grantee partner, @phillybolt , was recognized as a 2026 City & State Pennsylvania Honoree. The award celebrates leaders across various sectors, including law, healthcare, and education and highlights the mentorship they demonstrate on behalf of their organizations. Hillary was one of several women who were honored for their mentorship and accomplishments in communities across Philadelphia. Click the link in our bio to read more about the honorees and Hillary’s segment in the latest issue of City & State.
