Supported Projects & Apply for Funding
The Washington Square West Trust has provided funds to the following organizations and/or entities to enhance the quality of life for the Washington Square West neighborhood. The Trust does not have any programs of its own; rather, it funds organizations that are congruent to the goals of the Trust. The following organizations fulfill the program goals of the Trust.
To inquire about how the Trust can support your project or organization, please email us at washwesttrust@gmail.com.
Recent Projects
Independence Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia — Building fund, grants for book purchases, and purchase of stools for the children’s area for the Independence Branch, which serves the Washington Square West neighborhood. Replace water damaged carpeting and supply paint. Repaint and replace furniture in Chinese language book nook.
Friends of Louis I. Kahn Park — Funding for annual summer concert series and park repairs. Fund tree trimming.
Friends of Seger Park Playground — Funding for benches, tree trimming, fencing, tennis court resurfacing, basketball court renovation and upkeep, facility maintenance, materials for construction and maintenance of the dog park, and the early design and construction of the playground.
Historic Antique Row Business Association — Provided funding to promote Antique Row, an historic business district in the heart of the Washington Square West neighborhood.
McCall Elementary & Middle School — Funding for Promethean interactive whiteboards and laptops, supply computer chargers for students, provide annual grant to cover ongoing school infrastructure needs.
Philadelphia Police Department (South Street Mini-Station) — Funding for computers and bicycles, supply giveaways like key chains with an alarm function.
Third District Police Mini-Station - Support for personal alarm devices distributed at an event organized at Casa Farnese.
Virginia Trosino Tree Tender Scholarships and Greening Grants (Program Now Retired) — Scholarships to tree-tending classes offered by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the School of Arboriculture at the Morris Arboretum. Recipients of the scholarship must be residents of the Washington Square West neighborhood, and must clearly express their intent to use their gained knowledge for the benefit of the neighborhood.
Washington Square West Civic Association — Co-sponsor for the neighborhood clean-up, co-sponsor for the replacement and installation of new outdoor light fixtures to promote nighttime security throughout the neighborhood, and historical signage.
Washington Square West Town Watch — Funding for conference participation and purchase of hooded sweatshirts for Town Watch volunteers.
Waverly Street Garden — Replaced fence.
West Washington Square Historic District Re-Planting — Funding of the planting of trees within the proposed District that were common when the neighborhood was first developed.
Apply for Funding
To apply for funding, email the following information to washwesttrust@gmail.com. The Trust meets four times per year. You will be notified when we receive your application and when a decision is made.
Before applying, please make sure that the project lies within the designated boundaries. (The area known as Washington Square West is bounded by the east side of Seventh Street, the north side of Chestnut Street, the east side of Broad Street and the north side of South Street. The neighborhood follows William Penn’s original grid layout for the city, with many one-lane and pedestrian side streets added later as the population became more dense. In addition to the block sized Washington Square Park to the East, the neighborhood contains the smaller Kahn Park, named after the Philadelphia architect Louis I. Kahn.)
Include the following information in your email request:
Point Person's Name:
Preferred Contact Info (phone or email or both):
Organization Name:
Overall cost of project:
Amount of grant requested ($500-$10,000);
Description of project and how it will improve the neighborhood:
Anything else you’d like to know:
Let us know if you have any questions!