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Search Through History Grants in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the U.S.

The Charlotte Cushman Foundation Grant supports qualified non-profit theaters in the Greater Philadelphia area, providing funding for actors' salaries in specific staged productions. Organizations must hold 501(c)(3) status and can only receive funding for one production per calendar year. Proposals are due two months prior to the performance date, ensuring timely support for innovative theater projects, especially those adapting to new performance venues due to circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Costco Wholesale Charitable Contributions program prioritizes support for children, education, and health services within local communities. Nonprofit organizations seeking assistance must be 501(c)(3) certified and focus on monetary requests. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, factoring in community needs and collaboration. However, Costco limits grants to 10% of the program budget and typically restricts organizations to one request per fiscal year. They do not fund individuals or direct aid for various specific purposes.

The Labcorp Charitable Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) entity, aims to enhance healthcare access and education for all. With grant opportunities focusing on food programs, healthcare services for underserved populations, and STEM initiatives, it seeks to support community health and well-being. Organizations eligible for funding must be U.S.-based and hold tax-exempt status. Requests are reviewed biannually, in March and September, to foster impactful community projects.

The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage offers Capacity Building Grants to support organizations in enhancing their professional capabilities within contemporary art and public history. Grants range from $2,500 to $7,500, focusing on research, travel, and technical assistance for grant proposal preparation. Eligible applicants include organizations with a 501(c)(3) designation in the Philadelphia region. Priority is given to those with operating budgets under $500,000 and first-time applicants.

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993, is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities worldwide through health, education, and disaster relief initiatives. Founded by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, it began by funding an orphanage in Romania. The foundation also operates locally, providing free healthcare through the Maliheh Free Clinic in Utah. Its commitment to human welfare drives impactful partnerships in countries such as Afghanistan, India, and South Africa, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

The Bank of America Foundation Sponsorship Program aims to enhance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. This initiative focuses on critical areas such as workforce education, basic needs like food and housing, and community development. The Foundation invested $350 million last year and encourages employee volunteerism and giving, supporting nonprofits in various sectors, including arts, culture, and diversity initiatives.

The Cowles Charitable Trust Grant supports initiatives aligned with the philanthropic legacy of Gardner Cowles, Jr. Focused on education, social justice, health, and the arts, it favors organizations recognized as 501(c)(3) by the IRS. The Trust encourages applications for general operating support and seeks partnerships rather than being the sole funder. Notably, it considers applications from established partners and supports efforts in Downstate New York and South Florida, with a preference for diverse funding sources.

The David Center for the American Revolution at the American Philosophical Society offers short-term resident research fellowships for scholars focused on the American Revolution and Founding Era. Awarded fellows receive a stipend of $3,000 for a one-month residency, enabling them to utilize extensive collections, including manuscripts and microfilms. Open to Ph.D. holders and candidates, these fellowships are available from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027, promoting research that contributes to the understanding of early American history.

The Swan Foundation offers short-term research fellowships for scholars interested in Revolutionary-Era Material Culture (1750-1820). Hosted by the Swan Historical Foundation and the American Philosophical Society, this fellowship supports one month of research in their extensive collections. Eligible applicants include Ph.D. holders and candidates. A stipend of $3,000 is provided, with opportunities for additional funding for travel to the Swan Foundation. Fellowships can start from June 1, 2025, and must be completed by May 31, 2026.

The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage offers Evolving Futures Grants to support organizations in implementing strategic changes to their operational models, enhancing viability and sustainability. These grants are for entities that have identified critical operational challenges and developed actionable plans. Eligible organizations must have a history of project grants from Pew, be located in the Philadelphia region, and primarily serve public audiences, among other criteria.

The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage offers Evolving Futures Grants to support organizations in rethinking their business models for future sustainability. These grants provide essential risk-capital for transformative projects that enhance organizational readiness. Eligible applicants must have received previous grants from the Center and demonstrate a commitment to change, with a focus on art and public history programs. This initiative emphasizes research, strategic planning, and feasibility studies to prepare for significant operational shifts.

The J.W. Couch Foundation Grant focuses on supporting Wildlife Conservation nonprofit organizations that align with their mission of community betterment and environmental protection. The foundation seeks partnerships with organizations that promote animal wellbeing, early childhood education, teacher support, and outdoor activities. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)3 nonprofits or for-profit entities aligned with their charitable programs. This grant emphasizes collaboration and community engagement to create lasting impacts.

The Pennsylvania Heartland Unit Scholarship offers a $2,000 award to students actively engaged in horticulture or related fields. Eligible candidates include full-time undergraduates entering their sophomore, junior, or senior years, as well as graduate students enrolled in pertinent programs. Applicants must reside in Southeast Pennsylvania, encompassing counties such as Berks, Bucks, Chester, and others. This scholarship encourages students to deepen their understanding of horticulture and contribute to their communities.

The Leo and Peggy Pierce Family Foundation focuses on ending hunger and food insecurity in the five-county Philadelphia region and Indian River County, Florida. Established in 1997, it supports organizations that provide direct services or advocacy efforts in this area. Grants are available to IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations, allowing them to apply once every year. The foundation embodies the legacy of Leo and Peggy Pierce, who dedicated their lives to helping others.

The Community Voices Fund, managed by the Independence Public Media Foundation, aims to support creative, community-centered media projects in Greater Philadelphia. By providing one-year, non-renewable grants ranging from $10,000 to $30,000, it seeks to strengthen social justice movements and community organizing. Eligible applicants include 501(c)3 nonprofits with budgets under $1 million, focusing on narratives that challenge systemic oppression. This initiative emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and the amplification of marginalized voices.

The Philadelphia City Community Fund offers annual grants to support local organizations aiming to enhance community well-being. With an average annual funding of $250,000, it prioritizes small nonprofits providing out-of-school time (OST) programming for youth. Eligible applicants must demonstrate 501(c)(3) status and address specific community needs, particularly in designated priority ZIP codes. This initiative aligns with the city's commitment to improving quality of life through equitable access to essential services and resources for children and families.

The Georgia-Pacific Foundation Grant supports organizations in the Metro Atlanta area, focusing on education, entrepreneurship, community enrichment, and environmental sustainability. Established in 1958, the foundation prioritizes investments that align with its mission and values, promoting long-term well-being within communities where Georgia-Pacific operates. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public schools, and local government entities located within 30 miles of GP manufacturing sites.

The Presser Foundation, established in 1939, offers grants between $2,500 and $50,000 to support music organizations across diverse genres. Focused on fostering music education and philanthropy, the Foundation seeks to empower non-profit, 501(c)(3) organizations within a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia. However, it does not fund theater or dance productions. Proposals are evaluated based on organizational accomplishments, community value, stability, and overall contributions to the music community.

The Balch Fellowship, offered by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, supports research in various fields related to American history, particularly focusing on ethnic and immigrant studies. Each year, two to three fellows receive a $3,000 stipend for one month of residency in Philadelphia. This fellowship allows scholars to explore topics such as immigrant experiences and American cultural history, utilizing the extensive collections of the Historical Society and the Library Company of Philadelphia.

The Albert M. Greenfield Fellowship, awarded by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, provides a $3,000 stipend for one month of research residency focused on 20th-century history. This fellowship supports advanced, postdoctoral, dissertation, and creative research projects, utilizing HSP's vast collections that encompass diverse historical subjects. With additional access to the Library Company of Philadelphia, fellows can explore rich resources in American and regional history, enhancing their scholarly work.

The Esther Ann McFarland Fellowship, awarded by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, supports advanced research in its extensive collections, focusing on 17th-century Pennsylvania, especially New Sweden, or African American history. This fellowship includes a one-month residency in Philadelphia and a stipend of $3,000. It is designed for advanced, postdoctoral, and dissertation research, allowing scholars to explore diverse historical topics, including the contributions of early Swedish settlers and the impact of African American communities.

The Indian Rights Association Fellowship, awarded by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, supports one month of research residency in Native American studies. This fellowship offers a $3,000 stipend for advanced, postdoctoral, and dissertation research, encouraging exploration of the HSP's extensive Indian Rights Association Records. Open to various topics, it aims to foster scholarly work on the history and rights of Native Americans, enhancing understanding of their cultural heritage and historical narratives.

The Richardson Dilworth Fellowship, awarded by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, provides a $3,000 stipend for one month of research in Philadelphia. This fellowship supports advanced, postdoctoral, and dissertation projects focusing on legal or political history and reform movements. The society's extensive collections cover a range of topics related to American history, including women's history and ethnic studies, making it a valuable resource for researchers in various fields.

The Robert L. McNeil Jr. Fellowship, offered by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, supports advanced research in early American history. Each year, four fellowships are awarded, providing a stipend of $2,500 for one month of residency in Philadelphia during the summer. This fellowship encourages scholars to utilize the extensive collections at the Historical Society, which encompass diverse fields and significant historical documents, enriching the understanding of America's past.

The David Center for the American Revolution offers a nine-month residential postdoctoral fellowship for graduate students focusing on the American Revolution and Founding Era (1750-1800). This fellowship, based at the American Philosophical Society Library & Museum, is designed for advanced Ph.D. candidates nearing dissertation completion. A stipend of $50,000 per year for two years is available. The fellowship emphasizes the importance of utilizing the extensive collections at the APS and encourages applicants from both U.S. and foreign backgrounds.

The David Center for the American Revolution Predoctoral Fellowship at the American Philosophical Society provides a nine-month residential opportunity for Ph.D. candidates focused on the American Revolution and Founding Era. The fellowship offers a $25,000 stipend and a $5,000 travel/research fund. Applicants should demonstrate the necessity of using the center's extensive collections and the ability to complete their project on time. Open to all graduate students, it does not provide visa sponsorship.

APS/CSHL Undergraduate Summer Internship in the History of Biology

The American Philosophical Society’s Center for the History of Science and the Center for Humanities and the History of Modern Biology at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory invite applications for a joint summer internship program for undergraduates working on junior or senior research projects related to the history of the life sciences.

This eight-week hybrid internship offers funding for one undergraduate to conduct research using the rich archival collections at both the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in Cold Spring Harbor, New York. The intern will divide their time between both institutions and will benefit from hands-on research guidance, mentorship, and networking opportunities. The intern will be expected to deliver a presentation on their research as part of the program and complete a short essay or blog post about their work.

The internship will take place from May 18 through July 10, 2026. The intern will be expected to be in-residence at Cold Spring Harbor between June 1-June 12 and at the American Philosophical Society between June 15-June 26. The first and last two weeks of the internship will be completed remotely.

The intern will receive a stipend of $2,000, as well as funding to support travel (up to $500). CSHL and APS will also secure and cover the costs of housing in Cold Spring Harbor and Philadelphia.

Possible research areas include:

• Genetics, heredity, genomics
• Genetic engineering
• Eugenics
• Molecular biology
• Microbiology
• Cancer research
• Evolution
• Embryology and development
• Conferences/symposia and institutional history