The Horner Foundation: Philadelphia Grants
/OVERVIEW: This funder supports education nonprofits for at-risk youth between the ages of 10 and 19 in four geographic regions. One of these regions is Philadelphia, where the focus is sports-based programs.
FUNDING AREAS: Education for at-risk and vulnerable youth, sports-based youth development
IP TAKE: If you’re in Philadelphia, make sure your letter of intent is about a sports-based after-school program that benefits underprivileged youth in the city. While the foundation’s overall grantmaking is more broad, it’s Philadelphia giving is very specific.
PROFILE: Based in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, the Horner Foundation prioritizes nonprofit causes in Philadelphia, specifically experiential education to support at-risk youth and families. In addition to Central Philadelphia, the foundation also supports nonprofits in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, Greater Victoria in British Columbia, and Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire in England.
Horner’s work centers on economically disadvantaged and low-income youth in all of its geographic interest regions. Horner prefers to support small and mid-sized organizations that serve youth between the ages of 10 and 19. In Philadelphia, Horner leans toward groups that emphasize sports-based youth development and after-school programs for underserved youth. The emphasis varies from one geographic location to another.
According to the foundation’s mission in Philadelphia:
Sports-Based Youth Development (SBYD) Programs are “a methodology that uses sports to provide the supports and opportunities youth need to be healthy contributing citizens now and as adults. A sports-based youth development program offers youth an experience in which they learn and master sports skills along with life and leadership skills in a safe, fun, supportive, and challenging environment. This experience involves caring relationships, facilitated learning, experiential learning, and vigorous physical activity."
Horner grants typically range between $10,000 and $50,000 per year, and it typically funds organizations for two years. The foundation awards grants for projects as well as capital funding needs like salary and infrastructure costs. It typically makes two-year awards every other year; therefore, the next funding cycles are expected to open in 2019 and 2021. Each cycle begins with a letter of intent process. Past Philadelphia grantees include Legacy Youth Tennis & Education, Neighborhood Bike Works, Squash Smarts, and the International Student Academy. A full list of recent grantees is available on the foundation’s grantee page.
Past and present officers, directors, trustees and managers include Ann Marie Horner, Terry Horner, Meghan Horner-Smith, Carolyn Horner, Damon Levy, Kathryn Horner, Tracy Cullen, Gabrielle Horner, and Andy Horner-Smith. To learn about upcoming funding cycles or to ask any questions, you can reach out to the staff at HornerEd@gmail.com.
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