The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation was chartered in 1891, and we have been supporting and uplifting communities (our theme for 2025) ever since. In fact, we have helped fund 154 programs in 54 locations, benefiting Over 2.2 million people and counting. Here are just a few of the many ways we foster unity and cultural connections in Philly.
Education
Foundation programs and events like the Author Series, Read by 4th, and One Book, One Philadelphia are well known and loved throughout the city. But our work extends beyond the Library walls to promote literacy and a life-long love of learning in the heart of the community.
To celebrate Reading Promise Week (part of our work with the Read by 4th initiative) we held five community festivals this past year, connecting families to literacy information and resources in their neighborhoods. We also expanded our Philly ABCs initiative, which recently earned a prestigious Silver Anthem Award, to additional sites in West and Southwest Philadelphia.
According to Jenny Bogoni, our Chief of Community Engagement and Public Programs, and Simone Partridge, our Director of Communications, “The Philly ABCs resonate not only with children but parents and caregivers who may not have grown up seeing characters that look like them in educational materials. Also, never underestimate the impact of a healthy dose of Philly pride.”
Resources
Library resources supported by The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, like the Culinary Literacy Center (CLC) and Languages and Learning, are crucial for many Philly residents. They also help to foster unity and cultural connections in our city.
Since opening in 2014, the CLC has been an inspiration for libraries and community centers across the county, bringing people together through a shared love of cooking. This program builds community and promotes civic dialogue while “showcasing the diversity of tastes and cultures in Philadelphia.” The CLC also offers a free English Language Learning (ELL) program, Edible Alphabet, that teaches English language and literacy skills through hands-on cooking projects.
Languages and Learning supports the individual literacy and learning goals of Philadelphia’s adults. Whether someone is studying a new language, preparing for their GED or citizenship exam, or focused on personal and professional skill development, a vast database of digital resources is available. In addition to classes at Free Library locations, there are also free online courses that allow people to work at their own pace.
Access to Opportunities
Programs supported by The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation help provide access to opportunities for Philly residents of all ages. Take the Business Resource and Innovation Center (BRIC) and the Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program (LEAP), for example.
Located on the ground floor of the Parkway Central Library, “BRIC helps entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and inventors at every stage,” including a wealth of accessible print and digital resources, public programs and individualized guidance in research and skill development, and free headshots on the first and third Thursday of the month.
LEAP is offered throughout the school year at no cost and fosters an inclusive, informal learning environment for local K-12 students. This program provides enrichment activities in STEAM and the humanities, as well as homework assistance and life-skills workshops. LEAP also employs After-School Leaders and Teen Leadership Assistants at neighborhood Library locations to advance workforce development.
Your generosity and dedication to our organization positively impacts our city and helps us fund the vital programs mentioned here—and so much more! For more information on how you can help us support the Free Library of Philadelphia, now and for generations to come, click here.
The Free Library is one of the most important educational and cultural institutions in Philadelphia. While the City of Philadelphia provides public funds for the operations of the Free Library, it is through the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation and the generosity of private funding from individuals, foundations, and corporations that the Free Library is able to offer many of the Library’s incredible programs and activities that advance literacy, guide learning, inspire curiosity throughout the region, and help deliver on the promise of an equitable future for all of Philadelphia’s children, families, and communities.