Yes Fund
Micro-grants for Southwest Philadelphia
Do you live in Southwest? Do you have a great idea that could bring together the community? You could receive a Yes Fund grant to support a Southwest Philadelphia project focused on creative expression, connection to nature, community well-being, or youth engagement. The Yes Fund is a simple micro-grant program for local residents, designed to say YES! to community leadership.
To learn more, contact Sophia Poe, Community Partnerships Manager, at or text 215-609-8132.
Recent Yes Fund projects include:
Relax and Craft
Relax and Craft, an outdoor event led by Bartram Village resident and senior gardener Kia Linder of Floret Vanguards. Aimed at helping youth identify and manage stress through arts and crafts, youth and families created scented bath balms and other hand-crafted items to promote relaxation and de-stress.
Southwest Wellness 5K Walk/Run
The Southwest Wellness 5K Walk/Run along the Bartram’s Mile Trail, in memory of local educator Donna Comrie. Proceeds from the Walk/Run support the Donna Comrie Foundation’s scholarship fund for young woman who are graduating high school and heading to college. The Walk/Run is a semi-annual event. Click here for a reflection from organizer Nakia Fields on the Fall 2019 event.
Woodland Academy Home & School Activity Kits
Woodland Academy Home & School Activity Kits, supporting 18 local families. Kits are designed to help young children and their families practice sensory and gross motor skills, encourage literacy and math skills, and learn about science at home.
Born Leader Family Senior Luncheons
Born Leader Family Senior Luncheons, feeding 60–100 elders through a safe outdoor lunch program in a local community green space. Born Leader Family uses sports and community initiatives to keep youth engaged.
Southwest Youth Completing Online Schoolwork
Support for Southwest Youth Completing Online Schoolwork, led by the NoMo Foundation. The NoMo Foundation supported 30 local students with internet access and Chromebooks, along with weekly virtual meetings to discuss goal-setting and entrepreneurship.
Free Community Protective Supplies Pick-Up
Free Community Protective Supplies Pick-Up, distributing cleaning supplies, laundry supplies, gloves, hand sanitizer, and more through a free pick-up outside Rhythm and Brunch restaurant on Elmwood Avenue. The goal was to support locals in minimizing household germs during the COVID19 pandemic.
Virtual Afterschool Activities
Virtual Afterschool Activities with the ECO Foundation and Richard Allen Preparatory Charter School. The ECO Foundation supported 25 RAPCS students aged 13–15 with virtual afterschool programming focused on Movement & Mindfulness and Advocacy & Creative Expression. This project also connected with the NoMo Foundation’s work to support a participating student who needed internet access.
Youth Mentoring Keepsake
Youth Mentoring Keepsake for the Kings Mentoring Program at Mortin Elementary School, a weekly brotherhood circle for roughly 40 young students focused on mental health, overcoming adversity, respect, and leadership.
