News
The Museum of the American Revolution will display Thomas Jefferson’s chair and Martin Luther King’s prison bench
The exhibit, starting later this year, represents the first time the two iconic objects have been displayed side-by-side. When envisioning its major exhibition marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, the Museum of the American Revolution sought out objects that represent the document’s enduring power, complexity, and unfilled promise. Two of […]
...What will Philly look like in 250 years? Help describe the city’s future
With residents from across the city, we’re crafting a semiquincentennial vision statement to take us to 2276 and beyond. As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States — a movement that was created, debated and consecrated in Philadelphia — let’s look ahead another quarter millennium. What will Philadelphia […]
...Philly’s new Independence holiday gets to the heart of America
A founding father thought July 2 should be celebrated with “Pomp and Parade.” Philly decided to finally heed his call. Philadelphia celebrated a new holiday called Red, White, & Blue To-Do on Tuesday, exactly 248 years after one of the country’s founding fathers predicted it. Further proof to never give up on your American dream, […]
...Announcements
announcements
Press Release - 07/09/2025
The Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial, a consortium of foundations, companies, and trusts committed to funding the nation’s semiquincentennial, has awarded 125 grants totaling $15 million to support Philadelphia-area nonprofits as they prepare and implement programs commemorating the 250th birthday of the United States on July 4, 2026. The Funder Collaborative includes seven Philadelphia-area institutions: the William Penn Foundation, the Connelly Foundation, The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Neubauer Family Foundation, the Knight Foundation, the Hamilton Family Charitable Trust, and Comcast NBCUniversal. Each of the seven partner organizations has committed at least $1 million to the Funder Collaborative, which has raised a total of more than $16 million. Including their contributions to the Funder Collaborative, the seven partners have made total philanthropic awards worth more than $42 million to 2026 programming in Philadelphia. The Connelly Foundation has served as the administrator of the Funder Collaborative since its inception.
announcements
Press Release - 08/08/23
The Connelly Foundation, the William Penn Foundation, the Pew Charitable Trusts, and the Neubauer Family Foundation today announced the launch of a philanthropic initiative: the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial. The four grantmakers have committed $9 million to the Funder Collaborative, which is intended to provide financial support to Philadelphia-region nonprofits as they prepare and implement programs commemorating the 250th birthday of the United States on July 4, 2026.