OVERVIEW: The Joseph Kennard Skilling Trust supports arts and culture, education, environment, animal welfare, health, human services, public and society benefit and religion in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
FUNDING AREAS: Arts and culture, education, environment, animal welfare, health, human services, public and society benefit, religion
IP TAKE: Although this Philadelphia funder has very broad philanthropic interests, it also tends to fund the same types of local organizations each year to serve the most disadvantaged populations with essential services. This is a tougher nut to crack if you’re new on their radar. However, the foundation does accept unsolicited applications.
PROFILE: Established in 1963, the Joseph Kennard Skilling Trust is a private foundation managed by Wells Fargo Philanthropic Services, which serves as a trustee for the foundation. Additional trustees are Christina A. McKinley, Mary Ellen Landreth and William W. Spalding, Esq. The founder, Skilling, was known as a kind and generous man who cared greatly for other people. He passed away in 1974 and created this trust to continue sharing his wealth with the local community in Philadelphia even after his death. The foundation aims to “provide support to social welfare agencies for programs benefiting the citizens of the community of Philadelphia. It funds local efforts for arts and culture, education, environment, animal welfare, health, human services, public and society benefit and religion.
The Joseph Kennard Skilling Trust has various grantmaking priorities within these broad areas of interest to focus its giving more specifically. Care and support of the elderly, children and youth at risk and spousal and child abuse are foundation interests. It also awards grants to help rehabilitate the homeless, care for people who are mentally and physically impaired, educate disadvantaged youth and adults and provide support, education and counseling for families. The trustees look for requests that highlight the effectiveness of a proposed program, the professionalism of the organization, financial management by the organization and how necessary the program is in the community. However, the funder does not typically give money for building and construction projects, equipment except when it is relevant for disadvantaged youth education or certain health and hospital organizations. Certain types of private school scholarships, physical therapy programs, branches of national organizations and religious organizations are also on this funder’s list of limitations.
Grants range between about $1,000 and $10,000. The funder gives approximately 65 grants per year. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The trust is not restricted to these geographic limitations but yet makes almost all grants in Philadelphia communities. Past local grantees include Philabundance, Mighty Writers and the Supportive Older Women’s Network.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. The grant application deadlines each year are April 15 and October 1. Grantseekers should submit their requests electronically through the Wells Fargo online grants system. The funder accepts applications submitted throughout the year and reviews them at semi-annual meetings in May and November. Applicants can expect to receive an automated email confirming submission of their requests. Direct general questions to the staff at grantadministration@wellsfargo.com or 888-235-4351.
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