Income support

We help residents find and access public benefits. We also fund free tax preparation for lower-income workers and families.

Benefits enrollment and representation

We fund and operate BenePhilly, which offers free help applying for public benefits. This program is a partnership with five community-based organizations.

We fund legal help for residents whose benefits applications are denied. Community Legal Services provides this assistance.

Income tax preparation

We fund free income tax preparation for lower-income households. This helps everyone who’s eligible to claim the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit. These services are available through:

• Campaign for Working Families.
• Latino Economic Development Collaborative.

Housing security

We help renters keep their housing. We also fund services that help people who were incarcerated.

Rental assistance

We fund grants for rental arrears and security deposits. In some cases, we fund ongoing rental assistance for residents facing eviction. The Office of Homeless Services coordinates these efforts.

Reentry support

We fund financial and housing counseling for residents who were previously incarcerated. We also provide microgrants through this program. Clarifi provides this reentry support.

Resource connection

We provide referrals to resources that help residents find stability.

Neighborhood outreach

We fund and operate two outreach teams: Community Resource Corps and Philly Counts. These groups:

• Connect residents to resources.
• Canvas neighborhoods.
• Strategically connect the City to communities.

Health support

We fund and operate the Community Health Worker program. These workers offer confidential, client-centered advocacy and support. They help with issues including:

• Access to physical and mental health resources.
• Help applying for utility assistance programs.
• Referrals for medical transportation services.

Economic mobility

We help residents improve their financial status. We do this through financial counseling, consumer advocacy, and workforce training.

Financial counseling

We fund Financial Empowerment Centers that offer free one-on-one financial counseling. Clarifi provides this service, which helps residents:

• Reduce debt.
• Open bank accounts.
• Increase savings.
• Reach their financial goals.

Consumer protection

We co-chair the Consumer Financial Protection Task Force. This group coordinates enforcement, outreach, and legislative efforts to protect residents from unfair and deceptive business practices.

Workforce development

We fund workforce training and support to residents facing barriers to employment. We partner with:

• First Step Staffing.
• Center for Employment Opportunities.
• JEVS Human Services.

We’re also a backbone agency for Same Day Work and Pay. This program offers low-to-no barrier work opportunities. We also provide services to people reentering the workforce.

Capacity-building

We provide training on civic participation and volunteer management.

Community training

We fund and operate free virtual workshops through two different programs.

• For residents, we offer the Civic Engagement Academy Learning Series. This helps Philadelphians get more involved in their communities.
• For organizations, we offer the Volunteer Support Program. This supports groups that rely on volunteers to carry out their missions.

Service learning

We fund and operate the Serve Philadelphia VISTA Corps. VISTAs work with City departments to fight injustices and causes of poverty.

Place-based initiatives

These programs focus on the West Philadelphia Promise Zone.

Coordination

We coordinate efforts in the West Philadelphia Promise Zone. By collaborating with residents and dozens of organizations, we maximize our collective impact.

Career and college readiness

We fund the Promise Corps. We work with high school students as they plan their post-secondary futures. Our teams of college and career coaches work in four different schools based in West Philadelphia.