It’s Giving Tuesday, and we’re celebrating the local changemakers who help the Greater Philadelphia region thrive. These nonprofits, selected by WRTI’s staff, serve our community in meaningful and inspiring ways. We invite you to explore their stories and join us in honoring the people and programs that make our neighborhoods stronger.
1) The Attic Youth Center
The Attic Youth Center’s mission is to create opportunities for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning (LGBTQ) youth to develop into healthy, independent, civic-minded adults within a safe and supportive community and to promote the acceptance of LGBTQ youth in society. (This nonprofit was selected by WRTI's James Coates.)
https://atticyouthcenter.org/
2) Blackstar Film Festival
Blackstar Film Festivals mission is to celebrate via film the traditions of the African Diaspora and of global communities of color. (This nonprofit was selected by WRTI's Arajua Backman.)
https://www.blackstarfest.org/
3) Broad Street Love
By offering radical hospitality to our neighbors in need, Broad Street Love creates connection and community, restores hope and dignity, and increases security and self-sufficiency. (This nonprofit was selected by WRTI's John T.K. Scherch.)
https://broadstreetlove.org/
4) Chester County Food Bank
Chester County Food Bank is the central hunger relief organization in Chester County. They serve nearly 50,000 people by providing access to nutritious food and wellness. The organization has been around since 2009 with a goal to secure, manage and distribute food to those in need through donations, state and federal food assistance and programs by purchasing fresh and non-perishables using grant monies. (This nonprofit was selected by WRTI's Bob Craig.)
https://chestercountyfoodbank.org/
5) Clear Skies Ahead
The mission of Clear Skies Ahead is to improve aviation professionals' health and the safety of the national airspace system by funding research, education and support. (This nonprofit was selected by WRTI student worker Jake Flaschen.)
https://www.clearskiesaheadnonprofit.org/
6) Cradles to Crayons
Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive – at home, at school and at play. They supply these items free of charge by engaging and connecting communities. (This nonprofit was selected by WRTI's Nate Chinen.)
cradlestocrayons.org
7) Fairmount Park Conservancy
Fairmount Park Conservancy brings parks to life. They work with the City of Philadelphia and its communities to steward our parks and nurture our shared environment, cultural resources and public health. (This nonprofit was selected by WRTI's Joe Williams Jr.)
https://myphillypark.org/
8) Girls Inc. Philly
Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. (This nonprofit was selected by WRTI's Nicole Sweeney.)
girlsincpa-nj.org
9) Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. (This nonprofit was selected by WRTI's Karen Petrillo.)
www.habitat.org
10) Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia
With a mission to strengthen families and individuals across generations and cultures to achieve stability, independence, and community. JFCS of Greater Philadelphia works to fulfill that mission by adhering to the key principles of: Living their Jewish values and ethics. Serving all people, especially those most in need in their community. Acting with respect and compassion. Embracing diversity and inclusion. Being transparent and accountable. Using a person-centered and trauma-informed approach in all that they do. Pursuing excellence as a leading provider of individual and family services.
https://jfcsphilly.org/
11) Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard
Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard's mission is to facilitate the concept of "neighbors helping neighbors." They strive to keep families together by providing them with goods and services so they can become more self-sufficient over time. (This nonprofit was selected by WRTI's Lydia Veilleux.)
https://www.community-cupboard.org/
12) Mighty Writers
Mighty Writers’ mission is to teach kids to think clearly and write with clarity so they succeed in school, at work and in life. At their eight locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, they offer free high-quality after-school programs that improve academic performance, address educational and socioeconomic inequities, and build social-emotional skills. (This nonprofit was selected by WRTI's Julian Booker.)
mightywriters.org
13) Partners for Sacred Places
Partners for Sacred Places, founded in 1989, is the only national, non-sectarian, nonprofit organization focused on building the capacity of congregations and communities to preserve and make the most of historic sacred places. They help faith communities better serve their towns and neighborhoods, transform their spaces for the future, and shape vibrant, creative communities. (This nonprofit was selected by WRTI's Josh Jackson.)
https://sacredplaces.org/
14) Philabundance
Philabundance works to drive hunger from our communities today and end hunger for good. (This nonprofit was selected by WRTI's Melinda Whiting and Tyler McClure.)
https://www.philabundance.org/
15) Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS)
PHS believes in the power of horticulture to make positive social and environmental change. As a community, they invest time, passion, and money into public gardens and landscapes that further their cause. (This nonprofit was selected by WRTI's Zev Kane.)
https://phsonline.org/
16) Philly Cure HD
Philly Cure HD offers support to the local Huntington’s Disease community, educates the greater community about HD and the impact this neuro-degenerative genetic disorder has on individuals and families, and supports HD research.
phillycurehd.org
17) Philly PAWS
PAWS is dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless and at-risk pets and serving pet owners in need. PAWS is the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care for pet owners and rescue organizations that cannot otherwise access it. Each year, PAWS finds loving homes for thousands of animals in need and enables thousands more families to keep their cherished pets. Through rescue efforts, community support, and surrender prevention, PAWS is working to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home.
phillypaws.org
18) Play On Philly
Play On Philly provides underserved children in Philadelphia a transformative music education experience that develops and inspires the behaviors and personal skills needed for a successful life. (This nonprofit was selected by WRTI's Bill Johnson.)
https://playonphilly.org/
19) Singing City
Singing City is a socially conscious vocal movement that educates, motivates, and empowers communities by bringing people together to lift the human spirit through the artistry of choral music. (This nonprofit was selected by WRTI's Mike Bolton.)
https://www.singingcity.org/
20) Special Olympics PA - Philadelphia
The mission of Special Olympics Pennsylvania is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. (This nonprofit was selected by WRTI's Jerry Buckley.)
sopaphilly.org
21) Weathervane Music
Weathervane Music is a nonprofit whose mission is to advance independent music, art, and the communities that surround them. (This nonprofit was selected by WRTI's Robby Webb.)
https://weathervanemusic.org/
22) The Welcome Table at St. James School
The Welcome Table at St. James School designs community actions and creates spaces for members of their school and broader community to access essential needs and experience a community of sharing. (This nonprofit was selected by WRTI's Edirin Oputu.)
stjamesphila.org/welcome-table
23) Women Against Abuse
The mission of Women Against Abuse is to provide quality, compassionate, and nonjudgmental services in a manner that fosters self-respect and independence in persons experiencing intimate partner violence and to lead the struggle to end domestic violence through advocacy and community education. (This nonprofit was selected by WRTI's Porsche Blakey Hill.)
https://www.womenagainstabuse.org/
Your generosity keeps WRTI strong and allows us to celebrate the organizations that strengthen our community. Your support makes it happen. Donate today.