The Townsend Foundation concentrates its giving on K–12 and out-of-school educational supports for low-income students in the Philadelphia region, with an emphasis on both school-based models and supplemental programs that improve literacy and postsecondary access. Much of the funding flows to mission-driven school networks (including Catholic schools) and youth-development nonprofits that provide writing instruction and college-readiness services. Grants are sizeable and directed to organizations delivering direct services to historically underserved students rather than to general operating support for large institutions.
The Townsend Foundation Inc. gave $1 million apiece in 2024 to Heights Philadelphia and Catholic Partnership Schools, underscoring a pattern of large grants for direct educational services to low-income students. That same year, it also backed Mighty Writers, Hopeworks, Donors Choose, and a range of other education and youth-service organizations with six- and seven-figure awards. The foundation’s giving is built around K–12 support and out-of-school learning, especially programs that strengthen literacy, school readiness, and college access for students facing economic barriers. Its portfolio shows a clear preference for organizations that work directly with children and young adults in Philadelphia and nearby New Jersey communities, including school networks, writing and enrichment providers, and college-readiness groups. Grants also extend to scholarship support and classroom resources, indicating a mix of tuition assistance, student programming, and school-linked services. The recent record includes repeated support for some recipients across multiple years, suggesting ongoing relationships rather than isolated gifts.
A central theme in The Townsend Foundation Inc’s giving is school-based support for low-income students. In 2024, it gave $1 million to Catholic Partnership Schools and $1 million to Heights Philadelphia for educational programs. Literacy and writing are another recurring area. The foundation awarded $500,000 to Mighty Writers in 2024 and $600,000 in 2023 for educational programs for low-income students. It also funds college-access and postsecondary readiness work. Philadelphia Futures received $750,000 in 2023 for educational programs for low-income students, while Hopeworks received $500,000 in 2024 for the same broad purpose. Beyond direct student services, the foundation has made grants for scholarships, books, classroom support, women’s educational opportunities, and services for refugees and asylum seekers.
The Townsend Foundation Inc. gives at a large scale: typical grants sit at a $25,000 p25, $50,000 median, and $250,000 p75. The recent record shows repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years, including Heights Philadelphia, Catholic Partnership Schools, Hopeworks, Mighty Writers, U-go, and Planned Parenthood. That pattern points to ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards. The foundation is structured as a grantmaker with no program-related investments listed, and it also funds individuals. Its recent grants are mostly program-focused, with many descriptions tied to educational services, scholarships, and classroom support.
$6.4M
$528K
$6.9M
$6.5M
Most grants fall between $25K and $250K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$250K
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Concentrated, large-dollar grants to a small number of Philadelphia-area education organizations; multiple repeat grants to core grantees rather than many small one-off awards.
Notable grantees: Heights Philadelphia, Catholic Partnership Schools, Philadelphia Futures, Mighty Writers
Grantmaking is national, but the strongest concentration is in New Jersey, which accounts for 44% of grants. Philadelphia and Camden appear frequently in the recipient list, alongside Cherry Hill, Reading, and Morristown. Outside Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the foundation has also given to organizations in Washington, DC; Solana Beach, California; New York, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; Montgomery, Alabama; and Boone, Iowa. All recorded grants in the provided sample went to US recipients.
It most often supports organizations serving low-income students through K–12 education, literacy and writing programs, college-access services, scholarships, and classroom support. The recent grants include school networks, youth-development nonprofits, and providers of books and educational materials.
The foundation’s grant sizes are relatively large: the 25th percentile is $25,000, the median is $50,000, and the 75th percentile is $250,000. Recent awards also include several six- and seven-figure grants.
Yes. Several recipients appear across more than one year, including Heights Philadelphia, Catholic Partnership Schools, Hopeworks, Mighty Writers, U-go, and Planned Parenthood. That suggests ongoing grant relationships rather than isolated awards.
New Jersey receives the largest share of grants, at 44% of the total. Recipient cities that appear often include Camden, Cherry Hill, Morristown, and Voorhees-area organizations, along with Philadelphia and Reading in Pennsylvania.
Yes. The foundation’s profile indicates that it funds individuals. The grant list also shows awards connected to women’s educational opportunities and scholarships for low-income students, alongside institutional grants.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HEIGHTS PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $1,000,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT EDUC PROGRAMS FOR LOW-INC ST |
| CATHOLIC PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS | CAMDEN, NJ | $1,000,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT EDUC PROGRAMS FOR LOW-INCOME |
| HOPEWORKS | CAMDEN, NJ | $1,000,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT EDUC PROGRAMS FOR LOW-INCOME |
| U-GO INITIATIVE | SOLANA BEACH, CA | $500,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE EDUC OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN |
| ST JOSEPH CARPENTER SOCIETY | CAMDEN, NJ | $411,000 | 2026 | ENCOURAGE RESP HOMEOWNERSHP THRU EDU |
| BOOKSMILES | CHERRY HILL, NJ | $400,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE BOOKS TO LOW-INCOME STUDENTS |
| RACC FOUNDATION | READING, PA | $250,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LOW-INCOME |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF CAMDEN COUNT | CAMDEN, NJ | $200,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT EDUC PROGR FOR LOW-INCOME ST |
| MIGHTY WRITERS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $200,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT EDUC PROGRAMS FOR LOW-INCOME |
| ST JOSEPH CARPENTER SOCIETY | CAMDEN, NJ | $200,000 | 2026 | ENCOURAGE RESP HOMEOWNERSHP THRU EDU |
| BERKS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL | READING, PA | $150,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LOW-INC ST |
| RACC FOUNDATION | READING, PA | $150,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LOW-INCOME |
| HIAS | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2026 | HELP REFUGEES & ASYLUM SEEKERS WORLD |
| GREAT ASPIRATIONS SCHOLARSHIP PROGR | GLEN ALLEN, VA | $100,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE EDUC HELP TO LOW-INCOME STUD |
| BOOKSMILES | CHERRY HILL, NJ | $100,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE BOOKS TO LOW-INCOME STUDENTS |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | BOONE, IA | $100,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT COMMITMT TO PROVIDE LIFESAVI |
| CATHEDRAL KITCHEN | CAMDEN, NJ | $50,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE FREE MEALS TO HOMELESS PEOPL |
| KATZ JCC | CHERRY HILL, NJ | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOOD SUPPLIES FOR LOW-INCOME |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF CAMDEN COUNT | CAMDEN, NJ | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT EDUC PROGR FOR LOW-INCOME ST |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF SOUTHERN NJ | CHERRY HILL, NJ | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT ED PROG&PERS CARE FOR LOW-IN |
| CATHOLIC PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS | CAMDEN, NJ | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT EDUC PROGRAMS FOR LOW-INCOME |
| CONGREGATION KOI AMI | CHERRY HILL, NJ | $50,000 | 2026 | FOR VARIETY OF EDUC &SOCIAL SVC PROJ |
| ST JOSEPH CARPENTER SOCIETY | CAMDEN, NJ | $50,000 | 2026 | ENCOURAGE RESP HOMEOWNERSHP THRU EDU |
| THE FREE BOOKS PROJECT | CAMDEN, NJ | $40,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE FREE BOOKS TO LOW-INC&HOMELE |
| BESS THE BOOK BUS INC | TAMPA, FL | $40,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE EDUC MATERIALS TO LOW-INCOME |
| ATLANTIC CAPE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FDN | MAYS LANDING, NJ | $30,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SCHOLARSH FOR LOW-INCOME STU |
| LA SALLE UNIVERSITY | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT PROGR FOR AT-RISK 1ST GENERA |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FDN | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT EFFORT IN DEFENSE AMER RIGHT |
| CLEVELAND KIDS' BOOK BANK | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE EDUC MATERIALS TO LOW-INCOME |
| DONORS CHOOSE | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT TEACHER CLASSRMS IN CAMDEN |
| ATLANTIC CAPE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FDN | MAYS LANDING, NJ | $15,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SCHOLARSH FOR LOW-INCOME STU |
| ATLANTIC CAPE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FDN | MAYS LANDING, NJ | $10,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SCHOLARSH FOR LOW-INCOME STU |
| LITERACY COUNCIL OF READING-BERKS | WEST LAWN, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE EDUC SVCS FOR LOW-INCOME STU |
| HEIGHTS PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $1,500,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT EDUC PROGRAMS FOR LOW-INC ST |
| JCRC BOOKMATES | CHERRY HILL, NJ | $1,200,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT TUTORING PROGR FOR LOW-INCOM |
| CATHOLIC PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS | CAMDEN, NJ | $1,000,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT EDUC PROGRAMS FOR LOW-INCOME |
| HOPEWORKS | CAMDEN, NJ | $500,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT EDUC PROGRAMS FOR LOW-INCOME |
| HOPEWORKS | CAMDEN, NJ | $500,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT EDUC PROGRAMS FOR LOW-INCOME |
| U-GO INITIATIVE | SOLANA BEACH, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE EDUC OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN |
| MIGHTY WRITERS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $350,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT EDUC PROGRAMS FOR LOW-INCOME |
| U-GO INITIATIVE | SOLANA BEACH, CA | $350,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE EDUC OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN |
| NETWORK ADVOCATES FOR CATH SOC JUST | WASHINGTON, DC | $350,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ENRICHMENT PROGR FOR LOW-INC |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | BOONE, IA | $250,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT COMMITMT TO PROVIDE LIFESAVI |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FDN | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT EFFORT IN DEFENSE AMER RIGHT |
| INTERFAITH HOMELESS OUTREACH COUNCI | CHERRY HILL, NJ | $200,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT HOUSING PROGR FOR HOMELESS |
| CAMDEN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL | CHERRY HILL, NJ | $200,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LOW-INCOME |
| BERKS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL | READING, PA | $150,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LOW-INC ST |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF CAMDEN COUNT | CAMDEN, NJ | $125,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT EDUC PROGR FOR LOW-INCOME ST |
| BOOKSMILES | CHERRY HILL, NJ | $100,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE BOOKS TO LOW-INCOME STUDENTS |
| GREAT ASPIRATIONS SCHOLARSHIP PROGR | GLEN ALLEN, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE EDUC HELP TO LOW-INCOME STUD |
CATHOLIC PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS
$1,000,000SUPPORT EDUC PROGRAMS FOR LOW-INCOME
HOPEWORKS
$1,000,000SUPPORT EDUC PROGRAMS FOR LOW-INCOME
ST JOSEPH CARPENTER SOCIETY
$411,000ENCOURAGE RESP HOMEOWNERSHP THRU EDU
BOOKSMILES
PROVIDE BOOKS TO LOW-INCOME STUDENTS
RACC FOUNDATION
$250,000PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LOW-INCOME
ST JOSEPH CARPENTER SOCIETY
$200,000ENCOURAGE RESP HOMEOWNERSHP THRU EDU
BERKS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
$150,000PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LOW-INC ST
RACC FOUNDATION
$150,000PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LOW-INCOME
HIAS
$100,000HELP REFUGEES & ASYLUM SEEKERS WORLD
BOOKSMILES
$100,000PROVIDE BOOKS TO LOW-INCOME STUDENTS
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$100,000SUPPORT COMMITMT TO PROVIDE LIFESAVI
CATHEDRAL KITCHEN
$50,000PROVIDE FREE MEALS TO HOMELESS PEOPL
KATZ JCC
$50,000SUPPORT FOOD SUPPLIES FOR LOW-INCOME
JEWISH FEDERATION OF SOUTHERN NJ
$50,000SUPPORT ED PROG&PERS CARE FOR LOW-IN
CATHOLIC PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS
$50,000SUPPORT EDUC PROGRAMS FOR LOW-INCOME
CONGREGATION KOI AMI
$50,000FOR VARIETY OF EDUC &SOCIAL SVC PROJ
ST JOSEPH CARPENTER SOCIETY
$50,000ENCOURAGE RESP HOMEOWNERSHP THRU EDU
THE FREE BOOKS PROJECT
$40,000PROVIDE FREE BOOKS TO LOW-INC&HOMELE
BESS THE BOOK BUS INC
$40,000PROVIDE EDUC MATERIALS TO LOW-INCOME
ATLANTIC CAPE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FDN
$30,000PROVIDE SCHOLARSH FOR LOW-INCOME STU
LA SALLE UNIVERSITY
$25,000SUPPORT PROGR FOR AT-RISK 1ST GENERA
DONORS CHOOSE
$20,000SUPPORT TEACHER CLASSRMS IN CAMDEN
ATLANTIC CAPE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FDN
$15,000PROVIDE SCHOLARSH FOR LOW-INCOME STU
ATLANTIC CAPE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FDN
$10,000PROVIDE SCHOLARSH FOR LOW-INCOME STU
JCRC BOOKMATES
$1,200,000SUPPORT TUTORING PROGR FOR LOW-INCOM
CATHOLIC PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS
$1,000,000SUPPORT EDUC PROGRAMS FOR LOW-INCOME
HOPEWORKS
$500,000SUPPORT EDUC PROGRAMS FOR LOW-INCOME
NETWORK ADVOCATES FOR CATH SOC JUST
$350,000SUPPORT ENRICHMENT PROGR FOR LOW-INC
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$250,000SUPPORT COMMITMT TO PROVIDE LIFESAVI
INTERFAITH HOMELESS OUTREACH COUNCI
$200,000SUPPORT HOUSING PROGR FOR HOMELESS
CAMDEN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
$200,000PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LOW-INCOME
BERKS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
$150,000PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LOW-INC ST
BOOKSMILES
$100,000PROVIDE BOOKS TO LOW-INCOME STUDENTS
GREAT ASPIRATIONS SCHOLARSHIP PROGR
$100,000PROVIDE EDUC HELP TO LOW-INCOME STUD