INNOVATION | ENTREPRENEURSHIP | LEADERSHIP
Create value for people with our support.
About
The Widger Family Foundation, based in Greater Philadelphia, was established in 2019 by Charles and Barbara Widger. Expanding the Board to include family members and close affiliates, the Foundation is committed to creating value for people through philanthropy that reflects essential aspirations and experiences. Building on success in the field of investment management, the Foundation supports programs and organizations that embrace innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
Grantmaking
The Foundation employs actionable strategies that embrace innovative and disruptive models which address gaps, build capacity, surpass conventional approaches, and hold promise for greater impact. Grantmaking focuses on opportunities that demonstrate innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership in mental/behavioral health services, education, and economic revitalization. The Foundation seeks to leverage resources and create value to empower individuals and communities locally and beyond to fulfill their potential and purpose.
Grantmaking Guidelines
The Widger Family Foundation supports organizations working in and across the following issue areas:
- Mental/Behavioral Health
- Education
- Economic Revitalization
The Widger Family Foundation provides the following types of grants:
- General Operating Support
- Program or Project Support
- Emerging Leader Award
The Widger Family Foundation does not support the following:
- Individuals
- Private Foundations
- Endowments
- Organizations that influence legislation as a substantial part of their purpose
- Political organizations or campaigns
- Memberships, subscriptions, tickets for benefits, conferences, fundraising events, annual campaigns
- The Widger Family Foundation does not make grants to organizations that discriminate based on race, religion, creed, national origin, disability, handicap, age, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or any other basis prohibited by applicable law
Grantmaking Process
Grant Cycles
The Widger Family Foundation has two formal grant cycles per year. The Foundation only accepts invited proposals which must be received by:
- March 15, 2024
- September 15, 2024
Grant decisions are made in April and October. The Foundation may make discretionary gifts on a rolling basis at the direction of the Board.
Letter of Inquiry
The Widger Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals and limits its grants to organizations that we invite to apply. However, the Foundation does not discourage prospective organizations from sharing ideas. For the Widger Family Foundation to consider supporting a program that aligns with its mission, prospective organizations should provide a brief description of the project and contact information.
