H. Chase Lenfest Philanthropy Deepens Investment in North Philly Through Spring 2026 Grant Cycle

Resourcing Hunting Park-East Tioga Through A Place-Based Approach

As part of this systemic approach, HCL Philanthropy works hand-in-hand with North10 Philadelphia, a community backbone organization dedicated to strengthening community health, revitalizing the neighborhood, and empowering young people.

Founded by Board Chair H. Chase Lenfest, North10, serves as the primary catalyst for collective action in the Hunting Park – East Tioga neighborhood of Philadelphia. Their holistic blueprint drives lasting transformation by moving beyond immediate relief to invest deeply in long-term, fundamental systems that benefit current residents and future generations alike.

This Spring 2026 grant cycle reflects evolutionary learning from North10's community engagement. The current funding focuses on critical pillars of activating local businesses, increasing access to books, providing creative spaces for youth music production, supporting adult ESOL learning, and advancing neighborhood regeneration through gardens, green spaces, and vibrant outdoor community events.

Expanding Local Impact: Commercial Access & Business Stabilization

A central cornerstone of this spring's strategy stems from work initiated last fall, when HCL Philanthropy funded a Project Accelerator Grant for Mosaic Development Partners. Their resulting strategic plan outlined equitable real estate development solutions designed to keep existing community assets intact.

Facilitated by the North10’s collaboration with Broad Erie Germantown Collective (BEGC), HCL Philanthropy is now focusing acute funding on commercial access within the Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary Catchment area (spanning Sedgley Ave to Erie Ave, and Broad Street to Ninth Street).

To drive this economic momentum forward, the Spring 2026 cycle introduces critical Project Accelerator partnerships:

• The Merchants Fund: Fostering a place-based model of business stabilization grants to deliver direct, vital support to local businesses, helping them overcome capacity obstacles and operate at full strength.

  
  

• Economy League of Greater Philadelphia: Funding the initial acceleration of the North Philadelphia PAGE project. This framework leverages industrial-scale institutional purchasing power to help diverse local firms create jobs and build generational wealth.

  
  

Spring 2026 Grant Recipients

H. Chase Lenfest Philanthropy’s operational support enables North10 to focus directly on community collaboration as they deliver impactful programming, affordable real estate, and vital neighborhood resources. The Spring 2026 cohort represents a balanced mix of fundamental General Operating Support to sustain community pillars, alongside targeted Project Accelerator initiatives designed to spark immediate, localized growth.

General Operating Support: Providing stable, flexible funding to community leaders driving daily neighborhood enrichment:

• Nicetown-Tioga Improvement Team RCO  

• The Phoenix Philadelphia 

• Hunting Park Green 

• Called To Serve 

  
  

Project Accelerators: Targeted investments tackling specific community education, arts, and economic development goals:

• Rock to the Future – Youth Music Production in Hunting Park

• Tree House Books – Mobile Library Visits to Hunting Park

• Beyond Literacy – Accelerating Adult Learning & ESOL Support

By focusing resources on these interconnected priorities—ranging from business equity to local literacy and green spaces—we are honorably building on what our community partners have taught us. These organizations represent the bedrock of Hunting Park-East Tioga, and we are thrilled to support their visions this spring.

About H. Chase Lenfest Philanthropy

H. Chase Lenfest Philanthropy's mission is to transform the Hunting Park-East Tioga neighborhood in North Philadelphia by strategically investing in community-centered initiatives that revitalize the neighborhood, enhance its health and safety, and empower young people. We believe in a community-led philanthropic model to catalyze tools for place-based impact across Philadelphia neighborhoods and beyond. Our partnership with local organizations enables residents to foster sustainable growth and create vibrant, equitable neighborhoods where current and future generations can thrive. In addition, H. Chase Lenfest Philanthropy provides grants that align with the Founder's passions, interests, and values.