About Us

History

Throughout our history,Trusts has sought to improve civic life, strengthen democracy, and make governments more effective and responsive. Over the years, we have contributed to numerous initiatives designed to improve education, job creation, and opportunity in Philadelphia and throughout the United States. In the 1950s, we began supporting historically black colleges and universities in an effort that became one of our longest-lasting grant programs. We started working on environmental issues with a diverse range of stakeholders in the 1970s; and in 1991, we began partnering with Indigenous people on land and ocean conservation.

Since 2005, we have sought ways to directly address some of the challenges that disproportionately affect those who are disadvantaged by systemic inequities, including incarceration, juvenile justice, debt, and access to credit.