PECO, in partnership with Team Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Creative Industries, powered by Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, have announced the opening of the 2025 Powering the Arts Grant Program. This initiative provides $150,000 in grant funding to support nonprofit arts and culture organizations in southeastern Pennsylvania as they work to expand access to the arts and engage new, diverse audiences.
The application period is now open and runs through July 31, 2025. Grants of $5,000 will be awarded to eligible organizations to support planning or implementation projects that focus on audience development. The program is open to organizations located in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties, as well as select zip codes in York County (17302, 17309, 17314, and 17321).
The Powering the Arts Grant Program helps organizations better understand their current audiences and develop strategies to reach new ones. New audiences are defined as individuals who differ from the organization’s typical attendees, whether by age, ethnicity, geography, gender, or ability.
“We support the arts because they’re a powerful way to bring people together, share stories and celebrate culture,” said Carniesha Kwashie, director of Corporate Community Impact at PECO. “Through this grant, we’re investing in local organizations that use creativity to connect with their communities, break down barriers, and create spaces where everyone feels welcomed and valued. “It’s part of our commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive region for all.”
Applicants may apply for one of two funding tracks:
Planning Grants: Support activities such as audience research, strategy development, or evaluation of existing outreach plans.
Implementation Grants: Fund the execution of audience engagement strategies, including community programming, partnerships, and marketing efforts.
All funded activities must take place between October 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. A 1:1 match is required, with up to 50 percent of the match allowed as in-kind contributions.
Examples of Eligible Projects Include:
- Hiring consultants to assess and diversify audience engagement strategies
- Creating new free public-facing programs for underserved communities
- Partnering with other arts organizations or neighborhood groups
- Removing barriers to participation (e.g., transportation or language)
- Conducting marketing to reach new, diverse communities
Eligibility Requirements, Applicants must:
- Be a nonprofit arts or community-based organization offering arts programming
- Have an annual operating budget under $2 million
- Be located in one of the eligible counties or zip codes
- Not be a school, college, university, government entity, or unincorporated organization
How to Apply:
For detailed guidance, refer to the Grant Application Preview.
Apply now for the 2025 Powering the Arts Program.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the full eligibility criteria, funding priorities, and application content before submitting. All grantees must acknowledge support from PECO, Team Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania Creative Industries in all promotional materials. Funded programs must also be open and accessible to the public.
Application Review Process:
Grant proposals are evaluated by a panel of diverse individuals actively engaged in the arts and culture sector, representing a wide range of perspectives, expertise, and constituencies. PECO staff will make a final application review and award approval to ensure projects align with the company’s values and mission.
For questions, please contact [email protected].
The grant award announcements will be made on September 15, 2025.
Partner Quotes:
“Team Pennsylvania is proud to support the Powering the Arts Grant as a meaningful investment in cultural connection and community vitality said Tahirih Zecharya, vice president, People & Operations, Team Pennsylvania. “We believe that the arts are a powerful vehicle for engagement, belonging, and innovation, and we’re honored to partner with PECO and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts to expand access to the arts across Pennsylvania.”
“Through this innovative, public-private collaboration, we’re expanding access to the arts by strengthening relationships between dynamic artistic programs and the vibrant communities at their heart,” said Karl Blischke, executive director of Pennsylvania Creative Industries.
