The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and its initiative the Black Immigrant Capacity Building Project are launching a grant program to support Black immigrant-led organizations as they strengthen their capacity in the areas of grant writing and community events. Grants of $5,000 will be awarded to 10 selected organizations.
Background & Department Overview
The Philadelphia City Fund (“the Fund”) works in close partnership with the City of Philadelphia (“the City”) and private sector partners to develop and run initiatives that seek to advance City initiatives and improve the quality of life for all Philadelphians. The Fund currently acts as the fiscal sponsor for Office of Immigrant Affairs (“OIA”) and this grant opportunity.
The mission of OIA is to promote the well-being of Philadelphia’s immigrant communities. The department does this by recommending and developing policies and programs, which in turn provide opportunity and access to services. OIA helps facilitate the successful inclusion of immigrants into the civic, economic, and cultural life of the city, highlighting the essential role that immigrants have played and continue to play in our city.
In 2022, the Black Immigrant Capacity Building Project (BICBP) was established from work OIA and it’s Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs conducted under a grant from the Philadelphia Foundation and its Black Community Leads Fund. This grant aimed to support the resource development for the Mayor’s Commission and was bolstered by research and facilitation support from Bloom Planning, which provided three lead community-based organization advisors from October 2021 – August 2023. During this period, Bloom Planning played a crucial role in shaping the project structure through comprehensive research and planning phases alongside the advisors.
The Black Immigrant Capacity Building Project
The Black Immigrant Capacity Building Project (BICBP) is a newly organized network and resource fund, dedicated to assisting growth, development, and service supports to Philadelphia-based Black immigrant-led organizations. Its mission is to strengthen local Black immigrant-led organizations and to increase their capacity through network collaboration, mentorship, training, shared development opportunities, and monetary grants. Learn more about BICBP.
2025 Grant Opportunities
BICBP seeks to award 10 local organizations with an Organizational Capacity Building grant, with two focus areas listed below. Applicants will indicate which focus area they are applying to.
- Grant Writing and Application Support
- Purpose: Funding should support skill-building and strategy in grant writing for organizations serving African and Caribbean immigrant communities. Applicants should describe in detail how they plan to use the funds to strengthen their grant application and/or writing efforts. A clear plan of action must be outlined in the pitch event.
- Community Legal Education & Rights-Awareness
- Purpose: Funding should support tools and events in legal education and rights-awareness. Examples of fundable projects include know-your-rights workshops, community educational events led by a lawyer or subject-matter expert, etc. Funds may not be used for any partisan political activity or lobbying. Applicants should demonstrate an existing understanding of the landscape, including professionals to collaborate or partner with and how to carry out their efforts. A clear plan of action must be outlined in the pitch event.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, or have a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor.
- Applicants must have an annual operating budget of less than $100,000.
- Applicants must submit required documentation.
- Applicants and proposed grant activities must serve Philadelphia residents.
- Grant funds may not support political lobbying, lobbying for legislation, or partisan political activity.
The BICBP seeks applicants whose mission, leadership, and track record clearly align with the purpose of serving African and Caribbean immigrant communities. Reviewers are looking for organizations that demonstrate:
- A strong organizational foundation with evidence of community trust and engagement
- A deep understanding of the needs of African and Caribbean communities
- A thoughtful and feasible plan for how the funds will be used to improve capacity
- Clear goals and measurable outcomes that show impact
- A commitment to equity and authentic community involvement
- Strong financial stewardship and realistic budgeting
- A clear plan for learning and evaluation
Timeline and How to Apply
Applications will be accepted beginning July 18, 2025, through August 26, 2025, by 11:59 PM EST. Applicants are required to complete the application and upload requested materials via the application form.
Grant information sessions:
Questions about this opportunity can be answered in the Q&A sessions on July 30, 2025, and August 12, 2025. Both sessions will be held from 6 – 7:30 PM EST over Zoom. Please use the links below to join.
- Q&A Session #1 on July 30, 2025: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81050300945?pwd=ye1RzguGg34DLnJp8mx9NstTsUr1Fe.1
- Q&A Session #2 on August 12, 2025: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84675118710?pwd=8xK3y7pKiUbaHqadqFMZRLAHbDAdXk.1
Final candidates will be contacted via email by September 18, 2025, for a pitch event on November 22, 2025. BICBP will offer a pitch prep session on October 06, 2025.
Final decision notifications will be sent via email by December 12, 2025.
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The Philadelphia City Fund is serving as the fiscal sponsor for this grant opportunity on behalf of OIA. All selected grantees will receive a grant agreement and funding directly from the Philadelphia City Fund.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501c3 organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office.