Giving Back To Our Communities

As a Philadelphia-based business with a big community impact, we believe in making meaningful contributions of both time and money to create good beyond the realm of business. That’s why we have committed to donating a portion of our revenue to local violence intervention nonprofits and literacy and arts programming for youth. Working with a local consulting company, MCP Educational Consulting, we distribute grants to highly effective nonprofit organizations in Philadelphia. Below are a few of the incredible organizations we’ve made contributions to.

Arden theatre company

The Arden Theatre Company is a professional regional theatre located in Philadelphia's historic Old City neighborhood, offering theatrical productions and programs to artists, audiences, and students of the greater Philadelphia region. The Arden Theatre Company strives to be Philadelphia's" hometown theatre" and is integral to the city's cultural fabric. The company is a nonprofit dedicated to "bringing to life great stories by great storytellers – on the stage, in the classroom, and in the community." They reach thousands of students annually, introducing many to theatre for the first time.

Beyond The Bars

Beyond the Bars interrupts cycles of violence and the "school-to-prison pipeline" using music. It all began with teaching incarcerated youth who had never had music programming. Students would express, through music, a wide array of traumas, from abuse to homelessness to witnessing homicide. They later branched out to community-based programs addressing many of these same traumas. There are two main programs: the student-driven music academy, where they play shows, and the practical producer's program, where they learn how to write and produce music with professionals.

Face to Face Germantown

Families, individuals, and people experiencing homelessness are welcomed and treated with dignity and respect at Face to Face Germantown. Their goal is to meet basic human needs and reduce suffering. Face to Face offers a dining room, a nurse-managed health center, a legal center, social services, and, along with Mercy Neighborhood Ministries, early child education, children's summer camps, and after-school programs. They also have a Washeteria where people can take a hot shower and receive new clothes. Face to Face serves 2,500 annually and has been a stable presence in Germantown for over 35 years.

Kensington Soccer Club

Founded in 2010 by Executive Director Jim Hardy, Kensington Soccer Club aims to remove barriers to sports and recreation. Operating primarily in schools and recreation centers within Kensington, the club has expanded to serve 1,400 youth. It emphasizes nutrition, team building, fair play, and community cohesion alongside fieldwork. A weekly Youth Leadership Council addresses local issues and program improvements.

Mothers in charge

Mothers In Charge, Inc., which was recommended by a team member with firsthand experience, offers vital advocacy and support for families affected by violence. The organization, which includes mothers, grandmothers, and others who have turned personal tragedy into a catalyst for change, provides counseling and grief support services. Additionally, Mothers In Charge collaborates with elected officials and community leaders to promote legislation for safer neighborhoods and communities.

mt. Airy Baseball

Mt. Airy Baseball has been around for almost 40 years, serving the youth of Mt. Airy regardless of their ability to pay. Committed to accessibility, it keeps costs low and requires each family to contribute two annual volunteer hours. Operated entirely by volunteers, the organization embodies a cooperative spirit among neighbors. As MAB expands, it aims to mentor coaches, enhance field conditions, and launch a marketing initiative.

Paint > Initiative

Paint > Initiative uses therapeutic arts programs to empower young people by fostering creativity, engagement, and imagination. Through art, particularly for youth affected by gun violence, participants express emotions, reshape their narratives, and reduce barriers to success. Workshops also facilitate connections with peers from diverse backgrounds, fostering mutual understanding. Co-founders Teisha Brown, a licensed psychotherapist, and Vanessa Young, an artist, collaborate with partner organizations for referrals and engage families in workshops addressing grief, trauma, and conflict resolution through painting and creative writing.

Philly Bridge & Jawn

Philly Bridge & Jawn (PB&J) is a safety net organization for struggling youth in Kensington. PB&J aims to reconnect youth with positive influences and expand their support systems, particularly for those who have experienced trauma related to the opioid crisis in the area. PB&J combats this trauma by fostering community, building networks, and providing opportunities through their core program, "Cook, Eat, and Get Paid." In this program, youth come together for a meal where everyone contributes, engage in programming during the meal, and receive a stipend for their work and attendance. PB&J serves as a bridge, closing the gap between teen readiness and available youth opportunities.

The Philly Goat Project

The Philly Goat Project provides education, wellness, therapy, and community engagement through intentional interaction with goats. Located at Awbury Arboretum, PGP was created to give urban residents access to nature and agriculture and to foster a connection with goats. Animal-assisted therapy has also proven incredibly helpful in dealing with trauma. PGP believes building a connection to the natural world is a path to community wellness. 

Quintessence Theater

Quintessence Theater is a small local theater group in Mt. Airy that puts on productions and has a significant educational component. They engage students around Philadelphia who may lack access to the arts, particularly theater and plays. Often, the actors go into schools and use the current production as a backdrop to their curriculum, helping to guide students through getting a play from a script to the stage. Quintessence constantly evolves its education programming, and donations allow it to engage more schools and increase its impact on students.

Smith Memorial Playground

Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse are on 6.5 acres of land and have been around since the 19th century. The mission is to create opportunities for unstructured play for children. "Play" is at the heart of all they do. They serve all of Philadelphia (and beyond) on their multi-level playground and in the playhouse. Their programming aims to reach the immediate surrounding neighborhoods, as those are some of the most in need in the city. Literacy is one of their largest initiatives, working with children and their families on skills and literacy-building interactions. Smith relies on grant funding and private and corporate donations to operate.

Team First Book Philadelphia

Team First Book Philadelphia—a local chapter of a national organization—has been around for over 20 years. Their mission is to get books into the hands of under-resourced children through schools and organizations that already have an existing literacy program. TFBP exists almost entirely on its own: they do their own fundraising and receive no money from the national organization. They are 100% volunteer-run, which means their overhead is very low and is important because every dollar of every donation goes directly to the children they serve.

Unity in the Community

Unity in the Community is dedicated to changing the lives of people who need it most. Anton Moore is the Founder and Director, working tirelessly to keep young people off the streets and to make his neighborhood and city better, safer, and more hopeful for these youth. One way he is doing this is through a 20-week carpentry program. "So many schools with trades programs have discontinued that programming for one reason or another." Youth ages 14-19 learn how to install flooring, paint, and sheetrock– the fundamental carpentry and building skills. They receive a small stipend each week for their work. Moore says that this program is reducing gun violence and helping young people get into the workforce.

We Love Philly

The mission of We Love Philly is to "empower students with positive community experiences and essential professional skills through mindfulness, volunteerism, entrepreneurship, ownership, and content creation." Carlos Aponte, Founder and Executive Director, started the organization while teaching at One Bright Ray. The program is for 16-21-year-olds who have dropped out of high school and must earn credits toward graduation. WLP helps them do that. They gain life skills through firsthand experiences and hands-on learning. 

Yes! And… Collaborative Arts

Yes! And... Collaborative Arts (YACA) is a youth-centered organization dedicated to building community and leadership skills through the arts. YACA serves children ages 5-18 through various programs. Their summer programming for younger students emphasizes collaboration, imaginative play, and foundational skills in creative and performing arts. During the school year, older students bring a musical to life from inception to performance. YACA operates on a sliding scale, allowing families to pay what they can, thus providing opportunities to students and families who might not otherwise be able to participate. Additionally, they fundraise to ensure full programming is available regardless of one's ability to pay.

Young Chances Foundation

Young Chances Foundation (YCF) is a community-based organization that serves the Grays Ferry neighborhood and other areas of South Philadelphia. Its mission is to give children and families the resources to lead safe and productive lives, build relationships, and assist with paths to higher education to reduce violence. Whatever the community needs, they aim to provide, from community events and activities to food giveaways, work with public safety agencies, and more.