The Scholarship and Grant Committee is excited to announce our three 2025 Small Grants recipients, offering $6,050 in total support to organizations or programs that address local environmental needs. We also prioritize projects that encourage girls and women in the sciences, engineering, and environmental fields.

This summer, Scouting America, Minsi Trails Council, is launching career-exploration opportunities at leading regional employers -referred to as "Exploring Posts". With funding provided by SWEP GP, the first 50 young women who enroll will receive full membership coverage, granting them access to extended mentorship and hands-on learning experiences with female role models in engineering, sustainability, and environmental science fields. These experiences are specifically designed to close gender gaps in STEM and inspire long-term engagement in these fields.

These programs provide more than just access—they offer mentorship, transportation, program materials, and real-world experiences with female professionals.

We wish the Scouting America, Minsi Trails Council, successful application of this summer program

Learn more and get involved at https://minsitrails.org/

We’re proud to share that The Rail Park has been awarded a 2025 grant to support their vision of transforming a historic railway into a vibrant, three-mile linear park that connects Philadelphians to each other and to the city’s natural and cultural heritage.

This grant will fund a new initiative focused on environmental justice, ecological education, and community empowerment, including:

• A day-long ecological exploration through undeveloped sections of the park, from the Vine Street Expressway to the "Phase One" portion of the park;

• Hands-on learning about Philadelphia’s environmental justice history and its impact on local neighborhoods;

• Skill-building in plant health surveying, ecological data collection, and urban research; and

• A focus on empowering women to lead in their communities’ ecological health and sustainability.

This project addresses long-standing public health inequities—such as limited green space and the urban heat island effect—while creating inclusive opportunities for residents to engage with and shape their environment.

As The Rail Park continues to develop portions of the park "The Viaduct", "The Cut", and "The Tunnel", this initiative brings them one step closer to realizing their full vision: a three-mile greenway that enriches the health, culture, and ecology of Philadelphia.

Learn more and get involved at https://www.therailpark.org/

We’re excited to share that Abundant Philly has been awarded a 2025 grant to support the launch of the High School Girls Garden Club, a new initiative that brings together youth, elders, and green space in a powerful model of community-led environmental education.

Located at the Organic Gardens at Manatawna Farm—a 5-acre community gardening space stewarded by Abundant Philly—this program will engage female students in grades 10–12 from one of Philadelphia’s premiere environmental science high schools. Despite the school’s proximity, students have historically had limited access to the gardens and surrounding wildlife refuge.

This program will:

• Provide hands-on gardening experience and environmental science education;

• Foster mentorship between students and the 100+ household gardening community;

• Offer technical support, shared resources, and leadership development; and

• Address environmental justice by promoting access to green space and intergenerational learning.

At Abundant Philly, they believe in cultivating leaders and stewarding green spaces to promote well-being, inclusivity, and thoughtful growth. This grant will bring them one step closer to building a more abundant Philadelphia.

Learn more and support their work at https://abundantphilly.com/

These selected grant recipients will be honored at our annual Touchstone Gala, where they will have the opportunity to showcase their completed projects.

For further details on how to apply for our 2026 application process and for selection criteria, please visit our Grant Tab.