Show Your Love for Local Businesses and Organizations through West Philly Forward

A graphic depicting the logo for the West Philly Forward fundraising campaign
Oct 14, 2020 3 years ago

We have launched a new neighborhood-wide fundraising campaign called West Philly Forward to aid small businesses, non-profits, and cultural organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign aims to spark local community giving directly into the hands of those who need it through individual fundraising campaigns. We are also offering logistical and marketing support to participating businesses and organizations.

The new website www.westphillyforward.com serves as a repository for individual fundraising campaigns. At the webpage, community members can choose between donating directly to local businesses and organizations or to donate to University City District, who will then split 100% of funds raised evenly between everyone participating. UCD has already secured $4,000 before the campaign officially launched, and has pledged $50 in seed money to the first 30 participants to sign on.  

This fundraising campaign will run through mid-December, and replace our typical fundraising asks to support our own operations. Since the start of the pandemic, we have focused on ways to lend support to neighborhood businesses and organizations. We've run a gift card matching program, raised money to purchase meals from neighborhood restaurants to serve to families at the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, given out over $300,000 in philanthropic support to small retail businesses, reimagined popular events including the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll and University City Dining Days, and provided logistical support on things ranging from setting up outdoor dining to applying for grants and loans. The new fundraising campaign is the first initiative under the newly created West Philly Forward moniker, which will grow as additional initiatives are developed and launched.

If you are a small business, non-profit, or cultural organization located within our service area who would like to be involved in this campaign, email us for more information.