GIVING BACK WITH EVERY LOAN CLOSED
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. Through our parent company, Elfant Pontz Properties, and by 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, a professional regional theater, is a nonprofit that strives to be Philadelphia's "hometown theater" and is integral to the city's cultural fabric. Dedicated to "bringing to life great stories by great storytellers—on the stage, in the classroom, and in the community," it reaches thousands of students annually and introduces many to theater for the first time.
Beyond The Bars
Beyond The Bars is a music and resource connection program "dedicated to interrupting cycles of violence" while helping students recognize their potential. Beyond The Bars believes music is a human right and should be accessible to all. The organization has established over 45 music labs throughout the city in locations such as homeless shelters, trauma clinics and treatment centers, recreational centers, and schools.
Face To Face Germantown
Families and individuals experiencing homelessness are 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 guests can shower and receive new clothes. Face to Face serves 2,500 people 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 runs accessible soccer programs to provide healthy activities, a positive environment, and employment opportunities to the community. Operating primarily in schools and recreation centers within Kensington, the club has expanded to serve more than 1,500 families regardless of their ability to pay. Kensington Soccer Club emphasizes nutrition, team building, fair play, and community cohesion.
Mothers In Charge, INC
Mothers In Charge, Inc. offers vital advocacy and support for families affected by violence. The organization, run by 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 and operated entirely by volunteers, the organization promotes cooperation and community among neighbors. As Mt. Airy Baseball 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 and reshape their narratives. 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. 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 and receives a stipend for their work and attendance.
The Philly Goat Project
The Philly Goat Project (PGP) 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 foster a connection with animals. Animal-assisted therapy has also proven incredibly helpful in dealing with trauma. The Philly Goat Project believes building a connection to the natural world is a path to community wellness.
Quintessence Theatre
Quintessence Theater is a 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. 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.
Smith Memorial Playground
Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse opened in the late 1800s. As an early pioneer in the Playground Movement, it emphasized the importance of play for children's healthy development. Situated on 6.5 acres in East Fairmount Park, Smith offers fresh air, green rolling hills, and expansive indoor and outdoor play spaces. Today, Smith remains a safe haven and community cornerstone, providing literacy programs as well as recreation. It 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 have existing literacy programs. The Philadelphia chapter 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 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 since many schools with trades programs have discontinued that programming. 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 that builds 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. Older students bring a musical to life from inception to performance during the school year. 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.