The William Penn Foundation has awarded $7.6 million in grants to six Philadelphia-based cultural institutions to enhance accessibility for low-income families and individuals with disabilities. The funding is allocated based on the volume of visitors using the ACCESS card program, which provides deeply discounted admission to residents receiving public assistance or those with disabilities. Key recipients include the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Academy of Natural Sciences, and the Franklin Institute, along with Art-Reach, the organization managing the program.
This initiative highlights a growing philanthropic focus on socioeconomic equity and physical accessibility within the museum sector. By subsidizing the gap between discounted ACCESS tickets and standard admission prices—which can reach up to $30—the grants ensure that major cultural landmarks remain financially sustainable while serving a more diverse public. The move reinforces Philadelphia's position as a leader in inclusive cultural programming through one of the nation's most effective equity models.