The West Chester Downtown Foundation (WCDF) is a matchmaker for local nonprofits serving the West Chester borough, and donors who wish to see their community and downtown preserved, enriched, and supported. Through the generosity of these benefactors, and the hard work of each grant recipient, we can ensure the advancement of humanitarian, educational, artistic, and historic initiatives in our town.

Grants for Good

Apply for a Grant

Community Grants
The West Chester Downtown Foundation provides financial support for worthy, non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations in the Greater West Chester Community.

Our Grants Committee evaluates applications for:

their ability to meet human needs in our community;
the quality of the program to deliver the services; and
the match to our organization's mission statement: to promote community interest in the vitality, culture, and livability of downtown West Chester through education, historic preservation, and collaboration.

Applicants must complete and submit an Application for Funding together with supporting documentation. Supporting documents include proof of 501(c)(3) status and latest audited financial report or IRS Form 990.

Use the link below to obtain this year's application:

CHANGING LIVES

Twins Michelle and Kevin, age 11, were non-verbal when they entered Domestic Violence Center’s (DVCCC) safe house. Mom attributed their disconnection to the relationship violence in their home. The twins had been in therapy, but so far there was no change. After the third session of music therapy, a partnership with Tempo! Music Therapy and the Domestic Violence Center, the twins began to march, sing and play the various instruments and their verbal language improved drastically. This was made possible because the West Chester Downtown Foundation provided the resources for DVCCC to hire Tempo! And to purchase instruments. Research has shown that one method to address the effect of domestic violence on children is through music. DVCCC can attest that music instilled a sense of achievement and confidence in Michelle and Kevin; they became engaged again and began to bond with their mom and others. Thank you West Chester Downtown Foundation for supporting this initiative.

Dolly Wideman-Scott, Ed.D.

CEO, Domestic Violence Center of Chester County

Download the

Application

for a 2021 Community Grant

(MS Word®)

(PDF)

Applicants may submit an application as early as May 1, 2021 and all applications are due July 31st, 2021. Please submit applications to the email address specified within the document.

Past Recipients

2019