Funding Youth Ideas.

Building Community. Uniting Philly.

Uniting Philly's Youth Through Community Stewardship

The Philly Service Award funds student teams across every Philadelphia high school to design and lead community projects that serve their neighbors. By turning student ideas into action, we equip young people with hands-on experience in problem-solving, project management, and civic leadership while building lifelong community stewards and a better Philadelphia for all.

Support Our Mission

How We Drive Lasting Change for Our City, Our Students, and Our Neighbors.

Core Pillars

  • We trust young people to identify local needs, author proposals, and manage real project budgets. Real growth happens when students sit in the driver’s seat.

  • Leadership isn't built through passive lectures. Students learn project management, financial stewardship, and civic leadership by executing real projects from start to finish.

  • Service is personal. We guide students to lead with empathy, respect, and local pride, building meaningful connections across the neighborhoods where they live and learn.

  • By bringing together students from public, charter, private, and parochial high schools across every zip code, we break down silos and build a unified network of youth civic leaders.

2026 Program Highlights

  • 60 Philly High School Projects with Over 50% Creating Sustainable Change

  • 1,000 Students Serving Our City

  • 25,000 Volunteer Hours

  • 5,000 Neighbors Served

  • 30 Neighborhoods Impacted

Key Initiatives

  • We provide $1,000 in direct project funding to student teams across every Philadelphia high school to design, pitch, and execute their own neighborhood solutions. Student projects range from community gardens and food pantries to youth mentorship, public events, and historical preservation through art and media, with a focus on sustainable change for the city. Guided by a faculty advisor liaison, youth maintain full control over planning and project execution.

  • Passionate educators are essential catalysts for student success; our wish list program directly supports high school teachers, advisors, and staff who mentor student service teams. Through targeted funding, we fulfill specific faculty classroom requests for critical supplies, equipment, and learning resources, easing educators' out-of-pocket financial burdens. Our annual faculty celebration spotlights the amazing educators who volunteer their time to help their students’ projects come to life.

  • During our annual Participating Schools' Day, student teams present their project visions directly to elected officials and local decision-makers. Throughout the project lifecycle, students build confidence in public speaking, professional communication, and self-advocacy while working with public officials, nonprofits, and community organizations to maximize their impact!

  • Our annual culminating celebration brings together student teams, educators, and community champions from across Philly. Teams are recognized on stage, project outcomes are shared, and the event concludes with 12 winning student teams receiving major Impact Award prizes ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 to fund long-term school improvements and student enrichment.

Student Outcomes

Building Real-World Skills Through Civic Action

Financial Literacy

Allocating Real Budgets

Managing a real $1,000 project grant, sourcing materials, and tracking expenses.

Project Management

Executing Timelines

Setting project goals, delegating roles, coordinating logistics, and meeting hard deadlines.

Civic Advocacy

Pitching to Leaders, As Leaders

Presenting proposals directly to city officials, school leaders, and local stakeholders.

Problem-Solving

Responding in Real Time

Navigating execution obstacles, managing group dynamics, and adapting plans on the ground.