The Philadelphia Citizen’s comprehensive civic engagement toolkit offers a host of ways to get involved in your community and city, so you can do your part to make Philadelphia a better, fairer and more welcoming place for everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned activist or new to the ins-and-outs of our ever-changing political and social world, these guides offer ways to make positive change in several areas of city life. In other words: Do something!
Let us know if we missed something — or if you want more info on ways to get involved.
CHOOSE YOUR AREA OF INTEREST
HOW TO VOTE IN PA IN THE NEXT ELECTION
A thriving city is one that’s full of voters. Find out everything you need to know about voting in Philadelphia before (or during) the next election, including how to register and check your voter registration, how to apply for an absentee and mail-in ballot, how to find your polling place and more.
HOW TO START A VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE
Your vote is of the utmost importance, but you might want to help some other people get registered, too. Local election experts dole out tips on how to start a safe, legal and effective voter registration drive in Philadelphia before the next voter registration deadline.
RUN FOR A COMMITTEE PERSON SEAT
Want to take your impact further? You can have a small but meaningful influence in the upcoming elections by holding a committee person seat in your voting district. Our guide tells you exactly how to do that (don’t worry; it’s easier than you think), and answers more questions about the ward elections. The next election is 2026.
JOIN YOUR LOCAL CIVIC ASSOCIATION
Being active in your local civic association is one of the best ways to stay informed and have input on community life. There are hundreds of them located in neighborhoods across the city. These days many are more active than ever. Check out this map to see every Registered Community Organization (RCO) in the city of Philadelphia.
Voting is one of the simplest things we can do to practice civic engagement and make the change we want to see in Philadelphia, but in fraught times like the ones we’re living in today, we sometimes need to step up to keep our democracy strong. Are you on board? Our guide offers a few ways to do that, even today when it feels weaker than ever.
GET TO KNOW YOUR COUNCIL MEMBERS — AND BUG THEM REGULARLY!
Who are these people representing us for the next four years? Take a look at the good and not-so-good in incumbents’ track records. Then, use their direct contact links. It’s up to us to hold them accountable to their promises. This isn’t supposed to be a cushy job, folks!
A great way to do something about an issue you care about is to simply contact your representatives. That means your state and federal reps, members of Philly City Council, your ward leader, your committee person — anyone elected to make your life better. Remember, each and every one of these representatives is working for you and wants to hear what you think. And if they don’t — too bad!
Gathering in the open to voice support for a cause is an American right, guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution, integral, even to a healthy democracy. Here’s how to protest legally, safely and effectively.
CONNECT WITH FREE AND LOW-COST MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Philadelphia organizations here are making major efforts and strides to serve people experiencing mental health situations and crises. Here, 15 free or low-cost accessible services.
HELP THE HOMELESS IN PHILADELPHIA
There’s quite a bit that we as citizens can do right now to help Philadelphians experiencing homelessness — from shopping curated Amazon top-needs lists to downloading an app that makes donating goods a breeze to literally helping build homes for people. Here, we share more than 15 ideas for how to get involved in the work of ending homelessness in our city.
FIGHT FOOD INSECURITY IN PHILLY
Statistics tell us that around one in five people suffer from food insecurity in Philadelphia — which amounts to some 300,000 of us who lack regular, reliable access to daily meals. So what does helping ease hunger in our city look like on an individual level? Check out our guide for all kinds of ways you can play a role in helping make sure that Philadelphians who need food can get it now.
HOW TO START A COMMUNITY FRIDGE
One way to help alleviate hunger in Philadelphia? Start a community fridge! Sometimes known as “freedges,” community fridges are a type of mutual aid project that offer fresh fruit and vegetables, prepared meals and non-perishable items that are free for all and can be accessed through an outdoor refrigerator at any time. Here, a step-by-step guide to launching one in your neighborhood.
LGBTQ+ ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT IN PHILLY
Thanks to expansive city-mandated protections for its LGBTQ+ citizens, Philadelphia has positioned itself as one of the rainbow-friendliest cities on the planet. But that doesn’t mean all the work is done to ensure protections for all of our LGBTQ friends. Want to do your part to further the movement? Start by supporting the local organizations that are uplifting our LGBTQ+ citizens and working to move the needle on civil rights and social justice.
CONTINUE THE FIGHT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
The work so many people purported to undertake after 2020’s reckoning on race and policing continues — and it takes all of us. Here we lay out some ways to keep the momentum of change going — from advocating for smarter policing to supporting the nonprofits doing the hard work to make Philly a more equitable city for all.
HELP REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS IN PHILADELPHIA
Here in Philly, refugees and immigrants deserve our support — now more than ever. The typical needs — for English classes; cultural orientation; driver’s licenses; jobs — are still there. But these days, our neighbors from other countries are struggling to be safe and to access basic necessities. Here we offer some meaningful ways you can help.
HOW TO HELP VETERANS IN PHILADELPHIA
Philly is home to about 59,000 vets, among the 840,000 throughout the state. You can honor their service by giving back to them, especially those who have had trouble adjusting to life outside the military. It seems like the least we can do. Here, how to get started on your mission to help veterans in Philly and the U.S. through civic engagement.
HELP DOGS + CATS + MORE CUTIES IN PHILADELPHIA ANIMAL SHELTERS
Philly’s amazing pet shelters — ACCT, PAWS, Street Tails — can use all the help they can get. Doing your part could mean adopting (not shopping!), fostering, volunteering — or just taking a new friend for a walk.
HOW TO HELP FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE
Taking action to protect our planet is the work of our lifetime. Since the biggest contributors to climate change seem largely to out of our control, smaller actions — shifting personal practices and sharing your voice — can help the planet and give you hope. What can individual Philadelphians do? Find out here.
Philadelphians throw away 1.5 million tons of trash every year. Here, easy ways to compost, donate and recycle your way to “zero waste.”
HOW TO ORGANIZE A STREET CLEANUP IN PHILLY
Ya Fav Trashman offers a practical guide on how to organize and run a street cleanup in your community. He doled out five tips for how to rally your neighbors to beautify your block.
HOW TO START A GARDEN IN THE CITY
Having a garden at home is simply life-giving, no matter if you’re growing flowers or veggies. Want to give urban gardening a go? Here, gardening experts share practical advice on how to get planting when you live in a city — whether you have a small patio, rooftop deck or just a sunny windowsill.
HOW TO START BIKING IN PHILADELPHIA
Philly has a robust — and friendly — urban biking community. Want to join them? Begin their foray into the world of pedaling around town on two wheels with these recommendations from local biking experts.
SHOP SUSTAINABLE, ECO-FRIENDLY BUSINESSES
Locally-owned shops and service providers are thinking about the future, and you can, too, by choosing to purchase from businesses that are working to preserve the environment and fight climate change.
HELP STUDENTS (AND TEACHERS) IN PHILLY
Philly schools work hard to give Philly kids vital academic, social-emotional and physical support. No matter if you don’t have a student at home. Philly’s kids and educators are ours. We Philadelphians should do our part to help our young people succeed.
20+ EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT IN PHILADELPHIA
Literacy, tech skills, writing, civics, music, art, social-emotional wellness: There are so many education-centric civic engagement causes to support, and some excellent organizations doing the support work. No need to reinvent the wheel: Join up with one of these 20+ groups, and watch your impact go further than you ever thought it could.
HOW TO START A LITTLE FREE LIBRARY
Ever wanted to get in on the movement to stock your very own wooden boxes with pre-loved booked? Little free libraries, which operate on a “take a book, leave a book” model, are surprisingly easy to set up.
THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILADELPHIA
The simple action of getting out and doing things can go a long way in helping our city thrive. Just think about it. You’re helping create a place that’s alive and bustling. That’s great for morale. It’s even greater for the local restaurants, bars, boutiques, arts venues, and public spaces who need a leg up. So, get out and find something fun to do in Philly this weekend. We all deserve it!
DRINK AT PHILLY BREWERIES DOING GOOD
These awesome breweries in Philly, aren’t just a great place to indulge in samples or sip a pint of pilsner. They’re businesses that provide good jobs and give back to their communities and nonprofit organizations across the nation. These spots have helped raise funds for local flood and tornado victims, people experiencing homelessness, families impacted by mental illness and more. Raise a glass to these breweries in Philadelphia that raise the bar on doing good.
EAT WELL FROM PEOPLE THAT DO GOOD
Next time you want to order takeout in Philly, check out one of these 11 spots who all give generously, all while keeping their business up and staff compensated. Or try one of Philly’s women-owned restaurants to show your support for those making our culinary scene rich, nutritious and diverse.
SHOP AT BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES THAT DO GOOD
While 46 percent of Philly’s population is Black, only 2.5 percent of businesses with more than one employee are Black-owned. Do your part. Eat, drink and shop at local Black-owned businesses that do good. Also explore 10 small, under-the-radar, Black-owned businesses in Philly you should know.
PATRONIZE VET-OWNED BUSINESSES
Veterans are among the most civically engaged citizens in the country. Many of them are also entrepreneurs. Some 2.4 million businesses nationwide are majority-owned by veterans, about 9 percent of all small businesses in the country. Here, find 15-plus businesses in and around Philly run by vets. For more, browse Greater Philadelphia Veterans Network’s directory.
GET YOUR COFFEE AT SHOPS THAT DO GOOD
Your morning Joe tastes so much better when you know where it comes from. Choose coffee shops that treat their workers well and give back. Here are Philly coffee shops that do more than just give you a daily pick-me-up.
Independently owned local bookstores not only still exist but are thriving in Philly neighborhoods. Come for the selection, and stay for the events and socializing opportunities.
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