Ideas We Should Steal Festival 2024

A 24-Hour Marathon of Giving Local

The director of Austin’s annual event that raised $10 million for 700 local nonprofits — in one single day — talks about how it works at The Citizen’s 7th annual event on November 15

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

A Jobs Program that Works

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative helped nearly 2,000 Philadelphians find work. Now, with a large grant from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the organization is expanding and rebranding to connect more Philadelphians with skills, jobs and career opportunities

By Courtney DuChene

Improving Economic Health, Generation to Generation

The 40-something year-old Norris Square-based nonprofit Xiente takes a new, all-ages approach to tackling poverty among some of Philadelphia’s poorest residents

By Courtney DuChene

Are We in a Nonprofit Bubble?

UArts. Benefits Data Trust. The Free Library Author Series. Resources for Human Development … Is the nonprofit sector imploding? What the hell’s going on?

By Larry Platt
Guest Commentary

Dear Philly, Please Pay Your Providers

The CEO of a health services nonprofit calls on Mayor Parker to ensure fast, reliable payment to organizations doing the hard work of keeping Philadelphians safe and healthy

By Michael Pearson
Art for Change

Art Is a Verb That Means Change

The Forman Arts Initiative hired its first executive director, Adjoa Jones de Almeida, to shape their vision for an exhibit and engagement space centering their vast art collection and local community. Just don’t call it a museum

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
Citizen of the Year Awards

Dr. David C. Fajgenbaum

The Penn Medicine physician turned his five near-death experiences into a mission to save the lives of people suffering from humanity’s 12,000 known diseases. Is it any wonder, then, that Fajgenbaum is our Citizen of the Year?

By Jessica Blatt Press
The Citizen Recommends

Alex G Concert to Benefit Make the World Better

Former Eagle Connor Barwin’s annual fundraiser to rebuild city parks features the Philly-born singer songwriter, a tailgate party with special guests and a chance to rock out for good

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

Meet Philadelphia’s Cosmic Writers

This nonprofit brings out the creative writer in school-age students in Philly and beyond. In a city with an abysmal literacy rate, these efforts are paying off.

By Courtney DuChene
Citizen Of The Week

Chris Ulmer of Special Books by Special Kids

A Northeast Philly native is transforming how the world treats people with disabilities, one goofy YouTube interview at a time.

By Lauren McCutcheon