The Grandom Institution

History of the Grandom Institution

The Grandom Institution was founded in 1842 by a generous bequest from Hartt Grandom, a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). In the 19th century and the first half of the 20th, Grandom funds were chiefly used for the distribution of firewood and coal at reduced rates to the poor of Philadelphia. Today The Grandom Institution is a collection of several trusts that make grants to organizations serving low-income people, for a range of energy assistance, energy, and self-sufficiency purposes every year for over 175 years.

Adapting to changing demands, in the latter half of the 20th century, funds have been distributed to organizations for all types of heating fuel, including oil, gas and electricity; for preventative or self-help measures such as weatherization and insulation; for educational programs to assist individuals to reduce their energy use and burden; and for energy efficiency improvements. The Grandom Institution has also supported heating costs and energy efficiency improvements to emergency shelters and transitional housing facilities in both Philadelphia and the surrounding counties.

Priorities of the Grandom Institution

Climate change is well underway and has a disproportionate impact on the poor and elderly. When evaluating grant requests from organizations, the Grandom Distribution Committee places a priority on clean, affordable energy solutions. These solutions are intended to increase self-sufficiency and reduce energy burden permanently.

Examples of the types of projects that meet this priority include:

  • Self-help weatherization workshops including the distribution of materials for low-income households
  • Energy efficiency improvements
  • Decarbonization projects such as replacing fossil fuel heating systems with electric heat pumps. Decarbonization projects are those that replace fossil fuel end uses, e.g. fuel oil or gas, with clean energy such as electricity or solar
  • Solar energy installations

Organizations may still apply for:

  • Bill Payment Assistance for low and low moderate income households
  • Bill Payment Assistance for homeless shelters and other related programs

Guidelines for Proposals

Organizations must submit a Coversheet, Budget, and Proposal. Proposals should be brief and should not exceed 10 pages including the budget. Proposals should include:

  • Brief history and purpose of the organization,
  • Goals and objectives,
  • Description of program or project for which the grant is requested,
  • If you are partnering with another organization, please identify the organization and describe the role of each partner
  • Anticipated results,
  • Budget (suggested format),
  • List of the organization’s Board of Directors*,
  • Most recent 990*,
  • Audit or Financial Statement for most recently completed fiscal year*, and
  • Proof of its tax-exempt status*
    * Document page count not included in 10 page limit

Deadline for Applications & Reports

All applications for Winter 2024-25 must be received by July 1, 2024, no later than 5 pm. Email completed Coversheet, Budget, and Proposal, including all supporting documents to mblackwell@friendsfiduciary.org with the subject line “Grandom Application

If your organization received funding for Winter 2023-24, a Report must be received by July 1,2024, no later than 5 pm. (Report forms are mailed to organizations with the grant award.)

For more information, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Please email mblackwell@friendsfiduciary.org with any additional questions. Remember to put “Grandom Question” in the subject line.