Community organizations that serve the lowest income Philadelphians are invited to apply for a new grant opportunity to help families claim their new federal Child Tax Credit (CTC) payments.
The CTC gives parents or guardians, regardless of income, up to $3,600 for each child aged 5 and younger, or $3,000 for kids aged 6-17. These payments are already having an impact in reducing child hunger, and it is estimated that 75,000 Philadelphians will be lifted out of poverty if everyone claims the payments they are eligible for.
The IRS began making monthly payments of $250 or $300 per child on July 15th for parents or guardians who filed their taxes in 2019 or 2020, or who claimed their children’s stimulus payments. But some of the lowest income Philadelphians are at risk of leaving this money on the table because the IRS does not have their information to begin making payments.
It’s not too late; even if they missed the monthly payments, families can still get the full amount they are eligible for by claiming the CTC by filing their information with the IRS.
The Scattergood Foundation has teamed up with the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO) to make grants available to community groups for grassroots activities aimed at reaching the lowest income Philadelphia parents or guardians. Funds can be used to educate residents and help them claim the payments. Applications are due November 1st, 2021 for work to be conducted from January 1st – June 30th, 2022.
Click here to submit an application.
To apply, please select the ‘Child Tax Credit’ application in the online grant portal.
For more information about the opportuniy:
Who Should Apply?
Philadelphia-based community organizations with 501 (c)(3) status, or a fiscal sponsor, that already serve very low-income communities or groups that are at risk of not receiving the CTC are encouraged to apply.
According to the U.S. Treasury, the following neighborhoods have the highest number of children in deep poverty whose parents or guardians are unlikely to already be receiving the CTC. Organizations that have a track recording serving these neighborhoods are also encouraged to apply.
- Port Richmond
- Juniata/Frankford/Feltonville
- Hunting Park
- Logan/Olney/Feltonville
- Frankford/Mayfair
- Lawndale/Castor Gardens
- Fairhill/North Philadelphia
- Germantown
- Strawberry Mansion
- West Philadelphia/Walnut Hill
- South Philadelphia/Whitman/Pennsport
- Wynnefield
- Brewerytown
- Passyunk/Graduate Hospital/Grays Ferry
- West Oak Lane
- Tacony
- Southwest Philadelphia
- University City/Belmont/Parkside/Powelton Village
- Holmesburg
We encourage applications from organizations whose staff, board, and/or volunteers include representation from the communities this project aims to reach. To apply, go here.
