Enrichment Grants
Explore Your Interests
The Ellis Trust provides funding for our scholars at Philadelphia Public and Charter high schools to have meaningful experiences and opportunities outside the traditional classroom. Enrichment Grants go towards strengthening their academic skills, developing their character, perfecting their talents and helping them discover who they are and who they hope to be. Students have used their Enrichment Grants in the past to take acting classes, learn another language, participate in sports, or enroll in pre-college classes. You can explore all the programs we’ve worked with in the past below for inspiration!
We also award grants to help cover basic school-related needs, such as uniforms and supplies.
Steps To Be An Ellis Trust Enrichment Scholar
Apply to the Ellis Trust
Apply to be an Ellis Trust Scholar when the application opens on April 15th each year (the application is open until we run out of funding – apply early!) If you apply by October 31st, you are eligible for a $400 Back to School Award in addition to Ellis Enrichment Grant funding. You must reapply to the Ellis Trust each year.
Hear Back from the Ellis Trust
If declined, we will let you know the reason (please refer to our eligibility page for questions).
If approved, you can start requesting funding immediately!
*If we need more info from you, we will let you know how to revise your application*
Research and Apply to Program Providers
Don’t know which program to use your Ellis Enrichment Grant towards? Check out the programs we’ve worked with in the past for inspiration. If you have a program we haven’t worked with before, we will need to make sure we can partner with them before we can pay your program fees. Once you know your program, apply and get accepted!
Request Ellis Trust Funding Grants
Complete the Grant Request Form to request funding throughout the school year. You can request funding for more than one program. If requesting from a new program, we must approve them before paying your program fees. Ellis Trust students are capped at certain amount of grant funding each year (we will let you know when you’ve reached your grant limit).
Participate in Your Ellis Funded Program
Have an amazing experience participating in your enrichment program. It is the Ellis Trust expectation that you fully participate in your program throughout the duration. Failure to do so puts your ability to request further funding at risk.
Enrichment Program Options
Lifelong interests and new passions can develop with extracurricular opportunities outside of school hours. See how Ellis Enrichment Programs can your exposure to fields like the arts, athletics, academics, and STEM. Our list of past program providers is designed to start your thinking. If you haven’t found one you like, you may also consider programs not included in this list. Please remember to request enrichment funding for all programs you wish to participate in using the button at the bottom of this page.
The Arts
Past grants have included:
- Alex J Dream Center
- Appel Farm Arts Camp
- Bella Ballerina Dance Academy
- Dance Institute of Philadelphia
- Koresh Dance Company
- MADE Institute Teen Programs
- Movement Performing Arts Conservatory
- Philadelphia Dance Co. (PHILADANCO)
- Philly Movements Dance Company
- Philadelphia School of Circus Arts
- Philadelphia Young Playwrights
- Project Write- UPenn
- Settlement Music School
- Temple Music Prep
- Temple Tyler Pre-College Programs
- Walnut Street Theatre
- Young Artists Workshop – Moore College of Art & Design
Athletics
Academic and Pre-College Support
Past grants have included:
- Advance College Experience– Community College of Philadelphia
- Deaf Hearing Communication Centre
- Drexel University Summer Institutes
- Early College Program – Spelman College
- Harvard Secondary School Program– Harvard University
- Infinite Mind Tutors
- Mathnasium of Center City
- Moore College of Art and Design Youth Programs
- Test Prep at TEACH
- Team Tutor
- Temple Pre-College Program
- University of Delaware Pre-College
STEM
Past grants have included:
- HOSA Future Health Professionals Leadership Conferences
- InnovateHER Leadership Lab
- Management & Technology Summer Institute- UPenn
- Monell Science Apprentice
- Philadelphia Free Enterprise Week (PFEW)
- Summer Science @ Jefferson – Biomedical Sciences
- Wharton Sports Business Academy (WSBA)
- WHYY Summer Camp
- Women in Natural Sciences (WINS) – Academy of Natural Sciences
Teachers, Counselors & Community-Based Organizations
If you are a teacher, a high school guidance counselor or work with an organization that serves young women, we need your help. Your daily work with Philadelphia-area girls puts you in a unique position to reach students who may be eligible for an Ellis Trust grant. If you know of any young women who meet our eligibility requirements, please encourage them to apply. Our aim is to provide as many girls as possible with the resources and opportunities that will prepare them for success in their college and career endeavors.
More Questions?
Check out our FAQ section with answers to frequently asked questions about eligibility and the application process.
Visit FAQ page