Press Release

Morris Arboretum & Gardens has received a new $304,980 grant from the William Penn Foundation to support access to the Morris by families and individuals with low incomes and/or disabilities.

The grant is one of six totaling $7.6 million given to the most-visited organizations in Philadelphia that participate in the Harvey and Virginia Kimmel Family Fund ACCESS Program, a region-wide initiative administered by Art-Reach that enables affordable entry to cultural sites for individuals receiving public assistance for food or medical benefits. A grant was also awarded to Art-Reach to subsidize the ongoing costs of operating this important program.

“We are deeply grateful to the William Penn Foundation for this generous support,” said Executive Director William Cullina. “This grant affirms our long-standing commitment to welcoming children, families, and individuals of all abilities and incomes to the Morris Arboretum & Gardens. With this investment, we can continue to offer meaningful, high-quality experiences that ensure everyone in our region feels they belong here.”

The ACCESS program at Morris has grown substantially over the years. In Fiscal Year 2023, more than 8,000 people took advantage of the $2 admission to the arboretum. That number rose to 10,497 in Fiscal Year 2025, which represents one out of every six non-member admissions. In addition to the ACCESS program, the Morris provides free admission to active-duty service members and their families, and free admission and transportation to underserved school children in Philadelphia.

The William Penn Foundation grant awards are intended to help sustain and expand participation by Philadelphia-based institutions in the ACCESS program and to support Art-Reach as the program administrator. Grants are to be used to support functions such as visitor services, staffing, operating, and capital costs that are necessary to make these institutions engaging and educational places to be for all families and individuals regardless of income or ability. In the 2024–
2025 fiscal year, the six institutions receiving foundation support hosted more than 240,000 visits at low or no cost through the ACCESS program.

For more information, email Mellany Armstrong at mellanya@upenn.edu or call 215.247.5777 x135.

About William Penn Foundation
The William Penn Foundation, founded in 1945 by Otto and Phoebe Haas, is committed to expanding access to resources and opportunities that promote a more vital and just city and region for all. We do this through funding programs in the Philadelphia region in arts and culture, children and families, democracy and civic initiatives, environment and public space, and workforce training and services. Learn more at www.williampennfoundation.org.