Today The William Penn Foundation announced it will be investing $1.5 million to help streamline the School District of Philadelphia's operations and create a financially sustainable future.

The Foundation President, Jeremy Nowak, announced a majority of the resources would be applied to the design and implementation phases of the Boston Consulting Group contract, recently announced by the School Reform Commission.

The Boston Consulting Group has worked extensively with troubled school districts and will examine the District's operating systems and make recommendations on how to narrow the funding gap. 

In addition to its direct financial support, the Foundation, alongside United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, plans to help the School Reform Commission identify other private funders to help the district move forward.

Two weeks ago, the Foundation announced grant funding for 37 Philadelphia-area projects that will benefit organizations oriented around family, environment, and arts-related goals. Grants included investments in the Philadelphia Schools Project, Drexel University and the Academy of Natural Sciences, The Philadelphia Live Arts Festival, and The Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children. The list of full grant recipients can be found here.