This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
Nine Philadelphia nonprofits have each been awarded $40,000 by GlaxoSmithKline for their contributions to building healthy communities.
The recipients were: After School Activities Partnership (ASAP); the Center for Grieving Children; Community Design Collaborative of Philadelphia; Gearing Up; Graduate! Philadelphia; Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; Philadelphia Youth Network Inc.; University City District; and YouthBuild Philly.
In a morning ceremony at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, recipients were presented with the GSK IMPACT Award, which recognizes nonprofit organizations addressing critical community factors with sustainable programs, according to a statement announcing the event.
To be considered for the award, organizations had to address one health and wellness concern, including diet and exercise, education, employment, family and social support, or the built environment. Organizations had to prove that their operations, finances, and programming were strong and stable in order to qualify.
Several of the Philadelphia organizations were honored for their support of youth and families with healthy initiatives and educational support that helped connect community members with resources that would earn them diplomas, better their neighborhood, and teach them skills needed for career opportunities.
“Today’s winners show us what it means and what it takes to build a healthier greater Philadelphia area,” said Katie Loovis, GlaxoSmithKline’s director of U.S. community partnerships and stakeholder engagement.
As part of “Giving Tuesday,” the GSK Impact Award-winning organizations were invited to participate in a first-ever GSK Twitter challenge in a chance for one nonprofit to win an additional $10,000. Each winner was asked to tweet today between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. what they would do with the additional award to “foster a healthier community,” according to a release.
Using the handle #GSKimpact, University City District tweeted: “With support from @GSKUS, we’ll make playing in the street safe, fun, & healthy!”
With support from @GSKUS, we have an idea to bring safe fun to our children! #PlayStreets #GSKimpact Read more: http://t.co/EMiICNfZgX — University City (@ucdphl) December 2, 2014
Gearing Up, an organization that helps women recovering from addiction, incarceration, and/or abuse get started bicycling, tweeted that they would “want deeper impact & meaningful giveback” for their volunteers if they won.
If #MyBikeSpoke "the volunteers I roll with are superstars!" we want deeper impact & meaningful giveback for vols help us do it! #GSKimpact — Gearing Up (@gearingupphila) December 2, 2014
The After School Activities Partnership noted the wide reach of its afterschool program directory.
Tweet to help 10,000 families find safe afterschool programs. Ask how here or visit: http://t.co/5OUdfvY8rU #GSKimpact @GSKUS #GivingTuesday — ASAP (@PhillyASAP) December 2, 2014
Partnered with United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, the GSK Impact Awards in Philadelphia have given $6 million to roughly 150 local nonprofits, with an additional 50 U.S. organizations receiving over $2 million for over 20 years, according to a release.
More information on the GSK Impact Award and its 2014 winners can be found at their website, and through their Twitter handle @GSKUS.
Shannon Nolan is an intern at the Notebook.