Support Families Forward with a financial gift today!

Click on the secure DONATE button below to access the online donation page, or continue reading for other ways you can help and get involved.

A large portion of our funding is provided by the City of Philadelphia Office of Supportive Housing.  Families Forward Philadelphia is also a federal contractor with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

We also need the following in-kind gifts on an ongoing basis:

  • Infant items – families in crisis arrive with limited or no supplies to care for their infants.  The parents are focused on how to obtain the necessities: food, shelter, and a safe, warm place to live.  Pregnant, young mothers are sometimes in need of the diapers, wipes, bottles, shampoo, lotion, etc. to help them care for their newborns.
  • Move-out kits – below are acceptable items to help families transition from shelter and into transitional and permanent housing units – towels and wash cloths, bleach, laundry and dish detergent, disinfectant and cleanser, silverware, shower curtains, hooks, bath mats, brooms, buckets and mops, trash cans, laundry baskets, and storage containers. New Items only. 
  • Amazon Wish List – Check out our Amazon Wish List for up-to-date priority items.

Throughout the year, we have many opportunities to give back.  Whether you’d like to give hope to a family for the holidays or provide back-to-school essentials to needy student, there is always a place for you:

  • Annual Spring Event (3rd Week in April) – Spring into Giving Week celebrates new beginnings in spring and provides opportunities for children and parents to have fun. Donations are needed to coordinate activities such as face painting, egg hunts and games.
  • Summer Camp Appeal (May-June) – During this appeal, we raise funds to introduce 100 children to new and exciting experiences, like trips to the local museums and historic sites. Kids also enjoy outdoor and educational activities which promote exercise and academic progress.  Donation items are needed such as bathing suits, towels, water shoes, sun tan lotion, etc. making it possible for our children to enjoy a fun-filled summer.
  • Back to School Drive (July-September) – This initiative helps us get supplies to prepare children for the new school year, including backpacks, pencils & cases, pens, crayons, and loose leaf paper. We also need assistance providing new school uniforms. A gift of $75 can help purchase 2 pair if uniform pants , 2 shirts & 1 pair of shoes. Gift cards to Gap, Old Navy, Target, and Wal-Mart can also help with purchases.
  • Halloween (October) – We host an annual Halloween Party for children in our shelter and in our Community Housing Program. Donation items are needed, such as candy, costumes (new and gently used), juice, apples, pumpkins and volunteers to provide Halloween activities.
  • Holiday Gift Card Drive (November-December) – Our Holiday Gift Card Drive allows parents to shop for their own kids around the holidays.

Families Forward Philadelphia no longer accepts gently used clothing or other items.

If you have held publicly traded stock for more than one year, you may take a charitable contribution for the market value of the appreciated stock, which will not require payment of capital gains tax. For more information about donating appreciated stock, please contact Kathy Meck, Chief Development Officer, at 215-240-4816 or .

Families Forward Philadelphia is a registered 501(c) (3) non-profit.

All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law.