Who We Are:The Philly Service Award is an independent nonprofit that mobilizes groups of Philadelphia high school students to lead service projects that meet real needs in their communities. By removing cost barriers and trusting young people, PSA supports student-led responses to food access, community safety, and more. PSA generates thousands of service hours each year while connecting students, schools, and neighborhoods across Philadelphia.
What We Are Doing:The Philly Service Award (PSA) partners with Philadelphia high schools to cultivate service and leadership in the next generation, giving young people the resources to be the architects of a better Philly. Through our proactive investment, PSA removes the fundraising hurdle for schools and accelerates their ability to collaborate on meaningful, immediate change in their neighborhoods.
By uniting public, private, charter, and parochial schools in a competition for good, PSA drives thousands of hours of youth-led service annually. Each year, schools are invited to submit their completed projects to our Impact Awards to compete for a share of more than $140,000 in school enhancement and student enrichment funds. This allows students not only to transform their neighborhoods but also to leave a sustaining legacy in their schools.
The Process:August – November | Service funds are claimed: Eligible Philadelphia high schools apply to redeem their initial $1,000 community service grant.
November | Funding Awarded: Once approved, schools receive their $1,000 to jumpstart their student-designed service projects.
November – March | Action Phase: Student groups lead and execute their projects across the city, transforming their neighborhoods.
April | Submission: Participating schools submit their completed projects for consideration for the Impact Awards.
May | The Awards Ceremony: Hundreds of students and faculty gather as we distribute 12 Impact Awards (ranging from $5,000 to $20,000) for school enhancement and student enrichment.