The William Penn Foundation has awarded Please Touch Museum a significant 3-year grant in recognition of the Museum’s ongoing commitment to the Art-Reach ACCESS program, which offers reduced-price admission for families in Philadelphia and beyond.

Please Touch Museum is one of six Philadelphia cultural and educational institutions included in the William Penn Foundation’s $7.6 million grant announcement. The grants will provide funding to six of 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 provides reduced-price admission to individuals and families who participate in SNAP, Medicaid, and other qualifying programs.

The grants were awarded based on the number of ACCESS visitors each institution served during Art-Reach’s 2025 fiscal year. Since 2014, Please Touch Museum has welcomed more visitors through the Art-Reach ACCESS program than any other cultural institution in the region. The Museum will receive $872,350 annually over the next three years through the Foundation’s grant.

Play for All

A visit to Please Touch Museum is often a child’s first cultural experience, and Please Touch Museum is honored to be accessible to Philadelphia’s youngest learners as they discover the power of learning through play.

Designed specifically for children ages 0–8 and their caregivers, the Museum provides joyful, hands-on learning opportunities during the most critical years of early development. Ensuring that all families can participate in these experiences is central to the Museum’s mission.

Expanding Access for Philadelphia Families

“We are deeply grateful for the Foundation’s support in recognition of the importance of ensuring access to cultural institutions for all Philadelphians, beginning with our youngest children and their caregivers,” said Melissa Weiler Gerber, President & CEO of Please Touch Museum.

“Our commitment to access is foundational to our mission, and this investment strengthens our ability to serve Philadelphia’s youngest learners. Our commitment to access is foundational to our mission, and The William Penn Foundation’s significant investment in organizations dedicated to accessibility for all represents a model of civic leadership we hope others will be inspired to follow.”

A Continued Commitment

Please Touch Museum extends its sincere thanks to the William Penn Foundation for its leadership and investment in ensuring that Philadelphia’s cultural assets remain accessible, welcoming, and vibrant.