WSFS CARES Foundation Provided $2.7 Million in Charitable Grants and Contributions in 2023

The WSFS CARES Foundation, the charitable giving arm of WSFS Bank, announced it provided grants and donations totaling more than $2.7 million to more than 390 community organizations located across Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in 2023. WSFS also made a $2.0 million contribution to the WSFS CARES Foundation in 2023 to support future investments in its Communities.

In addition to the grants, Team WSFS, the WSFS corporate volunteer program, volunteered more than 18,000 hours during 2023. This included the inaugural “We Stand for Service Day” in June, a volunteer initiative where WSFS closed its banking offices for a half day so approximately 1,200 Associates could volunteer nearly 5,000 hours at more than 80 organizations and make an impact across the Greater Philadelphia and Delaware region.

“In 2023, the WSFS CARES Foundation provided grants to more than 390 community organizations who have a shared focus with the Foundation’s key pillars,” said Patrick J. Ward, Executive Vice President, Pennsylvania Market President at WSFS Bank and Chairman of the WSFS CARES Foundation. “We’re proud of the impact the WSFS CARES Foundation and our Team WSFS volunteers have made by working hand-in-hand to address the needs of our Communities, and I would like to thank our dedicated Associate volunteers for living our mission each day.”

The WSFS CARES Foundation’s key pillars of support include community investments, affordable housing, revitalization and business economic empowerment, education and leadership development, and strengthening those in need.

Among just a few of the organizations receiving grants in 2023:

Philadelphia Academies, Inc.

Among the organizations receiving a grant from the WSFS CARES Foundation in 2023 was Philadelphia Academies, Inc. (PAI) to support its mission to be an innovative nonprofit organization that works with students, educators, and partners to improve outcomes for Philadelphia’s young people. In addition to the grant, WSFS provided 10 financial education workshops for more than 150 PAI students in 2023.

“WSFS Bank has been instrumental in our efforts to improve outcomes for youth in Philadelphia,” said Jay Vazquez, President and CEO, Philadelphia Academies, Inc. “Thanks to their partnership, our students have gained invaluable financial literacy instruction and enjoyed transformative learning experiences.”

Cathedral Kitchen

In New Jersey, Cathedral Kitchen received a grant to support its mission to help people out of food insecurity and champion their pursuit of stability and prosperity. In addition to financial support, Team WSFS took part in regular volunteer initiatives with the organization, including for the inaugural “We Stand for Service Day.”

“Cathedral Kitchen is grateful to the WSFS CARES Foundation for their generous support, both financially and through their dedicated Associate volunteerism,” said Carrie Kitchen-Santiago, Executive Director, Cathedral Kitchen. “Their support helps us continue to meet the immediate needs of vulnerable families and individuals in our community while helping them break down barriers to stability.”

Sunday Breakfast Mission

The WSFS CARES Foundation also provided support to Sunday Breakfast Mission through a grant as well as partnering together for WSFS’ annual Food Drive, which raised 56,000 pounds of food to be donated to Sunday Breakfast Mission and Sharing Excess.

“When you think about a partnership between a Bank and a charity that has resulted in more than a million and a half meals to hungry men, women and children, as well as hundreds of lives that have been transformed through programs that began with one of those meals, it is no longer just a Bank and a charity,” said Rev. Tom Laymon, Senior Pastor, CEO and President, Sunday Breakfast Mission. “It is a wonderful life-giving family adventure – that is what WSFS Bank has been with Sunday Breakfast Mission.”