PHILADELPHIA, May 9, 2001 – The Philadelphia region’s many cultural attractions, large and small, will get some needed promotional assistance, thanks to a three-year grant of $887,095 awarded by the William Penn Foundation to the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC). The grant will be used to increase the marketing capabilities and promotional resources of up to 500 regional treasures: museums, performing arts groups, libraries with special collections, parks and historic sites.

The funding will enable GPTMC to work with cultural institutions – from outdoor public art and pocket museums, to shrines and sacred sites – to develop media-ready background information, high quality photography and video footage of large and small cultural institutions over a three-year period.

The material will then be used by GPTMC in its promotional efforts, as well as by the attractions themselves in brochures, Web sites, advertising and in press coverage.

"We’re grateful to the William Penn Foundation for this opportunity," said Meryl Levitz, president and CEO of GPTMC. "There are 300 years worth of wonderful stories to tell here, and the creation of these new and necessary marketing materials will result in these stories reaching more media, residents and visitors."

The William Penn Foundation promotes understanding of and action on important issues facing the Philadelphia region, in order to advance dynamic and diverse communities that provide meaningful opportunity, and to improve the region’s quality of life. Through its grantmaking and other efforts, the Foundation strengthens our children’s future, fosters rich cultural expression, and deepens our connections to nature and community.

The foundation funds proposals from nonprofits working in Arts and Culture; Children, Youth, and Families; and Environment and Communities, and seeks dialogue with organizations and others concerned about our communities. For more information, call (215) 988-1830; e-mail to moreinfo@wpennfdn.org; or visit www.wpennfdn.org.

The William Penn Foundation, with assets of $1.2 billion, was founded in 1945 by Otto and Phoebe Haas.

Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation is a non-profit organization dedicated to generating awareness of and visitation to Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call (877) GO-PHILA.

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