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Fall 2025 Grant and Scholarship Awardees

Date Posted: July 23, 2026
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The Leon H. Sullivan Charitable Trust is proud to announce it awarded 20 grants and scholarships totaling $125,000 this fall across its three funding programs, investing in Philadelphia small businesses, nonprofits, and students building toward economic self-sufficiency and community impact.

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Moving Mountains Grant Awardees

Stabilizing and strengthening Philadelphia-owned small businesses.

The Moving Mountains Grant provides $10,000 awards to Philadelphia-based small businesses generating under $250,000 in annual revenue and operating for at least three years, with priority given to businesses in North Philadelphia. The grant is designed to stabilize and strengthen day-to-day operations, prioritizing core needs that unlock capacity, reduce risk, and sustain or grow revenue. We awarded five grants totaling $50,000 this fall.

  • Castillo Mattress & Furniture, a family-owned mattress and furniture store in Philadelphia. ($10,000)
  • Dillonades, owned by Dillon and Tiffany Green, a Philadelphia-based fresh-squeezed, fruit-infused lemonade company. ($10,000)
  • Next Generation Pest Control LLC, owned by Damien Sears, an owner-operated pest and wildlife control service based in North Philadelphia. ($10,000)
  • Remedy Spa + Wellness, owned by Cari Young, a full-service day spa in Brewerytown offering massage, skincare, and holistic wellness services. ($10,000)
  • The Sable Collective, owned by Shanti Mayers, a Philadelphia boutique curated for women of color offering body care, books, jewelry, and housewares. ($10,000)

Pathways to Impact Grant Awardees

Advancing equity, opportunity, and community empowerment.

The Pathways to Impact Grant supports Philadelphia-based nonprofit organizations advancing equity, opportunity, and community empowerment across education, youth mentorship, workforce readiness, and food access. We awarded five $10,000 grants totaling $50,000 this fall to organizations reflecting that range of impact.

  • Black Girls Love Math, led by Atiyah Harmon, providing after-school and Saturday math programming to increase the number of Black girls pursuing STEM. ($10,000)
  • Collective Success Network, led by Geena Asiedu, supporting first-generation and low-income Philadelphia college students through mentorship, professional development, and networking. ($10,000)
  • Novick Urban Farm, led by Erin Dorsey, an educational production farm in South Philadelphia providing healthy food access and hands-on nutrition education. ($10,000)
  • Victory United, led by Mike Morak, empowering youth and uniting communities through basketball in underserved neighborhoods. ($10,000)
  • Mentor Leaders Produce Mentor Leaders, led by Vincent Garrett, mentoring young men ages 10 to 24 in West Philadelphia through academic, professional, and emotional development programming. ($10,000)

Fall 2025 Step Up Scholarship Recipients

Investing in Philadelphia students pursuing postsecondary education.

The Step Up Scholarship provides $2,500 awards to Philadelphia residents who are recent high school graduates or currently enrolled in postsecondary education, with a minimum 2.75 GPA. Rooted in the Trust’s values of self-help and social responsibility, the scholarship invests in students who demonstrate perseverance, initiative, and a strong commitment to personal growth and community impact. We awarded ten scholarships totaling $25,000 this fall.

  • Dana Russell, Penn State University
  • Gillian Byrd III, Morehouse College
  • Ja’Nyah Stallworth, Temple University
  • Jessica Holloman, Roxborough School of Nursing
  • Khalil Brown, Northampton Community College
  • Surafel Chane, Temple University
  • Tali Simpkins, Towson University
  • Tiara Bassett, Eastern University
  • Zanaya Ross, Cheyney University
  • Zayna Gilgeous, Drexel University