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A Legacy of Community Investment Since 1966

Founded through collective community investment, the Leon H. Sullivan Charitable Trust has served Philadelphia, especially North Philadelphia, for nearly six decades. We strengthen local infrastructure, expand access to opportunity, and invest in the people and organizations driving long-term progress.

The Leon H. Sullivan Charitable Trust is a community-rooted foundation based in North Philadelphia, born out of a movement for economic justice in 1966. Established through collective investment by members of Zion Baptist Church and guided by the vision of Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan, the Trust was built by the community to serve the community.

Today, we invest in nonprofits, small businesses, and students across Philadelphia by expanding access to funding, space, and critical resources. Our work is focused on communities that have experienced long-term disinvestment, with an emphasis on creating pathways to economic stability and growth.

Through our investments, we support upward mobility, strengthen community-based organizations, and help individuals access opportunities that improve long term outcomes for themselves and their families.

We also serve as a connector and convener, bringing together partners, resources, and ideas to support the people and organizations already leading change. In doing so, we help strengthen the conditions for a more just and thriving Philadelphia.

Six Decades of Growth

For nearly six decades, the Trust has grown alongside the communities it serves. These milestones reflect a sustained commitment to economic empowerment, opportunity, and community-led progress in Philadelphia and beyond.

Expanding Economic Opportunity

The Trust launched Progress Creative Analysis (PCA), a research and development initiative focused on identifying and supporting business opportunities beyond Philadelphia. In the same year, the Entrepreneurial Development Training Center (EDTC) was established to provide management and business ownership training.

Building Entrepreneurial Pathways

Within its first five years, EDTC trained hundreds of participants, graduating 488 individuals from management programs and 342 from business ownership programs, strengthening pathways to economic mobility.

Expanding Technical Support

EDTC became an affiliate of the Office of Minority Business Enterprises (OMBE), enabling the expansion of services to include technical assistance and support for entrepreneurs.

Advancing Business Development

Progress Management and Economic Development (PMED) provided advanced training in marketing, merchandising, accounting, and real estate. Graduates developed economic projects in multiple cities, extending the Trust’s impact beyond Philadelphia.

Supporting Business Growth Nationally

With support from PCA, PMED graduates launched businesses including retail shops, service stations, and a shopping center in Arizona. Together, PMED and PCA helped establish EDTC programs in 31 cities, several of which received federal funding or institutional support.

Investing in Minority-Owned Businesses

The Trust supported the creation of Progress Venture Capital Corporation (PVCC), a Minority Enterprise Small Business Investment Company. As the majority stakeholder, the Trust helped provide financial capital to businesses developed through its training programs.

Investing in Community Infrastructure

The Trust acquired and managed properties to support community-based organizations, including workforce training centers and service providers, strengthening local infrastructure and access to resources.

Supporting Education Access

Through the Progress Educational Project (PEP), the Trust prepared students for post-secondary education by providing both academic and financial support.

Advancing Economic Empowerment

Across its history, the Trust has served as a steward of resources, investing in initiatives that promote economic empowerment for individuals and communities

Today, the Trust continues to invest in nonprofits, small businesses, and students across Philadelphia while stewarding shared community space. We strengthen what exists, support what’s emerging, and expand opportunity so communities can thrive on their own terms.

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