peer panel process

PCF seeks 30 - 35 art and culture advocates to serve as peer panelists for the 2026 Community Impact Grant.

‍The Grant Review Peer Panel
‍The Grant Review Peer Panel will play a key role in PCF’s 2026 grant cycle by reviewing and evaluating submissions from all eligible applicants of the 2026 Community Impact Grant. Panelists will receive training and facilitation support and will work independently and in teams throughout the process to complete their application review. Panelists will come together in a series of meetings to deliberate and make final funding recommendations to PCF. There are a total of 140 Community Impact Grants available for this grant cycle.
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Benefits of Serving as a Peer Panelist:
PCF is excited to bring on several dozen Peer Panelists for this spring’s grant review process. Your participation directly supports our City’s art and culture ecosystem. We’re seeking 30–35 local individuals who engage with art and culture through work, passion, or practice. We believe this experience will:

- Build your knowledge and skills around grantmaking.
- Grow your understanding of how to apply for a grant and your confidence to do it.
- Build community with others who share your interests and commitments.
- Create space to network with peers and learn more about the impact of art and culture organizations in Philadelphia.
- Help spread the word in your own communities and networks about the Community Impact Grant.
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Responsibilities
Grant panelists will work both independently and collaboratively, to ensure a fair and objective review process. 

Meeting Availability‍
Independent Reading and Scoring
Participate on a Peer Panel Team‍
Meet Deadlines
Assess Applicant’s Sense of Fit 
Confidentiatlity
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More about these responsibilities are detailed in the application materials.

Time Commitment
An anticipated 37-40 hours, divided between meetings and independent work. Panelists can anticipate the following approximate time commitments. See specific dates under the “Am I Eligible?” checklist further below.

- Orientation and Training (4 hours) In Person
- Independently read 20-25 applications (10 hours) Deliberation by team (10 hours) Virtual
- Full-group deliberation day 1 (6 hours) In Person
- Full-group deliberation day 2 (6 hours) In Person
- Reflection and evaluation (1 hours) TBD

‍Compensation
PCF Peer Panelists will be compensated with a stipend of $1,300 to honor their time, expertise, and contributions to PCF and to art and culture in Philadelphia during this process. Payments will be made to panelists upon completion of their work on the panel in two stages: $650 in the beginning of March, and $650 at the close of the Peer Panel process in April. We will collect a W-9 and payment information from you in January 2026 when you sign the panelist contract.

Am I eligible to be a Peer Panelist?
You do not need prior experience to be a part of the grant review panel; in fact, no previous grantmaking knowledge is required. We will provide all the training you need to feel prepared, comfortable, and confident in making recommendations.

You do need to meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Reside and/or work in Philadelphia and be willing to commute to Center City Philadelphia for in person sessions.
- Be comfortable reading up to 75 pages of applications online or in print within a two-week period in February 2026
- Have an interest in expanding access to art and culture in Philadelphia
- Be available for all of the contracted dates (listed in the application).
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