Anthony Penna Charitable Fund Awards & Grants

The Anthony Penna Charitable Fund seeks to help offset the costs and fees associated with participation in band, choir, and theatre, thereby enabling students to partake in these programs when financial circumstances might pose a barrier. Grants are intended for the direct support of students and are not intended for capital expense items such as lighting, risers, sound systems, etc.

Open to schools in the state of Delaware who offer primary and secondary education, and relevant non-profit organizations, Grant requests may be made on behalf of schools, programs, or individuals. At this time, our fund structure only permits us to grant awards to other 501(c)(3) organizations.

Eligible costs may include but are not limited to:

• Sheet music, commissioned music or production scores

• Play script purchases or musical contracts

• Instrument lease or purchase costs

• Wardrobe or costume costs

• Student fees associated with private lessons, tutoring, or competitions

• Student travel expenses associated with band, choir, or theatre performances and trips

2026 - 2027 Grant Recipients

October 2026 — The Anthony Penna Charitable Fund is pleased to announce the 2026-2027 Grant Recipients. We are thrilled to see the creativity of requests this year, funding programs in band, theatre, music, and after-school programs. Congratulations to the following Recipients:

Aldersgate Youth Musical Program: Funding to support this year’s spring musical production of Frozen JR.

Aquinas Academy: Funding to support their growing school-wide theatre program, including Christmas and spring plays, and their new music program.

Archmere Academy: Financial support for select students’ travel expenses for the Stage Band’s annual performance trip, taking place in San Diego this year.

Caravel Academy: Funding toward the purchase of a Marching Baritone to benefit their Marching Band program and other ensembles throughout the year.

Christ the Teacher Catholic School: Funding toward their partnership with Dancing Classrooms for ballroom dance instruction which fosters self esteem, confidence, self-awareness and cooperation in young students.

Holy Angels School: Funding toward their collaborative Drama program with St. John the Beloved School, which provides children from different schools the opportunity to bond and work together.

The Independence School: Funding toward components that will support and enhance confidence for their students performing in theatre, concerts and musicals.

The Mastersingers of Archmere Academy: Funding toward part two of a commissioned original arrangement by American composer Dr. Michael John Trotta, premiering in three parts in December 2026, December 2027, and December 2028.

Padua Academy: Funding to support the royalties and production costs of their 16th annual spring musical, Hadestown.

St. Ann School: Funding to enhance their music and theatre departments through live performances, musical instruments and curriculum resources, and their production of Mary Poppins JR.

St. Anthony of Padua Grade School: Funding for bucket drumming materials to enhance and grow their music program.

Saint Edmond’s Academy: Funding toward titles to enhance their band and choir libraries, and the rights, rental, royalties, materials, and costuming for their Lower Form musical and annual spring musical.

St. Elizabeth School: Funding toward licensing, scripts, costumes, and set design for their fall and spring productions performed by the Cedar Street Players, incorporating whole-school involvement in the productions.

St. John the Beloved School: Funding toward The Lion King JR, supporting the continued growth and participation in their theatre department.

Saint Mark’s High School: Funding toward the royalties and costs pertaining to their spring musical production and Philadelphia Scenic Works workshops.

Sanford School: Funding to support the purchase of instruments and materials for their growing Middle and Upper Form Modern Bands (Rock Band) and Intro to Rock Band elective.

Serviam Girls Academy: Funding to support their growing schoolwide theatre program, now entering its fifth year.

The Tatnall School: Funding toward a series of spring “Master Classes” for Strings and Band students, culminating at the Tatnall Arts Festival.

Ursuline Academy: Funding toward the purchase of electric pianos to expand their new piano instruction class within their music program.

Wilmington Christian School: Funding toward production costs associated with their full-scale school-wide spring musical.

PAST GRANT RECIPIENTS

Aldersgate Youth Musical Program
All Saints Catholic School
Aquinas Academy
Archmere Academy
Boys and Girls Club of Delaware
Caravel Academy
Centreville Layton School
The Choir School of Delaware
Christ the Teacher Catholic School
Greater Newark Boys & Girls Club
Holy Angels School
The Independence School
The Mastersingers of Archmere Academy
Nativity Preparatory School of Wilmington
Padua Academy

Anthony Penna AwardS Celebration 2018

December 2018: Six schools in our local community were the first to receive Grants from the Anthony Penna Charitable Fund: All Saints Catholic School, Archmere Academy, St. Elizabeth School, Tower Hill, Ursuline Academy, and Wilmington Christian School. They performed along with local talents Catherine Enslen, Sarah Rossi, Sydney Kenton and Frankie Frabizzio at our Awards Celebration.

Please consider helping us support these programs and remove the barriers by making a Donation.