
Connor Barwin shakes hands with the PA National Guard.
(Photo by Flickr user Pennsylvania National Guard, used under a Creative Commons license)
Philadelphia loves NFL defensive end Connor Barwin.
Even Philadelphians who don’t watch football or, worse, don’t like the Eagles. They love him because he’s active in the community, which is another way of saying he raises a lot of money for things like parks and playgrounds.
Barwin was released today after four seasons with the Birds. He posted this on Instagram:
Barwin has been more or less the celebrity face of doing good in Philadelphia in recent years, mostly through his Make The World Better Foundation, which he says will continue in his absence.
The impact community is already reacting.
Thank you @ConnorBarwin98. Your commitment to community service and sustainability is an inspiration. Full statement https://t.co/OBbMUCsmuc pic.twitter.com/A0GtkGormx
— NRG Home (@picknrg) March 9, 2017
Barwin’s release means Philadelphians who feel the need to put a celebrity face on local giving will have to wait for the next professional athlete to step up — or prop up existing celebrities who are not only from Philadelphia, but are more representative of the communities they’re giving back to.
-30-From our Partners
Community-Centered Innovation for a Well City
We’re innovative changemakers. Why shouldn’t we fundraise the same way?
Will philanthropy commit to racial equity progress?
Generocity Philly
Meet Kim Andrews, new executive director for The Fund for Women and Girls

Youth Sentencing & Reentry Project (YSRP)
Director of Development and Communications
Apply NowWe didn’t win Philanthropitch last year, but the journey was worth it
A strong school district = stronger communities
New survey: Black, Latinx and Asian American donors give more to social and racial justice causes
Generocity Philly
Be the leader to bring a 26-year mission into the future in Chester County
Young Audiences NJ and Eastern PA
Arts Education Administrator (Hybrid)
Apply Now
Regional Housing Legal Services
Staff Attorney, Housing Development Legal Services
Apply Now
More Information