Grant Programs

The Community Impact Grant is our broadest and most competitive program, funding community-based organizations that deliver direct services in education, workforce development, health, or neighborhood improvement within Lancaster County. This program prioritizes initiatives that demonstrate measurable outcomes, community collaboration, and sustainable operating models beyond the grant period.

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public school districts, and formally constituted civic associations with a minimum two-year operating history. Projects must serve Lancaster County residents directly and include quantifiable impact metrics. A fiscal sponsor arrangement is available for grassroots organizations that have not yet received tax-exempt determination.

Application Requirements

• Completed online application form with project narrative (maximum 3,000 words)
• Detailed line-item budget with narrative justification for each category
• IRS determination letter or fiscal sponsor agreement
• Most recent audited financial statements or Form 990
• Board of directors list with affiliations
• Two letters of support from community partners or stakeholders
• Logic model or theory of change diagram

Applications are reviewed by our seven-member Grants Committee over a 90-day period. Applicants may be invited for a 30-minute site visit or presentation. Award notifications are issued by August 1, with funds disbursed within 30 days of executing the grant agreement.

The Neighborhood Revitalization Partnership provides capital improvement grants for physical infrastructure projects that strengthen the built environment of Lancaster County communities. This program requires dollar-for-dollar matching from municipal government, private donors, or other philanthropic sources, effectively doubling the impact of every foundation dollar invested.

Eligible projects include community center renovations, public space enhancements (parks, plazas, greenways), affordable housing rehabilitation, commercial corridor beautification, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and ADA compliance upgrades to public facilities. All projects must comply with local zoning, building codes, and historic preservation ordinances where applicable.

Since its inception in 2003, this program has invested $5.2 million in 67 capital projects across 28 municipalities, leveraging an additional $7.8 million in matching funds for a combined community investment of $13 million. Notable recent projects include the renovation of Musser Park's community pavilion, the Southeast Lancaster streetscape improvement corridor, and the Lititz Springs Park accessibility upgrades.

Eligible Applicants

• 501(c)(3) nonprofits with demonstrated capacity for capital project management
• Municipal governments and authorities within Lancaster County
• Civic associations and neighborhood groups with fiscal sponsors
• Historic preservation organizations registered with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

The Workforce Readiness Initiative funds organizations that provide vocational training, career pathway development, and employment support services to underemployed and underserved populations in Lancaster County and adjacent communities. This program recognizes that economic mobility requires both skills acquisition and wraparound support including childcare, transportation, and language services.

Priority is given to programs that serve populations with significant barriers to employment, including individuals transitioning from incarceration, recently resettled refugees and immigrants, adults without high school diplomas, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. Programs must lead to industry-recognized credentials, certifications, or measurable skills attainment.

Since 2008, the Workforce Readiness Initiative has supported over 2,100 individuals in gaining certifications in healthcare (CNA, phlebotomy, medical coding), advanced manufacturing (CNC operation, welding, quality control), information technology (CompTIA A+, Network+, cybersecurity fundamentals), and skilled trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC). Partner organizations include Lancaster County Career and Technology Center, the Literacy Council of Lancaster-Lebanon, and ASSETS Lancaster.

The Arts and Culture Micro-Grant program provides nimble, low-barrier funding for community arts events, cultural festivals, public art installations, heritage documentation projects, and creative placemaking initiatives throughout Lancaster County. This program was designed to be accessible to individual artists, informal collectives, and small organizations that may lack the capacity for complex grant applications.

Applications are reviewed monthly by a rotating panel of three Foundation board members and two community arts advisors. The simplified application requires a one-page project description, a basic budget, and documentation of community engagement or public benefit. No IRS determination letter is required for individual applicants or informal groups, though a fiscal sponsor is required for awards exceeding $2,500.

Since its launch in 2001, this program has funded over 340 projects ranging from neighborhood mural installations and oral history recordings to outdoor concert series and youth arts workshops. The program has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts as a model for accessible, community-responsive arts philanthropy.

The Emergency Community Response Fund provides rapid-deployment grants for disaster relief, emergency shelter support, food security crises, and urgent community needs that fall outside standard grant cycles. This fund is activated by the Executive Director in consultation with the Board Chair when a verified community emergency is identified through municipal emergency management, the United Way of Lancaster County, or credible media reporting.

Eligible applicants include established nonprofit organizations and municipal agencies actively engaged in emergency response operations within Lancaster County. Funds may be used for direct service delivery, emergency supplies, temporary shelter operations, utility assistance for affected households, and immediate infrastructure stabilization. All grants require a brief post-expenditure report within 60 days of disbursement.

The fund has been activated 14 times since its establishment in 2005, most recently in response to the August 2024 flash flooding along the Conestoga River that displaced 120 families in East Lampeter Township. Total emergency disbursements since inception exceed $680,000, providing critical bridge funding while federal and state disaster recovery resources are mobilized.