Evolution of the Ah-Ha Project:  A Timeline  

Spring 2010               Research: Environmental Scan

Using Lancaster 2020, the United Way Community Needs Assessment, and our own marketing survey, the Community Foundation identified youth programs, education, healthcare and innovation as the key elements for the future success of Lancaster County.  

Summer 2010                        Community Engagement: Innovation Dialogue

Next the Community Foundation engaged local leaders and more than 100 community members representing diverse professional, geographic and ethnographic backgrounds on the potential of “innovation” as the next tipping point for the county.  

Fall 2010                     Testing the framework: Community Leadership

Out of the Innovation Dialogues, the Community Foundation shaped a framework for how it could approach innovation as the next area of opportunity. This framework was tested with community leaders and tweaked based on conversations. 

Winter 2010                Giving it Legs: Investment Strategy 

With the framework in place, Community Foundation staff developed specific initiative strategies that would support creative solutions by providing leadership, connecting people and ideas, and investments in nonprofits. 

January 2010             The Name :  the Ah-Ha Project!

Recognizing that the word “innovation,” led to multiple definitions and interpretations, Foundation staff worked with creative professionals to develop a more effective and easy-to-understand message. The Ah-Ha Project:  Creative Solutions to Real Problems. 

Winter 2011                Approval by Community Foundation Board

The new area of opportunity, “Ah-HA Project! Creative Solutions to Real Problems,” was approved by the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors.  The Board committed to this focus for a 5 to 10 year period of time. 

February 2011           Ah-Ha Grant Informational Meetings

More than 250 nonprofit organizations attended our informational meeting to learn about the Ah-Ha Project! Creative Solutions to Real Problems and criteria to apply for 2011 Ah-Ha grant dollars.  

Summer 2011                Ah-Ha Grant Conversations

Foundation staff offered fund specific meetings, in-person meetings and online Q&A about Ah-Ha grant opportunities. Staff also met with more than 50 organizations to discuss specific ideas, programs, questions and possibilities for grant applications. 

Fall 2011                      Ah-Ha Volunteer Training & Grant Review

Community Foundation staff trained more than 80 volunteers to review grant proposals.  

November 17, 2011                     First Round of Ah-Ha Grant Investments AnnouncedCommunity Foundation announced $973,455 in grant investments to 26 nonprofit organizations in Lancaster County.