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Grants and Scholarships

We know that Community Benefit Organizations (CBOs)  have unparalleled knowledge and experience working with Lancaster residents and addressing the needs of our community. Your work inspires us and brings essential support to residents across our community. Rooted in our organizational philosophy and values, the Community Foundation remains committed to cultivating a culture of equitable and inclusive opportunities in Lancaster County and we hope to partner with you.

2025-2026 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

 

Eligibility Requirements & Resources

Before starting an application for any grant, review our eligibility requirements for funding. You can also access resources to help you meet our requirements.

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Grant Portal

Apply to new grants and awards or manage any of your current grant programs.

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Info Sessions and Office Hours

Sign up for upcoming grant information sessions and view hour Zoom office hours for Passion Grants and Shaping Tomorrow Awards.

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grant guide shaping tom

SHAPING TOMORROW AWARDS

To celebrate 100 years of impact, we want to catalyze ideas that will inspire our community to change the next 100! Through the Shaping Tomorrow Awards, we will invest more than $1 Million into Lancaster County.  Whether your ideas are big dreams or small steps, we want to support the very best projects that focus on 4 broad categories: Creative Expression, Well-Being and Vibrancy, Our Planet, and Next Generation.

Q1 Awards

Closed.

 

Creative Expression

Recognizing the arts contribute to healthy communities and local economies, we also know talented folks can educate, inspire, and bring about lasting change. We will support projects related to visual arts, performing arts, music, dance, poetry, spoken word, and film that promote diverse voices, cultural understanding, community murals and artistic innovation.
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Well-Being & Vibrancy

How might we put Lancaster County on the map as a place where people are physically, mentally, and financially healthy? We will support projects focused on mental health, healthcare access, nutrition, physical activity, elder care, and financial health.
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Q3 Awards

Closed.

 

Next Generation

We need to embolden and invest in the next generation of children and young adults, providing them with immense opportunities to lead. We are excited to support projects in education, skill development, and leadership development. Specific examples could include mentorship programs, scholarships, and social entrepreneurship training.
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Our Planet

Additionally, Lancaster County faces many unique environmental challenges simultaneously: our air quality is poor, our waterways are notorious for polluting the Chesapeake Bay, our tree cover is sparse, we need to save the bits of natural land that remain, and the unpredictability of our future climate threatens our agriculture. We are looking for the best ideas focused on things like land conservation, renewable energy, adaptation to climate change, biodiversity, and environmental education.
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GRANT OPPORTUNITIES:

Passion Grants

Due Dates

Application drafts for staff feedback: April 19

Letter of Intent: May 10

Final application: May 17

Passion Grants

These grants improve our county in a number of ways, through supporting programming in a broad range of focus areas.
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John J. Snyder Fund

The John J. Snyder, Jr. Fund for Historic Preservation is a distinct fund of our Passion Grants. It provides for the restoration, maintenance, and repair of historical structures in Lancaster and Cumberland counties.
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Rolling

For this program, applications will be accepted at any time until December 2, 2024, or until available funding is exhausted.

 

Partnership Program

Supports organizations in the process of forming a merger.
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Partnership Grants

Partnership grants each have their own application process and deadlines.

The Clean Water Fund

This fund will enable local partners to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of those projects using technology, cultural sensitivity, and science-based practices that will get our streams to clean and clear in a generation. 
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Lancaster Equity Grant

The Equity Council will award five grants of up to $5,000 to deserving community members working to create meaningful change. This is your chance to unleash your creativity and showcase your unique perspective. With this grant, you’ll have the support and resources to realize your vision and create a more just and inclusive Lancaster County.  
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LGBTQ+ Giving Circle

The LGBTQ+ Giving Circle will provide grants to CBOs working to raise visibility and address the needs of LGBTQ+ communities within Lancaster County. Priority will be given to proposals that center the most vulnerable LGBTQ+ communities and provide support for those most affected by systemic injustices such as racism, homophobia, transphobia, and misogyny.
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Partnership Grants

Partnership grants each have their own application process and deadlines.

2024 ROC Giving Circle Grant

The Reimagining Our Community (ROC) Giving Circle is a way for the community to support BIPOC small business through collective philanthropy. The Giving Circle is managed by the ROC Cohort. Its purpose is to facilitate funding to initiatives that support BIPOC-owned small businesses. Funds will be awarded to existing 501c3 non-profit organizations that have or wish to develop programming, services, or products to support the development and sustainability of BIPOC-owned small businesses in Lancaster County. The goal is that these funds will bridge gaps within existing resources to ensure that services are equitable in access, participation, and implementation
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Aastha Horizons Grant

The Aastha Horizons Grant seeks to support organizations dedicated to enhancing Lancaster County. Applications from initiatives addressing a wide range of topics, including but not limited to education, healthcare, social services, environmental conservation, arts and culture, community development, and youth empowerment are welcome. This grant will provide resources to projects that demonstrate a commitment to making a positive impact in our community, whether by addressing immediate needs or fostering long-term sustainability
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We will temporarily pause new grantmaking with our Cultivating Beloved Community and Community Bridge Builders programs, so we can focus our team’s time and energy into Shaping Tomorrow Awards.  We will continue to support previous cohorts throughout 2024, but we will not offer new grants through these programs this year.

Scholarships

Our scholarships connect generous donors with enterprising students. We offer both general scholarships and school-specific scholarships.

Scholarship applications for the 2025-2026 school year are now open!

General Scholarships

Scholarship applications for the 2025-2026 school year are now open!
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School-Specific Scholarships

Click for details on which schools offer scholarship opportunities.
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Community Resources and Scholarships

In an effort to expand our resources for students, we have compiled a list of community resources and scholarships available for Lancaster County students. Browse the list to see if one of these programs might be right for you.
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More ways to expand impact

The Community Foundation is committed to supporting our community benefit sector through more than just grant dollars. We’re proud to provide opportunities for continued development and long-term sustainability.

CBO Capacity Building Resources

Workshops, resources, and roundtables that will equip your organization for success!

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CBO Sustainability

Build a sustainable source of income for your organization forever.

Learn more

Want to talk?

We’re here! Send us an email. 

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