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LGBTQ+ Giving Circle Has Awarded More Than $150,000 Since Its Launch

Launched in October 2022, the LGBTQ+ Giving Circle was formed by a group of local volunteers and donors to raise visibility and address the needs of LGBTQ+ communities in Lancaster County. An advisory committee, made up of individuals with diverse lived experiences including vocation, age, race, gender identities and sexualities, was created to guide the overall vision of the giving circle. Through this collective approach to philanthropy, a wide range of projects that directly impact a variety of causes within local LGBTQ+ communities were considered and chosen with great intention. These are the first grants to be awarded by the giving circle. Nine organizations have received between $2,500 and $10,000.

“On behalf of the entire LGBTQ+ Giving Circle advisory committee, we were so impressed by the creative and intersectional initiatives proposed by many of our grantees. We share our appreciation to all our donors, and we are excited to partner with organizations providing support and celebrating the visibility of LGBTQ+ communities across Lancaster County.”

-Todd Snovel, Advisory Committee Member

Giving Circles are one way our community can leverage the power of collaboration to achieve impact through giving and granting. The Lancaster County Community Foundation is honored to partner with the LGBTQ+ Giving Circle as they center the most vulnerable LGBTQ+ communities and provide support for those most affected by systemic injustices such as racism, homophobia, transphobia, and misogyny.

Anyone can support the work of the LGBTQ+ Giving Circle by making a donation.

Learn More About The Projects Being Funded

2024

Eastern PA Trans Equity Project – $12,460
Supportive Services and Empowerment Programs for transgender individuals, including financial assistance, mentoring, and case management.

Girls on the Run of Lancaster and Lebanon – $10,000
10-week programs for girls in grades 3-8, culminating in a celebratory 5K event, with funding for curriculum updates and training.

Lancaster Pride Association – $25,000
Supports the 16th Annual Festival, promoting visibility, acceptance, and equality through performances, vendors, and workshops.

Lancaster Public Library – $15,000
The Rainbow Visibility project enhances LGBTQ+ resources and programming for an inclusive environment.

Lititz Chooses Love – $25,000
Capacity-building efforts, including expanding areas, creating a rapid response fund, and launching an inclusion institute.

Touchstone Foundation – $12,540
Healing Circles and Group Therapy for leaders of Community Benefit Organizations serving LGBTQ+ and BIPOC populations, addressing mental wellness.

2023

Adoptions From The Heart – Lancaster – $3,000
Adopting a Baby as an LGBTQ+ Family

Eastern PA Trans Equity Project – $10,000
Empowerment Programs for Transgender Individuals in Lancaster County

Ephrata Performing Arts Center – $9,000
Queer Voices Staged Reading Festival

Lancaster General Health – $2,800
Sexual Health Service Expansion

Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition – $2,500
Infrastructure and Capacity Building Consultation

LGBT Center of Greater Reading – $7,500
Rivertown Pride Center in Columbia, PA: Service Provision

LGBT Community Center Coalition of Central PA – $7,500
Common Roads: Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Lancaster

Demuth Foundation – $7,500
Demuth Museum Reinterpretation Plan Inclusive of LGBTQ+ Themes