OVERVIEW: The Lancaster County Community Foundation supports community development, environment, capacity building, leadership, historical preservation, education, human services, the arts and early child development in Pennsylvania.
FUNDING AREAS: Community development, environment, capacity building, leadership, historical preservation, education, human services, the arts, early child development
IP TAKE: Plan to attend one of LCCF’s grant workshops to learn more about this funder and introduce an organization’s work.
PROFILE: Established in 1924, the Lancaster County Community Foundation (LCCF) is a community foundation based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The foundation’s history dates back to 1918, when a local attorney named Martin Harnish was inspired by the Cleveland Foundation and began gathering community support to create what was initially called the Lancaster Community Trust. The foundation is committed to making long-term impact in Lancaster County and values innovation, relationships, inclusion, integrity and fearlessness. LCCF funds local efforts for community development, environment, capacity building, leadership, historical preservation, education, human services, the arts and early child development.
The Lancaster County Community Foundation offers multiple grant opportunities, including Big Idea Grants for emboldening strategies, CBO Fuel Grants for community benefit organizations and Passion Grants for a broad range of focus areas. LCCF provides program/project support and also general operating support. However, it does not typically fund individual schools, the creation of new organizations, capital campaigns, cemetery associations or political or religious causes. In addition to grants, LCCF also awards scholarships for local students.
Grants range between about $5,000 and $100,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving on the financial information page of the funder’s website. Grantmaking focuses on Lancaster County in Pennsylvania. Past local grantees include Ephrata Area Social Services, the Fulton Opera House Foundation and Girls on the Run of Lancaster.
This foundation accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry from nonprofits and uses an online grant application portal. The LCCF staff approves selected LOIs and invites applications to then submit full applications. The first cycle letter of inquiry deadline of the year is typically in May, and the second cycle deadline in July. Direct general questions to the staff at 717-397-1629 or via online form.
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