Lancaster Thrives Together grants will support upstream solutions designed to address the root causes of poverty and the diverse needs of both unemployed and ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) populations, to help level the economic playing field among the neighbors, while promoting long-term self-sufficiency.
Donor Name: Lancaster County Community Foundation
State: Pennsylvania
County: Lancaster County (PA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/18/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Lancaster Thrives Together is a $375,000 competitive opportunity for community benefit organizations (CBOs) serving Lancaster County, PA residents. These organizations will provide innovative services helping individuals and families achieve economic stability. Preference will be given to projects that promote economic stability in underserved communities, recognizing the disproportionate challenges these communities face.
Knowing it will take a holistic approach to ensure the most vulnerable striving neighbors thrive, they will accept applications for initiatives demonstrating leadership, systems change, and innovation across a range of service areas, including, but not limited to:
- Financial literacy
- Adult education, skills development, and job training and placement.
- Housing assistance and homelessness prevention.
- Access to healthcare, including mental health and substance abuse services.
- Childcare and early education
- Legal services
- Supportive services for incarcerated/formerly incarcerated individuals.
- Supportive services for refugees and immigrants.
Funding Information
Grants range from $10,000 – $50,000.
Grant Period
September 19, 2025 – September 19, 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicant organization must:
- Serve Lancaster County residents without discrimination.
- Have current 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS.
- Be registered with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations unless otherwise exempt per the Institutions of Purely Public Charity Act.
- Complete IRS Form 990 annually.
- Have an annual audit or a financial review by an independent CPA within the last 12 months.
- Be in good standing with all existing awards and contracts with the Lancaster County Community Foundation.
- Provide organizational Non-Discrimination Policy meeting all federal requirements as it applies to your type of organization.
- Be aware of the Community Foundation’s Anti-Hate Policy.
Evaluation Criteria
Community grant reviewers will use the following questions to evaluate and score applications:
- Vision – To what extent does the application demonstrate a vision for change in the community?
- Plan – To what extent does the plan inspire confidence the organization will achieve its intended results?
- Spending – To what extent does the proposed use of funds put community resources to the best and highest use to serve residents? Please keep in mind that some overhead expenses may be necessary to run a successful program.
- Innovation – To what extent does the application demonstrate new thinking needed to be effective in the long-term?
- Underserved Communities – To what extent is the organization committed to creating a level economic playing field for all residents, and have they considered the Lancaster Equity Profile?
For more information, visit LCCF.
