$375,500 in Lancaster Thrives Together Grants Awarded to 11 Local Organizations

We are proud to introduce the first awardees of Lancaster Thrives Together, a new competitive grant program for community benefit organizations (CBOs) serving Lancaster County residents. Eleven local organizations have been awarded a total of $375,500 in grants to support innovative services helping individuals and families achieve economic stability.

With the help of 40 volunteer grant reviewers from throughout Lancaster County, the program funds a variety of initiatives that provide upstream solutions to address the root causes of poverty and meet the diverse needs of both unemployed and ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) populations. Funded categories include efforts that address addiction and incarceration, hunger and poverty, housing, childcare and education, mental and physical health, and workforce development.

Local data underscores the need: the Lancaster County Equity Profile shows a 10% poverty rate, while UnitedforAlice.org reports that 27% of residents struggle to afford the increasing cost of living.

“We have seen it ourselves, and heard from our neighbors throughout the county, that many in our community are being affected by economic hardship,” said Dave Koser, Programs Director. “This is why we’ve shifted more of our impact budget in 2025 to support innovative, upstream ideas that help individuals and families achieve economic stability. We look forward to partnering with these extraordinary organizations to create impact.”

Every year, the community’s endowment yields millions of dollars in grants to local organizations, transforming funding into tangible impact and improving quality of life across our region. Lancaster Thrives Together grants range from $10,000 to $50,000, continuing the Foundation’s commitment to building a vibrant Lancaster County where everyone can thrive.

Below are the grantees and project descriptions:

Addiction & Incarceration

• ASSETS – $50,000
  Partnering with Lancaster-Lebanon IU13, CareerLink, and SCORE mentors, ASSETS will offer business and entrepreneurship training, post-release coaching, and potential micro-grants to inmates of Lancaster County Prison.

• Lancaster Bail Fund – $20,000
  Addresses systemic inequities in the criminal justice system by posting bail for justice-impacted neighbors who cannot afford pretrial release, focusing on reducing racial disparities.

Hunger & Poverty

• Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County – $50,000
  Through a partnership with Union Community Care, the Rolling Roots Mobile Market will bring affordable, locally grown produce to underserved communities.

• Lancaster County Food Hub – $20,000
  Expands the Street Outreach Program, connecting neighbors to supportive services and strengthening relationships among providers.

Housing

• Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity – $25,000
  Supports construction of an 11,000-square-foot, 3-story infill development creating eight affordable housing units for low-to-moderate income families.

• United Way of Lancaster County – $40,000
  Strengthens 2-1-1 staffing, training, and programs to improve access to critical housing, health and employment services through bilingual support and local partnerships.

Childcare & Education

• Lancaster Recreation Commission – $23,000
  In partnership with Lancaster Science Factory, provides culturally responsive STEM education to improve school readiness and long-term academic potential for underserved children.

• The Literacy Council of Lancaster-Lebanon – $37,500
  Develops asynchronous online adult education classes, upgrading technology, staff training, and curriculum.

Mental & Physical Health

• Union Community Care – $50,000
  Advances health equity for Lancaster’s diverse refugee population with culturally responsive care, telehealth expansion, and enhanced electronic health records.

Workforce Development

• Immigreat Lancaster – $10,000
  Helps the Swahili-speaking refugee community find meaningful employment aligned with their skills, reducing generational poverty and boosting local economic growth.

• Lancaster-Lebanon Education Foundation – $50,000
  Offers multilingual, personalized career coaching for immigrants and refugees through IU13’s Community Education program.