Equity Fund – Fondo de Equidad
Recognizing the resiliency, tenacity and talent within Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities; and understanding the deep inequities both in community and within philanthropy; Xavier Garcia-Molina created the Equity Fund and Equity Council in partnership with the Lancaster County Community Foundation.
Co-chairs Xavier Garcia-Molina and Kareena Rios, as well as Founding members Christopher Aviles, Julia Cao, LaRock Hudson, and Norma Vazquez will create a process that will directly inform where and how the dollars from this fund will make the most equitable impact in our community. The Equity Fund will launch with a $100,000 investment from the Community Foundation. Meet the Equity Council.
“We recognize that Lancaster County residents who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) have been historically and systemically marginalized in a multitude of ways: higher rates of poverty, inequity in educational systems, higher incarceration rates, prevailing job discrimination, inequitable assess to quality and affordable housing, among many other unfavorable conditions.
We continue our own internal and organizational learning about this systemic reality. We aim to remove barriers and provide new, unique opportunities to embolden residents to create positive change.” – Community Foundation
Lancaster Equity Grant
As the first investment from the Equity Fund, the Equity Council will select at least five community members to award a grant of up to $5,000.
A grant opportunity for Black, Brown, Indigenous and Immigrant People of Color who want to provide/create programs designed to impact change in our community with a focus on accessibility and racial equity.
At least five grants of up to $5,000
Lancaster Equity Grant Virtual Information Session
If you have any questions, contact Equity Council at [email protected]

Application Timeline
• January 14: Application opens
Applicants have the option of either submitting a written online application, or scheduling an interview with the Equity Council to answer the application questions.
• February 24: Final applications due at 11:59 pm
• March 29: Award notification (yes or no) by 5 pm
Grant Timeline & Reporting
• Funding Period: March 29, 2022 – September 29, 2022
• Grant Overview: April 9, June 11
• Completion Report: Due August 31, 2022 by 11:59 pm
Evaluation Criteria
• Commitment to Racial Equity – Does the program and person demonstrate a commitment to promoting racial equity?
• Challenges – Has the applicant described current challenges regarding equity and inclusion? Is the program intentional with identifying examples of those challenges?
• Vision and Desire – Does the applicant clearly describe their desire and vision with respect to accessibility and racial equity?
• Goals and Results – Does the application clearly articulate the programs desired racial equity goals and results? How will you measure the success of your program?
• Impact – If chosen, how will the program participants be immediately impacted? How will completing this project impact your future work and/or the community long term?