Skip to content

Community Funds

The Community Foundation gives you a way to put your passions into action. We connect you to a wide spectrum of local community benefit organizations and help you make a long-term impact on the issues that matter to you. Learn more about Forever Lancaster, browse our community funds below, or get inspired by local stories of giving.

Donor Advised Funds

Gifts build on the very personal mission set out by the donors who created the fund. The establishing donors remain involved in recommending grants to the organizations they choose.

The High Foundation Fund

The High Foundation Fund was established in 2021 with a gift of $65 million. It is the largest donor advised fund (DAF) ever established at the Community Foundation. The fund will continue to build and amplify the philanthropic and community legacy of S. Dale High and the High Family and inspire others to consider how they are investing in our shared future.

Anne & Robert Bowman Family Fund

The Anne and Robert Bowman Family Fund supports our community in many ways that improve quality of life.

Chip & Rebecca Cargas Fund

This fund works with and provides grants to community benefit organizations that work to improve income equity and wealth equity.

Dr. Rita Smith-Wade-El Legacy Fund

Honoring Rita Smith-Wade-El’s legacy of tireless advocacy on behalf of the African American community, this fund exists to support the creation and advancement of arts and education focused on people of African descent.

Drops of Hope Fund

The Drops of Hope fund carries on the legacy of an unborn child by providing memorial plaques and other meaningful “drops of hope” to families.

DWM Opportunity Fund

This fund assists economically disadvantaged individuals to attend technical schools and to start and/or grow businesses. 

Farzin Charitable Fund of Pennsylvania

The Herr Charitable Family Fund

The Herr Family Fund supports our community in a variety of ways to enhance quality of life.

Josh Druce and Kate Zimmerman Fund

The Josh Druce and Kate Zimmerman Fund will be used to intentionally and impactfully support community benefit organizations that are close to our hearts including those addressing housing issues, mental health, and recovery.

The Kennedy Family Fund

The Kennedy Family Fund will be used to support organizations whose mission’s align with the Kennedy Family’s passions including (but not limited to) helping local children through education and other positive, developmental experiences.

The Koser Family Fund

This fund helps support the physical and emotional needs of vulnerable children.

Lancaster South Rotary Fund

This fund supports community activities that foster educational opportunities, leadership training, and athletics for youth from Southern Lancaster County.

Mayor J. Richard and Gail Gray Fund

Join the Executive Staff of Mayor Gray’s Administration in celebrating Mayor Rick and Gail Gray’s legacy of arts and arts advocacy. This fund will support the sustainability of the arts in Lancaster by exploring and promoting the nature, value and significance of arts in and for our community.

The Next 50 (Fifty) Years Fund

The goal of this fund is to make each child feel valued and to give children a learning foundation.

Polite Family Community Association

Your support helps mentor, coach, and foster community service and education for generations.

The Troy D. McIlwaine Memorial Fund

This fund celebrates Troy’s life by providing education and support for individuals and families around issues of depression.

Sharon Sherban Family Fund for Women and Girls

Established for the purpose of supporting women and girls in need of food, shelter, education, healthcare, and counseling.

Residents of Moravian Manor Communities Education Award

The Residents of Moravian Manor Communities Education Award was established to provide an annual award to a graduating senior from Warwick High School.

Joe Kirkenir Fund for Health, Hope, and Love

Jeff’s Kids Fund

Jeff’s Kids Fund will support Lampeter-Strasburg student activities like the middle school Cape Henlopen trip and the high school Ski and Snowboard Club, fulfilling Jeff’s goal of making life changing experiences accessible to all kids.
Welsh Mountain medical visit- two women standing against barn

Organizational Endowment Funds

Your gift provides a continuous source of revenue and operating security to ensure local community benefit organizations can impact Lancaster County long into the future.

Attollo: Children Deserve A Chance Fund

Attollo, meaning “Rise-Up” in Latin, is a rigorous college access/leadership program targeting students around Lancaster County.

Ben’s Golden Vision Fund

Support the Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue in its mission to provide for the continuing needs of surrendered Golden Retrievers.

Bethel AME Capital Campaign Flex Fund

Since its beginnings in Lancaster in 1817, Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church has been a beacon of hope and refuge, sharing the love of Jesus Christ.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Endowment

Give at-risk children strong and enduring professionally-supported one-on-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.

Camp Conquest Endowment: Bob Kern Memorial

Help provide scholarships for children and teens to experience positive life change in the camp setting.

CASA of Lancaster County Endowment Fund

The CASA of Lancaster County Endowment Fund exists to provide perpetual support through volunteer advocacy for children who have been abused and neglected. CASA believes that every child deserves to grow up in a home free of abuse and neglect, and that growing up in a safe home is a basic human right.

Christ’s Home Children’s Services Fund

The Christ’s Home Endowment Fund supports the safe haven that we provide for children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or severe neglect. We maintain a family style environment where children’s physical, emotional, educational and social needs are lovingly met.

Clare House Endowment Fund

The Clare House Endowment Fund will be used to provide the resources necessary to continue shelter programs and services for homeless women and children in Lancaster County.

Compass Mark Community Strength Fund

This fund supports Compass Mark in developing valuable skills in children and adults: decision-making, communication, critical thinking, problem solving and more. Compass Mark meets people at any mark on their compass and guides them to where they need to be.

Eastern Lancaster County Library Endowment Fund

This fund provides a stable source of long-term funding to ensure the library is able to fulfill its mission to provide free access to information, education, technology, services, and entertainment to facilitate an informed society.

Elizabethtown Educational Initiative for Innovative Learning

This fund will provide for innovative learning within the Elizabethtown school community with emphasis on, but not limited to, promoting literacy while impacting student learning and enhancing the overall educational experience of the students. The learning initiatives should be proposed by teachers and should help to advance the excellence of the school district’s instructional program with the incorporation of technology, creativity or hands-on involvement.

First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster Endowment Fund

This fund provides perpetual support for the mission and ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster, PA.

Friends of the Railroad Museum of PA Endowment Fund

This fund is to support the world-class Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania as a museum and an educational resource for the public. Support includes research, preservation of artifacts, education, interpretation and development of the museum staff and site operations.

Fulton Theatre Fund

Established in recognition of the Fulton’s 150+ years of services as our community’s artistic home, the Fulton Theatre Fund helps to maintain and preserve this National Historic Landmark Theatre. Fund contributions ensure that the Fulton continues to serve as our community’s meeting place and annually benefit more than 130,000 individuals who look to the theatre as a source of entertainment, education and enrichment

Gail Stump Endowment for Meals on Wheels

This fund provides the opportunity for individuals to contribute legacy gifts to Meals on Wheels of Lancaster in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program, as well as funds to help underwrite the cost of food for those who cannot afford to pay for the service.

The Gate House Endowment Fund

The Gate House Endowment Fund will support our critical work helping men and women with severe addictions return to productive lives in recovery.

Girls on the Run Endowment Fund

Girls on the Run (GOTR) of Lancaster inspires girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrated running.

Gretna Music Fund

Music at Gretna presents world-class artists in programs designed to delight and educate audiences in beautiful Central Pennsylvania settings. We exist to serve the music and enrich the lives of all who listen, encouraging further arts engagement, facilitating encounters with accomplished performers and preserving the tradition of live performing arts.

Habitat Flex Fund

Contributions made to this fund will help Habitat acquire properties for new construction or renovation, purchase building supplies, grow our construction team, and expand our volunteer program.

Hempfield United Methodist Church Fund

This fund will support ministry, mission work, education, outreach or any and all work that helps the organization to “know Jesus and make him known.”

Humane League of Lancaster Fund

Humane League of Lancaster Fund will help to ensure our mission of protecting and sheltering pets; placing pets in permanent adoptive homes and preventing pet overpopulation. Through this mission the League seeks to create a community where all pets are protected and wanted.

Junior Achievement of Central PA Endowment Fund

Junior Achievement’s mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. Junior Achievement teaches the key pillars of economic success: Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship, and Work Readiness. Junior Achievement partners with members of the business community to teach young people lessons in personal finance, business, and the world of work. Together, we are inspiring young people to build a better future for themselves and their community.

Junior League of Lancaster Endowment Fund

This fund was created to provide a dependable source of income in support of the objectives of the Junior League of Lancaster and the League’s commitment to the community.

Lancaster Area Habitat for Humanity Endowment Fund

Fund established for the benefit of Lancaster Area Habitat for Humanity in service of its mission to build homes, communities, and hope.

Lancaster Bar Association Endowment Fund

This fund assists the Lancaster Bar Association Foundation in fulfilling its mission to improve the lives of Lancaster County residents by promoting equal access to justice through philanthropy, education and service.

Lancaster Building Industry Foundation Fund

To provide, by means of charitable giving, community based opportunities, education, and service related to the building industry.

Lancaster County Career &Technology Foundation Endowment Fund

This endowment fund was established by the Lancaster County Career & Technology Foundation as a new initiative to expand the support of Lancaster County Career & Technology Center (LCCTC) students. The fund provides scholarships to qualified high school and adult students to help them advance their careers through post-secondary education. It also provides needed financial assistance to current students of the LCCTC.

Lancaster County Conservancy Endowment

This fund supports the conservation efforts of the Lancaster County Conservancy in perpetuity. The Conservancy works to save and steward the ecosystems and landscapes upon which we depend for food, clean water and air, economic and public health, and the restoration of soul and spirit.

Lancaster County Food Hub

Since 1947, the Lancaster County Food Hub (LCFH), formerly the Lancaster County Council of Churches, has served the most needy and marginalized members of our society as well as the working poor struggling to make ends meet.

Lancaster Public Library Fund

This fund supports the mission of the Lancaster Public Library by providing a place for county residents to obtain access to books, materials, internet, technological resources, meeting space, reference services, programming and many other services.

Lancaster Rec Foundation Fund

Lancaster YMCA Foundation Fund

The Lancaster YMCA Foundation exists to provide and serve as stewards for a permanent endowment to preserve the mission and services of the Lancaster Family YMCA. The Foundation supports current YMCA programs and is creating a legacy to ensure that the Lancaster Family YMCA will continue to build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities.

Landis Valley Museum Fund

Contributions will support the living history village and farm of Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum.

Lititz Rec Center Endowment Fund

This fund will support Lititz Rec Center in creating programs to benefit youth in our growing community; to provide access to local, safe and healthy programs for families with limited financial capacity; and to secure funds for responsible reinvestment in a facility that will serve generations to come.

The Manheim Township Public Library Foundation

Manheim Township Public Library Foundation supports the mission of the Manheim Township Public Library by providing the resources that will help house and deliver programs, services and materials that inform, educate and inspire the residents of Manheim Township.

Mental Health America Endowment Fund

This fund will be used to support the education and advocacy programs of MHALC, a volunteer-driven agency dedicated to improving the lives of persons with mental and emotional illnesses, working to prevent these illnesses and promoting mental well-being for all through support, friendship matches, peer advocate & educational services.

Milagro House

Funds in the Milagro House Education Endowment will be used exclusively to further the education of the residents of Milagro House. This may include but not be limited to purchasing books and other teaching supplies for the on-site GED and enrichment program, GED test fees, scholarships for qualified residents to attend post-secondary programs, certification or registration fees for educational testing, teacher salary, and cost for driving instruction.

New Holland Band Foundation Fund

This fund is used for preserving live music performances by the New Holland Band. The funds will be used to supplement or pay the cost of live music concerts for the cultural and educational benefit of our community.

North Museum Heritage Fund

This fund is for the general operational support of the North Museum of Natural History & Science. The North Museum is a resource to the community, preserving and protecting over 360,000 objects and artifacts that focus on the natural heritage of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Occupational Development Center Fund

This fund supports the Occupational Developmental Center, which provides high-quality and cost-effective nonprofit vocational training and employment opportunities for Lancaster County adults with developmental disabilities.

Parish Resource Center Church Renewal Initiative

The proceeds of this fund will be used to support programs that encourage innovation in the Lancaster church community.

Pennsylvania Farm Link Endowment Fund

This fund supports the charitable and educational purposes of the PA Farm Link, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the mission of creating farming opportunities for the next generation.

Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen

This fund provides ongoing support and stability toward educational and arts enrichment programming. The Guild’s Three Tier Craft Education program features ongoing workshops and other opportunities for emerging artists, established professionals and the craft collector or enthusiast who loves and supports their fine work.

Philhaven Endowment Fund

This fund helps to sustain Philhaven’s ability to provide behavioral healthcare resources in the communities it serves. These resources include services to clients who cannot otherwise afford them, prevention and educational resources for clients and the general public, start-up funds for new initiatives, and staffing or materials that add value to current services and resources.

Lancaster Conservancy Ralph H Goodno Riverlands Fund

This fund from the Lancaster Conservancy provides revenue to protect, operate, maintain, improve and promote the property and other lands and facilities managed as part of the Conservation Landscape Plan along the Lower Susquehanna River in Lancaster and York Counties for public conservation and recreation use.

Rotary Club of Lancaster Centennial Fund

The Rotary Centennial Fund is to encourage endowment giving from Rotary members, Rotary families and the community. Funds will be used by the Rotary Club of Lancaster Foundation to support community programs in the City of Lancaster, School District of Lancaster and surrounding communities.

Samaritan Counseling Center Endowment

This fund will support and further the mission of the Center, which is to foster hope and healing through professional counseling, consultation and education while respecting and integrating personal and spiritual values.  The Center strives to ensure that quality professional counseling services are accessible to all people, regardless of ability to pay full fee. Donated funds make it possible for the Center to subsidize fees for those who have little or no financial resources.

Civitas Lancaster Endowment Fund

Founded in 1952, we have contributed over $2,000,000 and countless hours of service to Lancaster community projects like Longs Park, Kids Kamp, Conestoga View Christmas party, and more. Our major fundraiser, the Longs Park Chicken BBQ, is our primary revenue source. This fund is intended to support the operational expenses of The Seftoma Club of Lancaster and support our annual fundraising efforts with a long-term revenue source.

Byrnes Health Education Center Endowment Fund

This fund generates funding annually to underwrite the cost of health education programming to Lancaster County students.

The Historical Society of Cocalico Valley Endowment Fund

This fund supports the activities and projects associated with acquiring, preserving, and interpreting material (artifacts, documents, manuscripts, etc.) pertaining to the rich cultural heritage known as the Cocalico Valley and for making this material accessible to the public.

Tabor Community Services: A. Grace Wenger Endowment

Fund established for the benefit of Tabor Community Services to help people help themselves and solve their housing and financial problems and in the process rebuild their lives and contribute to the health of our community.

Tabor Community Services: Beth Shalom “House of Peace”

Fund established for the benefit of Beth Shalom – House of Peace, the V. Ronald & Diane L. Smith “Home for a New Start” Fund to provide a structured residential program that equips single mothers to learn positive parenting and life skills and to pursue financial responsibility through schooling and employment. Christian faith is at the core of the guiding principles, values and objectives of the program.

Tabor Community Services: Transitional Living Center Fund

Fund established for the benefit of Transitional Living Center (formerly known as Harb-Adult) to provide a transitional shelter program with supportive services for homeless individuals, couples and families who are in need of temporary housing as they transition into permanent housing.

Community Funds

UDS Independent Living Resource Center Fund

The UDS Independent Living Resource Center was created to provide support for people with disabilities, the elderly, veterans and people recovering from surgery in the Lancaster community in navigating the maze of agencies and companies that provide services. It is an innovative one-stop source of information, products, services and programs designed to support their unique needs and help them to live more independently.

Veritas Academy Fund

The purpose of this fund is to help Veritas Academy fulfill its mission by supporting capital and scholarship needs.

Water Street Community Impact Fund

The “I Am Water Street” Community Impact Fund empowers Water Street Mission to make operational and strategic investments to deepen its impact on the Lancaster County community.

YWCA Lancaster Endowment Fund

This fund strengthens the work of the YWCA to fulfill its mission of empowering women, eliminating racism, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all by providing a permanent source of revenue for its endeavors.

Scholarship Funds

Your gift builds on scholarship funds established to provide educational opportunities for local students.

Students may apply for funding on the Scholarships page.

Newsletter Sign Up