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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.

  • Fund Category

  • Fund Area of Interest

The Kennedy Family Fund

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.

photo of students doing crafts at a table

The Koser Family Fund

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

Photo of Manheim Library

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.

The Nelson M. Polite & Jean Wilson Polite Foundation

The Nelson M. Polite & Jean Wilson Polite Foundation Fund will increase and maintain the legacy of Nelson Polite and Jean Wilson Polite. 

photo of young children smiling while sitting on a jungle gym

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.

Website header of Lancaster refugee event

The Refugee Fund

This fund will provide support to local organizations working to resettle and support refugee families starting a new life in Lancaster.

photo of a young child sitting in an auditorium

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.

photo with basketball hoop and houses in the background

The Upward Fund

Support Christian-based recreational youth athletic programs from “Upward”.

The Woodstream Foundation Fund

From children’s health care to the arts and other important community giving, Woodstream’s vision is to make where we work a better place to live. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are important to our organization and are an important part of our philanthropic decision making.

Tina Bresnahan College Scholarship Fund

Tina Bresnahan College Scholarship Fund

This fund offers a needs-based tuition scholarship for students from Lancaster County high schools who are empathetic and compassionate. This scholarship will be awarded to students who plan to attend HACC, Stevens School of Technology, or Millersville University.

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.

Group of children sit with a teacher

Veritas Academy Fund

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

Woman hands plate of food over counter

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 website cover

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.