Passion Grants
Passion Grants convert The Community Foundation’s donors’ passions into impact through supporting programming in a broad range of focus areas including: human services, the environment, restoring historical structures, clean water, human rights/inclusion, the arts, preschool child development, and projects in Eastern Lancaster County.
The John J. Snyder Fund is a specific type of passion grant meant for the preservation of historical buildings. This fund has a separate application and evaluation criteria.
THIS GRANT APPLICATION IS NOW OPEN. PLEASE VIEW THE INFORMATION SHEET FOR DEADLINES.
These projects turn love of community into lasting change!
See if any of these grants might be right for your organization:
HUMAN SERVICES:
Ada F. Harr Fund:
$10,000 – $32,100
For home health or custodial care for people impacted by illness or disability.
Apply for this grant
EASTERN LANCASTER COUNTY:
Anne C. & W. Franklin Ressler Fund:
$10,000 – $28,800
For community projects based in Eastern Lancaster County. Specifically Eastern Lancaster County (ELANCO), Pequea Valley, and Conestoga Valley School Districts.
HUMAN RIGHTS/INCLUSION:
Patrick Kenney, Jr. Memorial Education Fund & K.L. Shirk Memorial Fund:
$7,500 – $15,000
Supports programs that fight hate and bigotry while promoting social justice.
INFANT, TODDLER, AND PRESCHOOL CHILDREN:
Better Lancaster Fund:
$10,000 – $25,100
Supports early childhood development from birth to age five
NEW in 2024
We have streamlined grantmaking through the Shaping Tomorrow Awards. Please consider the following changes as your organization creates its grant application strategy:
- Dollars from the Lancaster Environmental Fund, the Sam & Verda Taylor Fund (Performing Arts), and Florence Starr Taylor, Lancaster Arts & Culture, and Eloise Aurand Funds (Visual Arts) will supplement the Shaping Tomorrow Awards, meaning we will be awarding MORE than $1,000,000 through this program! Applicants who normally seek funding through these Passion Grants are encouraged to submit their applications through the Shaping Tomorrow Awards process. The Our Planet category opens June 3. Learn More and Apply Here
- Dollars from the Katherine K. Gaeth Fund, which focuses on housing, will now supplement grants offered by the Lancaster County Homelessness Coalition, through its Homelessness Services Grants that will distribute a total of $1,590,000 throughout the county. Applications open annually in January and information will be available here.
ENVIRONMENT:
Lancaster Environmental Fund:
Supports environmental protection, conservation, and education.
VISUAL ARTS:
Florence Starr Taylor Fund for the Visual Arts, Lancaster Arts and Culture Fund, & Eloise Award Fund:
Supports the visual arts.
PERFORMING ARTS:
Sam and Verda Taylor Fund for the Performing Arts:
Supports the performing arts.
