Our Approach
We believe philanthropy is for everyone.
Since 1924, the Lancaster County Community Foundation has partnered with ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
Neighbors committed to caring for each other, visionaries dreaming of a better future, and innovators on the front lines of change. All of them intentionally committing to create a stronger community. All of them philanthropists.
Today, we’re strengthening the movement that was started more than 100 years ago and working together to build a resilient, vibrant Lancaster County for everyone.
We steward more than $265 million in community assets that help support Lancaster County every year. Because these dollars are endowed, we are able to activate a small percentage every year while the majority of the funds remain invested to grow in value. These resources give our community the opportunity to make grants to local organizations today and create a chance for people to invest in Lancaster for future generations.
Learn How a Community Endowment Works
Our work is rooted in these values
For the Lancaster County Community Foundation:
Integrity means that we stay true to our word and are transparent. We are responsible, ethical, and embrace fiduciary excellence.
Relationships means valuing and stewarding the interconnectedness of the varied groups in our community which come together to help us thrive.
Equity means fair access to resources and opportunities. Due to systemic, historical, and persisting societal barriers, some members of our community need more resources than others to achieve their full potential.
Innovation means modeling and amplifying new approaches and creative thinking in our community and beyond. It means embracing failure and learning from it. It is how we position our community for a stronger shared future.
Optimism means we acknowledge the reality of a situation, but choose to believe that the future will be bright.
We believe that in order to embolden an extraordinary community, we must continue to challenge ourselves and continue to learn from you. Together, we can strengthen our shared community for generations.
