Take Part in ExtraGive, Lancaster County’s Largest Day of Giving
This Op-Ed was published in LNP on Sunday, November 16, 2025
You can read the original here.
ExtraGive is this Friday, Nov. 21. Our community’s annual celebration of giving offers a chance for us to come together and take meaningful local action to support our neighbors across Lancaster County.
Many local organizations working on the front lines of impact have made clear that there is increased need in our community this year. We’ve seen it ourselves, too. Cost pressures of housing, food, utilities, and childcare. Environmental and agricultural stewardship projects halted. Disruptions in healthcare, SNAP, and other state and federal supports.
Fortunately, there are 450 organizations participating in ExtraGive that not only help meet basic needs, but also provide upstream interventions, innovative programming, and even catalyze joy and connection that builds resilience throughout our community.
Whether your passion lies with food and housing security, or environmental conservation, animal welfare or youth programs, the arts, faith or history, there are organizations doing critical work throughout the region that you can learn about and support during Lancaster County’s largest day of online giving.
Since 2012, our community has embraced the spirit of ExtraGive as an invitation to help care for one another. Our gifts are more than a donation. They are a way to be part of something bigger than ourselves, to come together, celebrate impactful organizations, and support something we all have in common — Lancaster County. Each donation over the past 13 giving days, whether it was $10 or $10,000, has helped 40,000 of us raise $110 million for more than 500 organizations.
That’s tens of thousands of people choosing to work together to meet the moment and create positive impact for their neighbors.
If you are new to ExtraGive, the process is simple. Start by visiting ExtraGive.org. Learn about hundreds of local organizations making impact. Then, beginning at 12:01 a.m. and for 24 hours only, donate online to one or more of the causes you care about and each donation will be stretched by a pool and prizes of nearly half a million dollars. The minimum donation is $10.
The “extra” stretch pool and prizes — made possible through the generosity of sponsors High Foundation, Murry Foundation and others — means every donation, no matter the size, goes the extra mile for causes you care about. The Lancaster County Community Foundation is proud to host and support ExtraGive and has never taken a penny from the event.
ExtraGive is a chance to put positive energy into the world, and our community has fun doing it. From Lititz to Columbia, Paradise to Quarryville and everywhere in between, organizations and businesses are hosting gatherings to connect with each other and celebrate together. Find an event near you or plan to join ExtraGive Fest, a free, family-friendly celebration of giving at the Lancaster Marriott and Lancaster County Convention Center. From 7 p.m. to midnight Friday, enjoy live music and dancing, giving stations, photo opportunities, silent disco, “Lanc-Brite” collaborative art and the countdown to the final giving totals at midnight.
Here in Lancaster County, we’re known for our tradition of generosity. That’s why we kick off the giving season by putting our neighbors and our community first. We invite you to take some time this week to consider how you might support organizations working hard to meet increasing needs. Visit extragive.org to learn about the work of hundreds of local causes. Talk with your family, friends and neighbors about what is important to you. Use your voice — or social media platforms — to share about the good work your favorite organizations are doing. And, if you can, on Friday, visit extragive.org and make a donation.
Whatever you choose, we invite you to be part of ExtraGive and come together to celebrate and support our shared community. As Lancaster County has shown over time, when we work together, we can do extraordinary things.
Tracy Cutler, Executive Vice President
Lancaster County Community Foundation
