Lancaster County Community Foundation

The Lancaster County Community Foundation was established in 1988 by local leaders to encourage philanthropy and secure resources to address local issues.

The Foundation brings together charitable donors, community leaders and nonprofit organizations to make positive impacts throughout Lancaster County, North Carolina.

• Volunteers unpack grocery donations for HOPE in Lancaster, which provides assistance with food, utilities, rent and mortgage payments. The organization received a grant in 2009 from the Lancaster County Community Foundation's Critical Need Response Fund.

  The Foundation has a local board of trustees made up of community leaders that provide a county-specific perspective to their annual grantmaking program.
• The competitive grant program, funded by a permanent endowment advised by the board, addresses local issues and is directed by funding priorities established by the board.
• Charitable donors, both individuals and businesses, have many options for supporting their favorite nonprofit organizations through the Lancaster County Community Foundation while receiving the maximum tax deductibility. Donors can also support the educational needs of students through scholarship funds.
• Nonprofit organizations address local issues and receive grants from the Lancaster County Foundation in support of the board’s funding priorities. The back office charitable services and fund administration services of the Foundation can also be utilized by nonprofit organizations.

The Lancaster County Community Foundation is an affiliate of Foundation For The Carolinas—a philanthropic and financial services organization serving 13 counties in North and South Carolina, which provides experienced staff, administrative support and fiduciary management. 

Lancaster Critical Need Response Fund

As the economic downturn continues to affect the region, more and more residents face dire circumstances. In response to this growing crisis, the Lancaster County Community Foundation established a Critical Need Response Fund to help shelter, feed, clothe and keep warm Lancaster County residents. Read more about the success of this fundraising effort, which concluded in April 2009.