BY THE FOR THE COMMUNITY COMMUNITY CREATED
IN 1924, SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY HAPPENED.
Community-based philanthropy came to Lancaster County.
This new and innovative idea was the starting point for what became the Lancaster County Community Foundation. Since then, local visionaries, changemakers, and philanthropists have committed to creating a stronger community together.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION CARES FOR $269 MILLION IN ENDOWED ASSETS TO SUPPORT LANCASTER COUNTY.
But that’s not the whole story.
WE INSPIRE
GIVING WE LOOK FORWARD WITH
by helping individuals, families, and organizations support the causes they’re passionate about.
by simultaneously meeting today’s needs and shaping our shared tomorrow.
HOW IT WORKS
Our community’s endowment provides ongoing support because funds are pooled and invested to grow in a sustainable way. Think of it like an orchard, where each fund is a tree. As the fund grows, a portion of that growth—the fruit— becomes available for use while the principal—the tree—remains. Each year, it yields millions of dollars in grants, scholarships, and resources that meet emerging needs and create new opportunities.
Scan to learn more about how our community’s endowment works.
2025 AT A GLANCE
OUR SHARED IMPACT
Scan to read more about recent impact.
Community benefit organizations bring innovative ideas and experience. Students bring focus and determination. Donors bring generosity and vision. And we bring the power of endowment to support them all.
Here are some recent ways the community’s endowment has met the moment and worked to shape a resilient future.
A MARKET ON THE MOVE
To address gaps in food access across the region, Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County designed a traveling market. With support from a Lancaster Thrives Together grant, local farmers are connected to neighborhoods that don’t have easy access to affordable produce.
CONNECTING NEW NEIGHBORS WITH QUALITY HOMES
ReHome Marketplace is an innovative approach to community building. By matching refugees with local housing, the website uses modern technology to honor Lancaster County’s rich heritage of welcome. A grant, ExtraGive donations, and support from a donor advised fund held at the Community Foundation combined to amplify ReHome’s impact.
EXTRAGIVE
EDUCATION IN ACTION
Sixth-grade students from School District of Lancaster get to put their education in action at NorthBay Adventure Camp. This immersive three-day program combines science and character development in an outdoor environment. Supported through a Lancaster Environmental Fund grant, every student is invited to participate, including those who may need special accomodation.
The Community Foundation’s signature event has been bringing people together to celebrate generosity since 2012. In just 14 days of giving, ExtraGive has raised over $120 million for more than 500 organizations and engaged more than 40,000 donors across Lancaster County and beyond.
INFORMATION CREATES CONNECTION
Accessible, clear, and accurate information builds trust and connection in a community. We worked with a local journalist to learn directly from organizations on the front lines how recent federal initiatives will impact us here in Lancaster County. Stories and data were compiled and shared with the public for free.
2025 IMPACT FOCUS AREAS
Dollars from competitive grants, donor advised funds, scholarships, and more, create lasting impact throughout Lancaster County.
Poverty Alleviation & Economic Development
Human Services & Food Security
Education & Scholarships
Arts & Culture
Healthcare & Mental Health Housing & Homelessness
Animal Related
Environmental & Agriculture
Faith Communities & Religion
Youth Development
Senior Living & Elder Care
WHAT MAKES A COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT SO POWERFUL? ALL OF US.
Our community is stronger when we all have the chance to bring our perspectives, interests, and ideas to the table.
Since 1924, we’ve been working with people throughout Lancaster County to build the community’s endowment, a unique resource that helps us care for each other and our shared spaces.
“There’s no amount too small. Multiple small amounts can be combined together, and the fund can grow!”
Established by a local group of Asian-Indian professionals, Aastha Horizons Fund is a giving circle empowering individuals and families to pool resources and intentionally contribute back to Lancaster County. Combining the power of collective philanthropy with hours of volunteer service, they’ve impacted organizations on the frontlines of change like Milagro House, Lancaster Science Factory, Power Packs, and more.
“I have a passion for helping people and want to be able to help others who have the same passion and drive as I do.”
As a mental health therapist, Mike dedicates himself to serving others. Because that’s a value he’s built his life around, he planned to establish two funds after his lifetime: one to support students pursuing a career in psychology and social work, and another for those passionate about animal care and veterinary medicine.
“I’m planting the seed now and growing it for the future so I have those funds available to give to the causes I care about.”
Diana is part of the 10th generation of her family to live in Lancaster County. This community has helped shape who she is today, and her hope is to do the same thing for the next generation. She established a donor advised fund to focus her giving on environmental and housing initiatives throughout the county, today and long into the future.
AASTHA HORIZONS
MIKE BRINKOS
GROWING TOGETHER
In the last 5 years, 132 new funds have been established at the Community Foundation.
That’s 132 individuals, organizations, or collaborative groups that have harnessed the power of endowment to care for our shared community, now and into the future.
THE PAST 5 YEARS OF GROWTH
Scan to explore the funds that make up the community’s endowment.
UNLEASH THE GOOD INSIDE YOU
The future is up to all of us. No matter your interests, your income, or your ability, if you care about Lancaster County, there’s a place for you.
Scan to explore ways you can get involved.
Did you know that most grant dollars distributed each year are directed by the community? Many funds are managed by the individuals, organizations, or businesses that established them. Others are powered by a collective of people focused on a common cause. Each fund in the endowment impacts our community in its own unique way. You can contribute to an existing fund, or establish your own, now or after your lifetime.
VOLUNTEER
Your voice has power. Our competitive grants are reviewed and decided by trained volunteers throughout Lancaster County. When you share your experience, perspective, and wisdom, you make the community stronger.
WEAVE
As a Community Host in partnership with Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute, we are launching a four-year effort to find, support, and celebrate everyday neighbors who are building trust, nurturing belonging, and weaving the social fabric in our community. The Weaver Awards are a way we can amplify and support the local people making good things happen in neighborhoods throughout the county through grants that will help grow their impact and spark new connections.
Community Foundation logo and mailing address
Lancfound.org – icons for facebook, insta, linkedin
OUR TEAM
Sam Bressi President & CEO
Tracy Cutler Executive Vice President
Clinton Bublitz Senior Philanthropic Officer
Marie Cleaves Rothacker Senior Philanthropic Officer
Rachael Hartman Program Officer
Nathan Hoover Controller
Prakash Khadka Finance & Development Assistant
Wayne Groff Chief Financial Officer
Kim Shorter Chief Operating Officer
Dave Koser Director of Programs
Terrie Kreis Executive Coordinator
Ashlinn Masland-Sarani Director of Philanthropy
Fran Rodriguez Senior Program Officer
Valentina Schade Communications Manager