Library System of Lancaster County

Public charity · Grantmaker Lancaster, PA EIN: 23-2495408

The Library System of Lancaster County (LSLC) is a public charity based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It supports 14 autonomous member libraries through shared services, coordination, technology, and administrative support, and its 2024 filing describes a countywide network serving more than 545,000 residents.

Library System of Lancaster County at a glance

In short: Library System of Lancaster County gave $1.9M across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $139K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 7% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2024)
$1,949,569
+0.8% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
14
+0.0% vs 2023
Average grant
$139,255
+0.8% vs 2023
Median grant
$94,802
Total assets
$3,277,754
+10.1% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
7% first-time grantees (1 of 14, 2024; small sample)
Primary geography
Pennsylvania (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to Library System of Lancaster County

Contact

Mailing address: 1866 Colonial Village Lane Ste 107, Lancaster, PA 17601
Phone: (717) 207-0500

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Library System of Lancaster County funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Lancaster Public Library: $478KLancaster Public Library$478KManheim Township Public Library: $207KManheim Township PublicLibrary$207KEphrata Public Library: $203KEphrata Public Library$203KLititz Public Library: $150KLititz Public Library$150KElizabethtown Public Library: $140KElizabethtown Public Library$140KIntercourse Library: $134KIntercourse Library$134KMilanof-Schock Library: $98KMilanof-Schock Library$98KQuarryville Library: $91KQuarryville Library$91KAdamstown Area Library: $83KAdamstown Area Library$83KElanco Library: $80KElanco Library$80K

The largest 2024 recipient was Lancaster Public Library ($478K). Together the top 10 received $1.7M.

Grant Size Distribution

72 grants across all recorded years

2<$50K40$50–100K25$100–250K5$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 40 grants of 72 (56%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

LSLC serves member libraries in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Its 2024 filing says the system serves more than 545,000 county residents.

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.

States

Cities

LancasterAdamstownChristianaColumbiaElizabethtownEphrataIntercourseLititzManheimMount JoyNew HollandQuarryvilleStrasburgGapMountville

Is Library System of Lancaster County open to new grantees?

7%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 1 of 14 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $203K; repeat grants $134K. How we count

Medians: $203K first-time, $91K repeat.

  • 93% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+19%). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$500K$1M$1.5M$2M16 grants2020 14 grants2021 14 grants2022 14 grants2023 14 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.6M (2021) to $1.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $1.9M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Lancaster Public Library Lancaster, PAProgram Support$478,003
Manheim Township Public Library Lancaster, PAProgram Support$206,631
Ephrata Public Library Ephrata, PAProgram Support$202,714
Lititz Public Library Lititz, PAProgram Support$149,538
Elizabethtown Public Library Elizabethtown, PAProgram Support$140,040
Intercourse Library Intercourse, PAProgram Support$134,493
Milanof-Schock Library Mount Joy, PAProgram Support$98,245
Quarryville Library Quarryville, PAProgram Support$91,358
Adamstown Area Library Adamstown, PAProgram Support$82,993
Elanco Library New Holland, PAProgram Support$80,249
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

The filing reports the following financials:

The filing type is Form 990 (a public charity).

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2024$3,277,754$5,410,069$4,975,853$1,949,56914$71,861
2023$2,975,983$4,995,843$4,747,409$1,934,94514$50,699
2022$2,533,807$4,646,903$4,641,747$1,633,82014$24,816
2021$2,640,900$4,312,462$4,043,547$1,633,82014$34,685
2020$3,030,642$4,295,988$4,272,491$1,747,82716$32,338

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

LSLC’s stated mission is to provide resources, services, and expertise collaboratively with member libraries so they can effectively serve their communities. Its support includes centralized collection ordering, processing and cataloging; a shared catalog; technology and internet support; cybersecurity; youth services coordination; staff training; delivery and sorting; interlibrary loan; and library consulting. Its 2024 filing also describes IT equipment support, youth and business programs, service promotion, and administrative support.

The organizations listed as receiving support in 2020 include public libraries. Their own stated missions describe services such as educational, recreational, and cultural enrichment; access to information and resources; and lifelong learning. For example, Lancaster Public Library says it connects people with information, ideas, and enriching experiences, while Lititz Public Library says it provides materials, services, and programs for educational, recreational, and cultural enrichment.

Grantmaking

The 2024, 2023, and 2022 filings each report zero grants. Separately, 2020 support listed for seven libraries totals $962,588: Lancaster Public Library received $460,179; Lititz Public Library, $124,077; Elizabethtown Public Library, $103,135; Milanof-Schock Library, $79,737; Adamstown Area Library, $79,066; Moores Memorial Library, $60,302; and Manheim Community Library, $56,092. These are listed awards, not a reported total for all 2020 giving. The provided information does not describe an application process, application materials, restrictions, or a deadline.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Karla Trout as “Executive DI,” Mark Sandblade as IT Manager, Matthew Eberts as President, Dale Hamby as Vice-President, Theia Hofstetter as Treasurer, Marianne Clay Strittmatter as Secretary, and Kristin Staley, Tess Wallace, and Andrew Welk as board members.

Library System of Lancaster County is led by Matthew Eberts, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 2 of 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Matthew Eberts

    President

    Board Member → Vice President, 2022

    Vice President → President, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Karla Trout

    Executive Di

    Executive Director → Executive Di, 2021

    On filings since 2020

    37.5 hrs/week

    $100K (2020) → $129K (2024)

  • Mark Sandblade

    It Manager

    On filings since 2021

    37.5 hrs/week

    $101K (2021) → $106K (2024)

  • Dale Hamby

    Vice President

    President → Vice President, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Marianne Clay Strittmatter

    Secretary

    Board Member → Secretary, 2024

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Andrew Welk

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kristin Staley

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Tess Wallace

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Theia Hoffstetter

    Treasurer

    New on the 2024 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (8)
  • Former: Rob Morgan (2022–2023) — Treasurer
  • Former: Alexandra Godfrey (2023) — Secretary
  • Former: Cody Diehl (2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Alexandra Barbush (2020–2022) — Secretary
  • Former: Jennifer Wood (2020–2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Shel Osborn (2020–2022) — Treasurer
  • Former: Kenneth Kohlmaier (2020–2021) — Vice President
  • Former: Rhonda Allen (2020–2021) — Secretary

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Karla Trout — Executive Di: $129KKarla TroutExecutive Di$129KMark Sandblade — It Manager: $106KMark SandbladeIt Manager$106K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $129K, to Karla Trout (Executive Di). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Library System of Lancaster County

How much does Library System of Lancaster County give each year?

Library System of Lancaster County gave $1.9M across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.9M across 14 grants.

What is Library System of Lancaster County's typical grant size?

Library System of Lancaster County's median grant in 2024 was $94,802, and its average grant was $139,255, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Library System of Lancaster County that year got $203K on average.

Where does Library System of Lancaster County give grants?

Library System of Lancaster County gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lancaster, PA (2 grants).

Does Library System of Lancaster County give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on Library System of Lancaster County's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (14 grants).

Who are Library System of Lancaster County's largest grantees?

Library System of Lancaster County's largest 2024 grantees include Lancaster Public Library ($478,003), Manheim Township Public Library ($206,631) and Ephrata Public Library ($202,714), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 46% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Library System of Lancaster County?

Library System of Lancaster County reported $3.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.4M.

What does Library System of Lancaster County fund?

LSLC’s stated mission is to provide resources, services, and expertise collaboratively with member libraries so they can effectively serve their communities. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Library System of Lancaster County?

Library System of Lancaster County has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

What is Library System of Lancaster County's EIN?

Library System of Lancaster County's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-2495408. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(6)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 22, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 17, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Library System of Lancaster County's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Lancaster County Community Foundation

Lancaster, PA

The Lancaster County Community Foundation funds community-benefit organizations and programs across a range of areas that benefit Lancaster County residents, with some specific funds also serving Cumberland County or municipalities. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,020 to $1,050,000, with a median of $18,695. Its general grant applications are closed and expected to reopen in March 2027; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$184.6M

Grants

373

Total Given

$14.8M

Gooding Group Foundation

Ephrata, PA

Assets

$422K

Grants

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Total Given

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Anne B Sweigart Charitable Foundation

Lancaster, PA

The foundation supports charitable organizations in the Greater Denver and Ephrata areas, funding causes such as social services, education, disability support, libraries, historic preservation, fire companies, churches, and the arts. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $50,000, with a median of $5,000. It accepts requests by letter; the filing states that awards are restricted to charitable organizations in the Denver and Ephrata areas.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$8.2M

Grants

51

Total Given

$354K

The Abigail L Longenecker

Lancaster, PA

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$210K

Grants

9

Total Given

$35K

Pryor E & Arlene R Neuber Charitable Trust

Pittsburgh, PA

The trust supports organizations working in community philanthropy, aging services, arts, STEM education, housing, homelessness services, and youth mentorship, primarily in Pennsylvania, especially Lancaster County, with occasional funding in Illinois. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $180,106, with a median of $15,000. It does not limit grants to preselected organizations; applicants are directed to contact PNC Charitable Trust Grant Review Committee and consult the trust’s website for application materials.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$9.4M

Grants

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Total Given

$469K

The George a and Tina K Georges

Elizabethtown, PA

Assets

$71K

Grants

38

Total Given

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Library System of Lancaster County funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 25, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/library-system-of-lancaster-county-morg_1a4009e80a9447ad8dfe81b2aa05d12a

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_232495408_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Library System of Lancaster County funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/library-system-of-lancaster-county-morg_1a4009e80a9447ad8dfe81b2aa05d12a},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-25. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}

The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.

Figures come from Library System of Lancaster County's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.

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