Lancaster Cares COVID-19 Response Fund

Geographic Scope: Lancaster County, PA

Focus Areas:

• Food security
• Housing support
• Rapid response to emerging community needs

Overview:
Lancaster Cares is designed to provide essential support for Lancaster County families during the COVID-19 crisis. A joint effort between the Lancaster County Community Foundation and the United Way of Lancaster County, this fund supports Lancaster residents with food, housing, and rapid response dollars to address emerging issues.

Key Partners:

• Central Pennsylvania Food Bank (food security)
• LancCo MyHome/Lancaster County Homeless Coalition (housing support)
• Tabor Community Services
• Community Action Partnership
• Other local community benefit organizations

Eligibility:

• Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations
• Organizations helping to serve critical needs of residents across Lancaster County
• Preference given to organizations with proven track records in providing community safety nets
• Organizations with ability to work responsively and in coordinated fashion with other agencies

What They Fund:

• Food distribution programs
• Housing assistance and shelter
• Emerging community needs programs
• Programs that can quickly and efficiently turn dollars into resources

What They Don't Fund:

• Individual grants (individuals should access support through 2-1-1 or local organizations)

Background:
Launched jointly in 2020 by the Lancaster County Community Foundation and United Way of Lancaster County. The Community Foundation contributed $250,000 as a lead gift. The fund has raised over $800,000 with major gifts from Rodgers & Associates, Truist Cares Fund, High Foundation, PPL Foundation, Altria, Arconic Foundation, Armstrong Flooring, and more than 500 individuals and businesses.

Application Process

Rolling Basis Application:

1. Applications are open on a rolling basis for the foreseeable future
2. Grants from $1,000 - $10,000 will be awarded weekly

Required Information:
Applications should address how the organization will:

• Quickly and efficiently turn dollars into resources
• Support residents across Lancaster County affected by the pandemic
• Work in coordinated fashion with other agencies

Submission:

• Apply through the Lancaster Cares portal
• Details available at LancoCares.org

Focus Areas for Review:

• Food Access
• Housing Support
• Emerging Needs (mental health, addiction counseling, tele-medicine, outreach to Plain Community, etc.)