Lancaster Cares COVID-19 Response Fund

Lancaster Cares COVID-19 Response Fund

Overview: Lancaster Cares is designed to provide essential support for Lancaster families during the COVID-19 crisis. A joint response from 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 community issues.

Funding Areas

• Food Security: Expand capacity of food distribution organizations
• Housing Support: Assistance for families facing eviction or foreclosure; support for homeless populations
• Emerging Community Needs: Support for critical needs of residents across Lancaster County affected by the pandemic

Award Amounts

Grants from $1,000 - $10,000 awarded on a rolling/weekly basis

Eligible Applicants

• Nonprofit 501c3 organizations helping to serve critical needs of residents across Lancaster County
• Community benefit organizations with proven track records in providing community safety nets
• Organizations able to work responsively and in coordinated fashion with other agencies

Geographic Scope

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Application Process

• Applications are open on a rolling basis
• Organizations must demonstrate ability to turn dollars into resources quickly and efficiently
• Programs should address food security, housing, or emerging critical needs

Note on Individual Assistance

The fund does NOT make grants directly to individuals. People seeking support should contact:
• 2-1-1 for resource referrals
• Tabor Community Services / Lancaster Housing and Opportunity Partnership Resource Guide
• United Way of Lancaster County for food assistance location map

Key Partners

• Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
• LancCo MyHome (Lancaster County Homeless Coalition)
• Tabor Community Services
• Community Action Partnership
• Workforce Development Board
• City of Lancaster
• Lancaster County Commissioners
• United Way of Lancaster County
• Lancaster County Community Foundation

Contact Information

Lancaster County Community Foundation 24 W King St Suite 201 Lancaster, PA 17603 (717) 397-1629 lancfound.org

Donation Website: LancoCares.org

Application Process

1. Application Portal: Applications available on a rolling basis
2. Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a nonprofit 501c3 organization
- Must serve critical needs of Lancaster County residents
- Must demonstrate ability to quickly and efficiently turn funding into resources
3. Funding Areas: Select from:
- Food access programs
- Housing support programs
- Emerging community needs
4. Award Timeline: Grants awarded weekly on a rolling basis
5. Funding Levels: Grants range from $1,000 - $10,000

Application Details

While specific application materials/questions are not detailed in the website content, the fund accepts applications focused on demonstrating:
• Organization's capacity to serve community members quickly
• How funding will address food, housing, or emerging needs
• Coordination with other agencies
• Proven track record in community service (preferred)