Op-Ed: Investing in York County's Nonprofits - York County Community Foundation

Nonprofit organizations are an important part of the strength and vibrancy of York County, driving economic growth, providing essential services, and fostering community well-being. With more than 1,300 nonprofits employing 16% of the local workforce and generating over $6 billion in revenue, their role in the economy is undeniable.

Recognizing the sector’s importance, the York County Community Foundation (YCCF), alongside the Powder Mill Foundation and the Warehime Foundation, initiated a 2023 study to evaluate the nonprofit landscape. Conducted by Sangfroid Strategy, this comprehensive review assessed the sector’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities. The findings, detailed in the report “Engaging Insights: A Comprehensive Review of York County’s Nonprofit Landscape,” found at https://yccf.org/nonprofit-landscape/, offer a roadmap for strengthening this vital sector.

Key Insights from the Report

One striking revelation is the heavy reliance on volunteers. Over 40% of York County nonprofits operate without paid staff, which, while showcasing strong community commitment, also underscores challenges in sustainability and capacity.

Financial constraints further strain the sector. Many organizations struggle with limited funding, hampering their ability to meet growing community needs. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these pressures, as demand for services surged amid resource shortages.

Strategic Responses

In response to these findings, YCCF and its partners are implementing targeted strategies to support the nonprofit sector. These efforts include capacity-building initiatives, leadership development programs, and diversifying funding streams. Central to these initiatives is the newly formed York County Nonprofit Collaborative, a coalition of funders and nonprofit representatives dedicated to advancing key priorities:

Leadership Development: Training future nonprofit leaders and strengthening board governance.
Peer-to-Peer Learning: Promoting collaboration, networking, strategic partnerships, and knowledge sharing among nonprofits and funders.
Grant Application Streamlining: Simplifying the grant process by aligning application questions, sharing grant deadlines via an online calendar, and creating a unified application system for large-scale projects.
Information Clearinghouse: Establishing a centralized resource for grant opportunities, including government and philanthropic funding.

YCCF serves as the backbone organization for this collaborative, ensuring that the group has the administrative support needed to advance this important work.

Members of the collaborative include:

Aaron Anderson, Logos Academy

Lisa Barshinger, White Rose Leadership Institute

Victoria Connor, York County Bar Association & Foundation

Jane Conover, Community Volunteer

Jenny Englerth, Family First Health

Kelley Gibson, Cultural Alliance of York County

Meagan Given, Community Volunteer

David Gonzalez, York County Economic Alliance

Brian Grimm, United Way of York County

Natalee Gunderson, York County Community Foundation

Michael Hady, Powder Mill Foundation

Jan Herrold, Community Volunteer

Steve Jacob, York College of Pennsylvania

Dave Kennedy, Powder Mill Foundation

Sean Kenny, Farm & Natural Lands Trust

Suzanne McConkey, Glatfelter Insurance Group

Dave Meckley, Warehime Foundation

Michelle Mummert, York County Community Foundation

Laura O’Grady, United Way of York County

Wilda Reahm-Alessi, Leadership York

Joyce Santiago, Affordable Housing Advocates

Carolyn Steinhauser, Community Volunteer

Sarah Thomas, York County Community Foundation

A Call to Action

York County’s nonprofits are essential to our community’s prosperity. Yet, their challenges—from financial pressures to capacity constraints—demand innovative, collaborative action. By addressing these issues through strategic funding and capacity-building, we can ensure the sector’s resilience, adaptability, and increased effectiveness.

Investing in York County’s nonprofits is an investment in our collective future. Together, we can strengthen these organizations, empowering them to continue their invaluable work and enriching the lives of the people they employ and serve.

Submitted on behalf of the York County Nonprofit Collaborative Steering Committee